This Hampi Wedding Could Teach You A Thing Or Two About Sustainability

Meher met Alankrutha while working in the U.S. as software engineers. Meher would consciously choose to drop Alankrutha back home every day. Alunkrutha says, “This gave us a lot of time to talk and discover shared interests. Once on a rainy day, I mentioned my favourite food, and he made an unexpected stop at a restaurant and asked me out right there last year. I think it was so thoughtful and sweet!”

Cut to 2025, the couple got married in early January and what came as a surprise was the unexpected rain. He proposed to her on a rainy day, and they got married when it was pouring. The wedding itself was executed in 20 days. “This wouldn’t have been possible without Sushma and the Resh & Co. team. Their confidence and expertise helped us create an event filled with nothing but happy memories.”

Meher and Alankrutha’s union brought them to the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi as the setting for their special day.  For them choosing Hampi as their location for the main day was a natural progression. “Meher was the one who fell in love with Hampi first, and he would often tell me how beautiful it is. When we were scouting wedding came up, Hampi just felt right.” As they say, God is truly in the details and when the couple decided to scout locations, they stumbled upon Hampi. “We visited a resort, but as soon as we stepped out of the car at our eventual venue, we just looked at each other and said, “This is it.” We didn’t even need to see the entire place! It brought us closer because we were completely in sync throughout the planning process,” adds Alankrutha.

The couple didn’t have a formal proposal ceremony but knew they wanted to be in each other’s lives. “Whether it was planning our wedding or leaving everything behind for the farm life we now live, we realized that despite our different perspectives, we are perfect together,” adds Alankrutha. Recently, the couple launched a new brand called Elephant In You which offers eco-friendly clothing, organic farming experiences, and hands-on workshops. The same ethos was seen in their wedding execution and planning. 

For the Haldi ceremony,  the couple held the ceremony at an ancient hilltop temple called the  Malyavanta Raghunatha Temple. “With the sacred river as its backdrop and natural elements like coconut leaves and fresh flowers forming the décor, we tried honouring the sacred space while enhancing its timeless beauty,” adds Meher. As the days progressed to Sangeet, an intimate function—they decided to forgo the usual extravagance that surrounds this occasion. “Our loved ones came closer through meaningful interactions and engaging games. Held along the tranquil riverbanks of an animal conservation area, the event featured minimalist bamboo décor that complemented Hampi’s serene surroundings,” says the bride.

She adds, “Weddings mark a significant change, especially for brides. We began ours on a meaningful note, surrounded by nature and making a minimal impact on the environment. My advice to future brides is to think about the legacy you want to leave behind. Future generations should inherit a clean planet, not waste.” Even their food told a story. Traditional dishes were lovingly prepared over wood-fired stoves, paying homage to age-old culinary practices. “Most meals used reusable cutlery, while one was served on banana leaves and paper cups, both being biodegradable. The décor was either reusable, like glass jars and baskets, or biodegradable, like locally sourced flowers,” adds Alankrutha.

The wedding planners Resh&Co aimed to host a zero-waste wedding. “We shared our vision with Sushma from Resh & Co. They went above and beyond to make it happen. For instance, no foam was used for flower arrangements, and everything was handmade. The mandap décor adorned with handwoven baskets and bangles was my favourite. Our guests loved it too!” adds the groom. For the main day, all their wedding ensembles, except Alankrutha’s sari were hand-painted cotton dyed with natural pigments derived from flowers. “We want to continue living that lifestyle,” she adds.

Alunkritha lastly adds, “ We wanted our guests to relax and reconnect with nature. In today’s urban lifestyles, we often lose touch with the natural world. Hosting the wedding in this setting allowed everyone to enjoy some quiet time and rediscover that connection, it was truly unforgettable.”