Getting hitched in style

Grand celebrations

All roads in the City lead to Nandini Alva’s sprawling farmhouse in Mariyanapalya, near Hebbal, where Priyanka, the daughter of the danseuse, is tying the knot with Bollywood’s much-celebrated bachelor Vivek Oberoi today.

Many glitterati of Bangalore and Mumbai are expected to be present at the wedding. Sources close to the couple say that more than 1,000 people are expected to grace the occasion. Vivek and Priyanka have their own separate list of a few close-knit friends who they’ve invited to be a part of their big day.

Metrolife spoke with a few of the couple’s friends who’ve confirmed their attendance at the wedding. Most of those who are going to the wedding have had a long-standing association with either of the couple. They all had some interesting things to share.

Ramya, Actress

I have known Priyanka for a really long time. I must say that she is no ordinary girl but an extraordinary person. So you can’t really say that Vivek is marrying just another Bangalore girl.

Shankar Gowda, Producer

It’s an honour to be invited for Vivek’s wedding. Vivek wanted to act in the Hindi version of  Just Maath Maathalli. I will soon be producing a film in which Vivek will play the lead.

Kumar Taurani, Producer of 'Prince'

We have been working together for the last two years. Vivek’s a brilliant actor but I don't think he has got what he really deserves. But looks like things will change for him and he’ll be one among the top ten actors pretty soon. I am flying down to Bangalore just for his wedding.

Sonu Sood, Actor

Vivek’s a good friend and I am flying down to Bangalore just for his wedding. He and I have been going to Sabarimala for the last six years. In fact, it was Vivek who first took me to Sabarimala. He’s a great guy and deserves only the best.

Sudeep, Actor

Vivek  and I are very close and he’s one of the few people I hold very close to my heart and he’ll kill me if I miss his wedding. Bollywood has treated me with warmth and respect that I seldom get here. There are some people who make you feel extraordinary and give you a pat on your back  and Vivek is one of them.

Left out, Ram Gopal Varma, Director

I haven’t been invited to the wedding. I don’t know the real reason. Maybe he just decided to invite a few of his close friends.

Dress code

The guests were asked to wear pastel colour dresses for mehendi ceremony and festive Indian colours for the sangeet ceremony.For the wedding, the code is formal
Indian.

Hotel staff delighted

We know that Hotel Chancery Pavilion has been booked for Vivek-Priyanka’s wedding. On Tuesday, when the groom was staying temporarily at the hotel, only 40 rooms were booked. But on Thursday, around 150 rooms had been booked for the guests attending the wedding.

 Said a source from the hotel, “We have 225 rooms in the hotel, out of which 150 have been booked by the Alva family for the Oberoi family and their friends.” The staff is ecstatic as they got to serve the actor and host the entire family.

“They have all been very sweet and cordial, though the wedding is taking place elsewhere, the atmosphere is surely festive here,” the source added.The family and the guests are enjoying the food and other facilities offered by the hotel. Vivek enjoyed the pool and the environment around it.

The room rent alone has come to Rs 30 lakh approximately, which has been taken care of by the Alva family. 

Marriage ceremony

Haldi: 11 am
Chuda: 11.30 am
Lunch: 12.30 pm

Sehra bandhi and high tea beginning at 4 pm
Flute concert by Praveen Godkhindi and a veena concert by Kannan.

Jaimala (exchange of
garlands): 7 pm
Dinner - 7 pm onwards
Wedding ceremony: 11.15 pm to 12.15 am

October 31
Reception at ITC Maratha in Mumbai at 9 pm onwards. 

A bit of oomph on honeymoon!

Priyanka has roped in Sanchita Ajjampur to design her resort and beach wear collection. Sanchita has also designed a new set of accessories that will match the resort wear. Priyanka will carry this when she goes off for a holiday soon after the wedding. “It’s fabulous to be a part of such a grand wedding. I have known the family for many years now and we are more family than friends,” says Sanchita.

There’s a party tonight

Sources close to the family tell Metrolife that there has been non-stop partying in the last few days. The two families and their friends practised really hard for the sangeet on the eve of the wedding. It was more like a competition between the two families about who will do better. The couple will exchange garlands in the morning while the wedding will take place after 11 pm.

DJ Jasmeet, who has been called to play on the wedding day, says he will ensure that the guests have a good time and it becomes a night to remember. “I already have a list ready for the night which will surely see the crowd dancing into the night,” says Jasmeet, who will be playing many of Vivek’s popular Bollywood numbers.

“There’ll be extensive celebrations throughout the day on Saturday before the couple head off to Mumbai for a grand reception on Sunday,” says a source and adds, “though the Alva family wanted to keep the wedding very simple and low key, it has turned out to be bigger than expected. But that’s only inevitable in this case.”