A Treadmill Baraat And An Usha Uthup Concert: Inside Amala And Aditya’s Wedding

Some love stories take years to come full circle. For Amala and Aditya, the journey began in the 6th grade in Mumbai and wove its way through different cities, schools, and life chapters, all leading back to each other.

Both Amala and Aditya had relocated to Mumbai at the same time, and fate kept putting them in each other’s path over the years. Throughout middle and high school, their bond deepened over a mutual love for music.  The transition from friends to something more happened, as Amala puts it, organically. “We approached dating with a lot of care,” she shares. “There was this calm certainty between us—like, this is the person I am meant to do life with.”

What might have felt like a leap for others came naturally to them. The emotional intimacy they shared made it easy to be open about their feelings, and there was never any second-guessing. “I always tell my friends the cliché, ‘When you know, you know,’” Amala says. “And with Adi, I truly did.”

One thread that joined them together was music. From school musicals and jazz bands to international music trips, the rhythm of their relationship was steady and strong. Even when their paths diverged, music was what brought them back together. After separating to study at different universities in the US, Amala and Aditya reunited in New York and began recording song covers together. It’s no surprise that when Aditya began planning his proposal years later, music played a central role.

A Proposal In Perfect Harmony

When it came time to propose, Aditya knew music had to play a starring role. For their four-year anniversary, he planned an entire day around their shared passion. The celebration began with a casual jam session, a nod to the countless hours they’d spent making music together since their school days, followed by plans for a Japanese dinner in the city, their favourite cuisine.

“Shortly into our jam session, two musicians crashed the party to ‘scope out the space for an upcoming concert’. Adi suggested we all jam together. After performing Hallelujah, Valerie, and I’m Yours, the musicians just ‘happened to know’ our favourite song, a little-known tune called ‘Float’ by the band HARBOUR,” says Amala. She recalls being stunned. “My eyes became saucers. I clasped my hands over my mouth. I couldn’t believe it!” As the song ended, Aditya got on one knee and asked her to marry him.

Perfectly In Balance

While their shared history and love for music laid the foundation for their relationship, it’s their differences that continue to bring vibrancy and depth to their marriage. “We’re the epitome of the saying, ‘opposites attract,’” says Amala.

But whether they’re arguing about the AC temperature or challenging each other to be better, there’s an undeniable synergy between them. “At the core of it, our relationship is built on deep respect and a shared sense of curiosity, for the world and for each other,” says Amala, “We’ve realised we don’t need to be the same to be in sync. And honestly, that just makes everything more fun.”

A Wedding Full of Love, Energy, and Drama

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that when it came to envisioning their dream wedding, Amala and Aditya had very different ideas. From the very start, it was clear that their personalities would influence the type of celebration they’d each imagined.

Back in 2020, during Amala’s older sister’s small backyard wedding, Aditya had turned to Amala and commented, “That was beautiful. So raw, none of the frills, just pure love.” At the time, they had only been dating for a few months, so Amala simply smiled and nodded. What she didn’t reveal was that, while she appreciated the simplicity, she had always dreamed of a grand, over-the-top, Big Fat Indian Wedding for herself.

A few years into their relationship, the couple attended Aditya’s sister’s stunning wedding in Udaipur, Amala could no longer hide her excitement. She recalls turning to Aditya and saying, “This is exactly the kind of wedding I’ve always imagined.” And when it came time to plan their own wedding, Aditya offered the perfect answer when their families asked what kind of celebration they wanted: “Whatever Amala wants!”

A Venue Fit for Royalty

Choosing the venue for their wedding was an easy decision for Amala and Aditya — from the start, they knew they wanted to marry at Umaid Bhawan Palace. The palace’s grandeur, historical significance, and royal legacy made it the perfect destination for such a momentous occasion.

“Our wedding ceremony took place in the Baradari Lawn, under open skies with the silhouette of the palace as our backdrop. It was a breathtakingly romantic setting, and we made a few key choices that made it feel even more special,” says Amala, “We oriented our mandap westward — something you don’t often see — so the palace itself would frame the ceremony. After checking with our pandit, we were thrilled to go ahead with this orientation. The photos from that moment are among our favourites. We also chose amphitheatre-style seating around the mandap, ensuring that every single guest had a clear view.”

A Musical Celebration Like No Other

Music was more than just a theme at Amala and Aditya’s wedding; it was the heartbeat of their celebration. From the very first notes to the final encore, their wedding weekend was filled with performances that reflected their shared passion for music. Five incredible artists and bands, along with two powerhouse DJs, brought an infectious energy to every event.

Following their prayers, the powerful voice of renowned Rajasthani folk singer Kutle Khan resonated across the grand palace façade, setting the tone for the evening. The Carnival Brunch saw internationally renowned Knights Club deliver an interactive musical set that got everyone on their feet, while the Sangeet was kicked off by The Copycats, a troupe known for their tribute performances of iconic songs across genres.

Music has always been a cornerstone of Aditya’s life. Coming from a musical family, his grand-aunt is none other than the Queen of Indian Pop, Usha Uthup. “Growing up, Adi often performed with his Usha Masi, even going on national television as a four-year-old on the dance competition show, Boogie Woogie, when Usha Masi was a guest judge. He danced to the song Badshah, and Usha Masi has always called Adi her Badshah since!”

One of the most memorable moments of the wedding, according to the couple, was when they performed La Vie en Rose for their Garden Party-themed welcome lunch, alongside Usha Uthup and his grandmother. The magic didn’t stop there—the legendary singer also sang at multiple functions, including a powerful duet with Kutle Khan post-wedding, a moment that was pure musical magic.

It’s All In The Details

For Amala, her wedding was not just a celebration of love, but also a beautiful way to honour her mother’s legacy. “My mom has always been my fashion icon,” says Amala, “Growing up, I had the absolute privilege of raiding her closet and being complimented on ‘my’ outfits. She has this effortless way of blending current fashion trends with timeless elegance, and I’ve always admired that.”

To honour her mother in a meaningful way, Amala chose to wear her mother’s wedding lehenga for the chooda ceremony. The lehenga, 36 years old, fit her perfectly without any alterations. “It fit like it was made for me. When I put it on, she and I just stared at each other, too stunned to speak. It felt like destiny.”

Another detail that stood out from their wedding was the groom’s choice to ditch the traditional horse or car for the baraat in favour of a treadmill! 

“Running has become a core part of who I am, so it felt only right to find a way to reflect that during our wedding,” says Aditya, “I got into it during the pandemic, just to break up my usual weightlifting routine, but it quickly became a passion that stuck.”

He continues, “So when we started talking about the baraat, I thought — why not make an entrance that’s both meaningful and totally unexpected? The idea of showing up on a treadmill felt bold and different, and most importantly, it felt personal. We decided to take things a step further and turn the baraat into a celebration for everyone. Traditionally, it’s just the groom’s side, but we invited both sides of the family to join in. It turned into a huge gathering. For many of our friends, it was their first time experiencing a baraat, and they jumped in like seasoned pros.”

A Celebration Like None Other

One of the standout moments for both Amala and Aditya was their “Sporty vs. Stylish” celebration party, which took place right after their pheras. This event was a playful and personal reflection of both of their passions: Aditya’s love for sports and Amala’s penchant for fashion.

Instead of the traditional ‘bride’s side’ and ‘groom’s side’, they decided to ask their guests to dress according to what resonated more with them: sporty or stylish. The result was an incredible mix of sleek black-tie outfits alongside sporty gear, with jerseys and sequins, sneakers and stilettos, making for an unforgettable atmosphere. Amala especially recalls how her father and his friends wore matching cricket uniforms, down to the hats and accessories, creating a truly fun and heartwarming moment.

The First Look

When it came time to meet at the altar, the emotions were overwhelming for both Amala and Aditya. “It was the most surreal feeling in the world. As I walked down the grand steps toward Adi, who was waiting at the varmala stage, my mind was laser-focused on staying graceful, even though my knees were wobbling with nerves,” recalls Amala, "When I reached the landing, my parents took my hands and gently guided me toward Adi. With their reassuring presence, I looked up and took in the sight of Adi. Tears were already streaming down his face, and he looked every bit the regal groom in his exquisite sherwani.”

“What’s incredible is that during the varmala exchange, we both experienced this almost cinematic tunnel vision. We genuinely couldn’t see or hear anything else — not the soaring music, the endless sparklers, the cheers of our loved ones.”

Wedding Wardrobe Tales

Amala and Aditya’s wedding wardrobe told a story as rich and layered as their celebration itself. While the bride’s choice of wearing her mother’s lehenga was undoubtedly one of the most special things about the wedding, the couple’s wedding wardrobe was one for the books.

For the intimate Ganesh Puja at home, Amala wore Raw Mango while Aditya chose Arjan Dugal. The joint haldi saw the couple in sunny hues, with Amala in Prisho and Aditya in Asuka. At the mehndi, she opted for a vibrant Anita Dongre creation, while he sported Pratap. For the candlelit dinner, Amala chose a draped Tarun Tahiliani ensemble and Aditya complemented her in a sharp Paul Smith suit.

The garden party saw her in a custom NIMAI look, while Aditya wore Rahul Mishra. Their playful ‘Sporty vs Stylish’ celebration party featured Amala once again in a custom NIMAI outfit, and Aditya in Lacoste. At the Carnival Brunch, Amala wore Arpita Mehta and Aditya picked Jayesh & Kaajal Shah outfit. For the sangeet, the bride dazzled in Shyamal & Bhumika, while he turned to Kunal Rawal. For the main wedding ceremony, Amala picked a Manish Malhotra lehenga, while Aditya chose a Tarun Tahiliani sherwani.

Behind-the-Scenes Moments of Love and Laughter

As much as the grand ceremonies were memorable, some of the most cherished moments were those that took place quietly behind the scenes. Amala recalls one such moment before her bridal entry. While Aditya was enjoying his baraat, Amala was soaking in the golden hour light on the iconic steps of Umaid Bhawan. “It was one of those rare, still moments where everything felt suspended in time,” she shares. 

Reflecting on their wedding, Amala and Aditya learned that they truly complement each other in the most unexpected ways. “Adi is my rock, and I am his rocket,” says Amala, “Throughout the wedding planning process, there were plenty of moments that could’ve easily overwhelmed me as the bride, but Adi kept me fully grounded with his quiet confidence and calm clarity. He has this amazing ability to bring perspective, even during chaos.”

A New Chapter, A New Adventure

As they step into this new chapter of their lives, Amala and Aditya feel a deeper sense of connection and purpose. “Even though day-to-day life hasn’t changed much — we already lived together in New York before getting married — we do feel a deeper sense of sacredness that has cemented our bond. We’ve always been best friends, but now we feel like a truly unbreakable team,” says Amala.

With the wedding planning now behind them, they’re excited to reclaim their time and focus on what truly matters: shared passions, quality moments with loved ones, and adventures. Music and fitness, two things they’ve always loved, will take centre stage once again. “We’re also thrilled to travel, starting with Berlin this September for Adi’s next marathon!” says Amala, eagerly looking forward to the new memories they’ll create together.

Here’s wishing the couple a lifetime of happiness!