Personalised Rituals and Blended Cultures: Inside Priyanka and Aayush’s Wedding

Priyanka Kancharla and Aayush Agarwal’s love story began the way the most beautiful ones start: from deep friendship. “Our first date wasn’t typical,” recalls Priyanka, “After we decided to start dating, Aayush came to Colorado. On the first day of his visit, we took a day trip to Estes Park, near Rocky Mountain National Park. We were surrounded by nature, enjoyed beautiful views, took a walk along a river, and finished the day exploring Boulder. We expected dating to be possibly awkward, having been friends for so long, but the progression was a surprisingly natural one. The foundation of friendship brought a deep sense of comfort to both of us.”

When it came to taking the next steps in their relationship, the decision was as easy as it was comfortable. “Priyanka was one of the smartest people I knew, and she was also very unassuming. Over time, I realised that our friendship was exactly what I wanted more of in a partner. Someone patient, caring, interesting, intelligent, and who isn't afraid to challenge my beliefs,” says Aayush.

After a quiet proposal, the two got to planning their wedding. Like most things in their life up till that point, the couple was on the same page about everything. Both Priyanka and Aayush wanted an intimate outdoor wedding and a ceremony that resonated with their values.

“We spent a lot of time researching the significance behind each ceremony and then had thoughtful conversations with our pandit about how we would like to customise and bring them to life in a way that resonated with us,” says Aayush, “For instance, instead of the traditional Kanyadaan, we included the Kanya and Vara Sweekaranam, which symbolises the mutual acceptance of the bride and groom into each other’s families.”

The couple enlisted the help of Priyanka’s sister Nanditha, and her event management company Auguri Events, to plan their dream intimate outdoor wedding at Bengaluru’s Amita Rasa. 

Since Priyanka and Aayush had decided to make the wedding rituals their own, a blending of their distinct cultural identities was inevitable. Aayush’s characteristic North Indian style of celebration met Priyanka’s pared-back Telugu rituals halfway beautifully. 

When asked about what wedding ritual from the other’s culture they were excited to adopt for their nuptials, Priyanka said, “I was especially excited about the Haldi. In South Indian tradition, it's usually done separately at the bride’s and groom’s homes, but we wanted a shared experience. Doing the Haldi side by side made it really special—and a lot of fun. I also really enjoyed the Varmala; it was a beautiful moment.”

Aayush, too, was looking forward to the new rituals he and his family would take part in at the wedding.

“I was excited for the core South Indian wedding rituals, like the toe ring ceremony, Jeelakarra Bellam, and Talambralu. For many of our guests and some family members, it was their first time experiencing these traditions. It was great to see them approach the new elements with curiosity and enjoy the fusion.”

With Nanditha taking care of the nitty-gritty of the planning, the couple had a gala time picking out their outfits. The bride and groom went with Anushree Reddy for the main wedding ceremony, with Priyanka wearing a pink sari and Aayush going for an ivory sherwani. For the cocktail night, Priyanka chose a stunning Amit Aggarwal creation, while the groom went with a custom Zegna suit with his name engraved on it. “Across all the events, we made sure our outfits complemented each other’s—not just in colour, but in mood and style,” says Aayush.

While there were many moments throughout the wedding that the couple hold close to their hearts, both have one special memory that they will cherish for the rest of their lives. “My favourite moment from our wedding day was watching Aayush spontaneously start dancing to the song ‘Duniya’ during our Varmala ceremony. It was quite unexpected and lightened up the mood!” says Priyanka. For Aayush, it was seeing Priyanka for the first time at the mandap. “There was the emotional moment during the Jeelakaraa Bellam ceremony when the Addutera, the traditional cloth partition, was finally removed, allowing me to see Priyanka’s face once again.” 

In the end, the couple got the intimate celebration they wanted for their special day. “We were definitely exhausted, but we genuinely enjoyed every single event. Our hearts were full. Those two days felt magical, and we could really feel our love throughout all the events.”

Priyanka and Aayush claim that planning this wedding together has made them stronger than ever. “We realised that we naturally have different opinions and preferences, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The process taught us to understand where the other person is coming from and to find a middle ground that works for both of us. It was a good reminder that teamwork and communication go a long way.” 

Now, the two are looking forward to starting a new chapter of their journey together. “We’re really looking forward to travelling and discovering new places together, trying out different restaurants, expanding our circle of friends, and hosting fun, welcoming gatherings at home. We’re excited for many new shared experiences and creating memories that will last a lifetime.”

Here’s wishing Priyanka and Aayush a lifetime of happiness!