Aahana S Kumra Reveals the Mood Board Behind Her Dream Wedding

"I’ve always imagined my wedding would take place far, far away from Bombay—somewhere in the mountains,” Aahana tells Manifest. “There’s something so calming about the hills. Perhaps it could be held at a retreat with open skies, surrounded by nature that feels grounding and magical. I’d love for it to be more than just a celebration.” And the guest list would include “people closest to me. My family and childhood friends who’ve known me for many years,” Aahana adds. “I am not a fan of big, over-the-top weddings. I value warmth and laughter. For me, the joy of a wedding lies in real, unstaged moments that bring a smile to one’s face.” The actor has a clear idea of what her big day would be like. “I want to wake up surrounded by my loved ones, and maybe go on a small trek in the morning. We could even camp under the stars one night in the run-up to the wedding.”

Aahana also values rituals, as they carry a sense of nostalgia. “I love Punjabi sangeets. They are usually very chaotic, but also beautiful—with everyone dancing, laughing, and having a great time.” One of her favourite memories are from her sister’s mehendi function. “It was at my chacha’s [paternal uncle’s] farmhouse in Delhi, during wintertime, and it was warm and intimate...I want the same energy at my wedding.” The decor, too, will be rooted in nature. “I want it to feel organic, like it belongs to the landscape,” she explains. “Local mountain flowers and the fragrances I grew up with—mogra, rajnigandha, desi gulab, raat ki rani. Those scents feel like home.”

She envisions a softly-lit tent with fairy lights woven through the space, and a mandap that glows gently against the mountains. And when the night draws in, she dreams of her pheras taking place under a canopy of stars. The spirit of the mountains will inspire the palette of her ensemble. “I see soft pastels everywhere. Gentle pinks, light yellows, powder blues—everything open to the sunlight, with the hills doing most of the work. I’d opt for a pastel lehenga: graceful, understated, timeless.” Aahana’s bridal beauty look will mirror the ease and unforced elegance of the day. “Minimal make-up suits me best, so I’d opt for fresh, dewy skin with just a hint of colour on my cheeks and lips,” she says, adding, “I love the idea of a long braid threaded with fresh flowers. And I’ll finish the look with one of my favourite Gucci fragrances, Gorgeous Gardenia.

It’s soft floral fragrance with notes of jasmine, rose, and a whisper of musk, and it lingers without feeling overpowering.” For her bridal entry, Aahana would take the traditional route with a phoolon ki chaadar. “I’ve always loved that part—that moment when the bride walks in under a canopy of flowers is such a beautiful symbol of love and protection.” Many couples complain that they didn’t have fun at their own wedding, but Aahana is clear that isn’t going to be her. “I don’t want to rush through my wedding. I am happy with fewer functions, but they’ll all be filled with meaning. I want to be able to spend time with my family, eat and dance, and make memories for a lifetime, you know,” she says. And food is a big part of that as

Aahana imagines a delightfully indulgent feast. “I love food,” she laughs. “There will definitely be pani puri. And since I’m from Lucknow, we can’t not have galouti kebabs, biryani, and chaat… I want that nawabi andaaz.” And to honour her Punjabi roots, the menu would feature the famous Pandara Road-style butter chicken and dal makhani. “And we would most certainly have Southeast Asian fare—I love it too much to skip it at the wedding.” When it comes to her signature cocktail, she prefers something timeless. “A tequila drink with elderflower and lime,” she says without hesitation. And the moment she looks forward to most isn’t grand or orchestrated. “I want to feel love,” she says softly. “Real, overflowing love from my partner, family, and friends. I want to feel a sense of magic…something I’ll remember forever.”