An Intimate Ivory & Candlelight Wedding In Rajasthan That Began With One Unanswered Instagram Message!

Here's a wedding that proves you don't need trends to make something unforgettable- just really good instincts and a fort in Rajasthan. Dr. Charu Lakhi and Dr. Akshay Mehta's wedding at Six Senses Fort Barwara skipped the Pinterest-board approach entirely, going instead for soft ivories, warm candlelight and understated elegance that let the fort's heritage architecture do the talking. And the love story behind it? A rishta enquiry that wasn't even meant for them, an Instagram DM that got ignored once, and a first date on April Fool's Day where they never actually made it inside the café.

Meet Charu and Akshay

"People often ask us whether ours was an arranged marriage or a love marriage. The truth is, it was a little bit of both," says the bride.

It started when someone reached out to Akshay asking if he knew Charu, simply assuming that two doctors must have crossed paths at some point. Instead of leaving it there, he found her on Instagram and sent her a message — one she ignored the first time around. He tried again, and this time, she replied. What followed wasn't a whirlwind so much as a slow build: endless conversations, a first date on April Fool's Day that never even got them past the café entrance, and the quiet, comforting realisation that they'd found someone who simply felt like home.

Mehendi

Haldi

Cocktail

Wedding

Vendor Reviews

Venue: Six Senses Fort Barwara

Choosing this venue was one of the easiest decisions we made. From the moment we visited, the fort felt calm, intimate and incredibly special, with beautifully restored heritage architecture that still felt warm and welcoming. The team went above and beyond throughout the celebrations, handling every detail with professionalism and care so we could be fully present.

Makeup Artist: Makeup by Meera Sakhrani★ 3.6

She understood exactly the look I'd envisioned from our very first conversation — timeless, elegant, and still like me. Every look photographed beautifully and lasted all day without feeling heavy, and her calm presence made every getting-ready moment enjoyable.

Wedding Planning: Two Do Vows★ 4.6

Our planner brought our vision to life with incredible attention to detail, creativity and calmness. They made the entire planning process seamless, allowing us to actually enjoy every celebration instead of worrying about logistics.

Photography: Tuhina Chopra Photoworks★ 5

Our photographers captured our wedding exactly as we remember it — through quiet, candid moments as much as the big ones. They never once felt intrusive, and looking through our photos genuinely feels like reliving the day.

Decor: Talayah.in

The décor was everything we hoped for and more. Every event had its own personality while still feeling cohesive, complementing the fort's heritage charm instead of overpowering it.

Mehendi Artist: Pramod Mehandi Art★ 0.5

I usually get nauseous from the smell of mehendi and was dreading that part of the celebrations. My artist made the entire experience so comfortable that I barely noticed it, and it turned into one of my favourite memories of the wedding.

Jewellery: Jagdish Jewellers★ 5 , A Jewels by Anmol★ 4.5

The jewellery completed each look beautifully without ever overshadowing it — every piece felt thoughtfully chosen, and I felt completely myself throughout the celebrations.

Vendor Credits

Venue: Six Senses Fort Barwara | Wedding Planning: Two Do Vows★ 4.6 | Photography: Tuhina Chopra Photoworks★ 5 | Decor: Talayah.in | Makeup Artist: Makeup by Meera Sakhrani★ 3.6 | Mehendi Artist: Pramod Mehandi Art★ 0.5 | Bridal Wear: Sabyasachi Mukherjee★ 4.9 , Mishru★ 5 , Gazal Gupta★ 4.5 , Amrin Sahi | Groom Wear: Manish Malhotra, Arjan Dugal , Kunal Rawal★ 5 , Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla★ 4.6 | Jewellery: Jagdish Jewellers★ 5 , A Jewels by Anmol★ 4.5