Inside Aashna Hegde and Aditya Kumar's Intimate Affair in The Wild

In the quiet embrace of Jim Corbett’s wilderness, where mornings unfold to birdsong and evenings settle into golden stillness, influencer and digital content creator Aashna Hegde married her longtime partner, Aditya Kumar. And it was a celebration that felt as intimate as it was intentional. Hosted at Namah Resort, the three-day wedding in December, brought together two cultures, two families, and two distinct sensibilities, all stitched together by deep friendship, thoughtful planning, and a shared love for beauty that is as emotional as it is aesthetic.

Their story began simply, like all the best love stories do. Introduced through common friends, Aditya eventually became a roommate within the same circle, slowly moving from a familiar presence to an indispensable one. “We became really good friends over two years, and then the rest is history,” Aashna says. That foundation of friendship quietly shaped everything that followed, including the wedding itself, which was intimate, warm, and designed around the people who mattered most.

Planning came naturally to the couple, who instinctively divided responsibilities according to their strengths. Aditya took charge of logistics, overseeing hospitality, travel, the bar, and entertainment, ensuring every guest felt cared for. Aashna, true to her creative instincts, helmed the visual universe of the wedding, from décor and invitations to the finer details of styling and outfits. “It helped having our areas, but we were both still very much in sync with the decisions we were making,” she shares. The result was a celebration that flowed seamlessly, balancing precision with personality.

Set against Jim Corbett’s tranquil landscape, the wedding honoured both South Indian and North Indian traditions, unfolding like a carefully composed narrative of heritage and modernity. Temple-inspired aesthetics and traditional draping met the emotional gravitas of North Indian pheras, creating a deeply personal two-states union that celebrated legacy without feeling prescriptive.

Fashion played a pivotal role throughout the celebrations, but always with sentiment at its core. For the South Indian ceremony, Aashna wore a custom handwoven Kanjivaram sari by Jigar Mali, a luminous dhoop-chaau creation that shifted hues with the light. More than a visual masterpiece, the sari carried profound emotional weight. It was delicately embroidered with the names of the women who shaped Aashna’s world, including her nani [maternal grandmother], masi [aunt], mother, and sisters, with space intentionally left open for generations yet to come.

The Mehendi brought a bold shift in mood. Embracing contemporary exuberance, Aashna chose a striking, fully mirrored red ensemble by Anushka Khanna. For the Punjabi wedding ceremony, Aashna stepped into a bespoke Rimple & Harpreet Couture lehenga, and Aditya complemented her in custom Rimple & Harpreet ensembles, while both wore jewels from The Rah Jewels, with Aashna’s kaleeras custom-made by Make My Chooda. The celebrations culminated in a dreamy cocktail evening, where Aashna opted for a pristine white ensemble by Label Ankita Jain, channelling a modern church-wedding aesthetic. Crafted in luxurious bridal silk and lace with crystallised detailing, the look was elevated by a chic short face veil by Amama Jewels. Aditya wore a custom-tailored suit by Dressage Inc., rounding off the evening with understated elegance. Fourfold Pictures captured the mood with an editorial lens, just as Aashna had envisioned. “I wanted the pictures to feel candid yet editorial,” she explains. “We did some cool portraits for all our outfits, and once that was done, it was less posing and more just what was happening in the moment.” That philosophy echoes throughout the wedding, which felt beautifully styled yet never staged.

When asked about their favourite moment, neither points to a single ceremony or detail. Instead, it is the aftermath that lingers most. Hearing how much fun everyone had stands out for them. Creating an intimate celebration where loved ones felt at ease was a top priority, and knowing it translated so effortlessly has been the most rewarding takeaway.

Now, as they step into married life, their dreams are disarmingly simple. Aditya imagines a life filled with travel, family, laughter, and good food. For Aashna, the joy lies in the everyday. “Since childhood, more than getting married, I’ve dreamed of having a home with someone I love,” she shares. “Now we get to cook for each other, host our loved ones, build routines, try new hobbies, and go on new adventures together. We honestly just enjoy each other’s company a lot.”

It is a sentiment that feels entirely fitting for a woman who has built a career around authenticity and storytelling. As one of India’s most recognisable fashion and lifestyle creators, Aashna Hegde is known for her refined visual language and cultural relevance, whether through her podcast The Dinner Party, her sustainable thrift venture ‘Out of Stock’, or her deeply engaged digital community. Her wedding, much like her work, was an extension of that voice. It was intentional, expressive, and grounded in meaning.

In the end, this was not just a meeting of two cultures or a showcase of couture. It was a celebration of companionship, care, and the quiet joy of building a life together. And in the heart of the forest, surrounded by those they love most, Aashna and Aditya began exactly where they always had, as best friends choosing each other.

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Planner: Ferris Wheel Diaries

Photography: Four-Fold Pictures

Styled by: Dolly Baruah

Makeup, Hair, and Draping: Shradha Luthra