Devika Narain

Oct 5

Oct 5 NIRA + SHAMIL

There is nothing easy about designing a wedding long distance- certainly not one, designed long distance amid a recurring pandemic across three countries and varied time zones.

Nira and Shamil don’t do simple. They find what they want, chase it, convince it, persevere, don’t take no for an answer and think in excel and white boards – I suppose that’s why we are friends! DNC’s friendship with NS has been possibly as long as their own relationship and has lived through a recurring pandemic, three countries, long distance, varied time zones and two hundred and twenty-two emails (we counted!)
What began as a simple wedding in Bali, evolved into a three day (mad!) celebration across London and Sintra.

We won't lie, this has to be one of the most fun weddings we've ever made!

MANDVO + PITTI

A little backstory or you'll never believe what I'm going to tell you next!
We were all sitting at a super cute pizza joint somewhere in Sintra - fresh home style wood fired pizzas(im talking thin crust with salad leaves on top, not the ones you get around here!) covering most of the table, a couple of wine glasses strewn around with one of a classic JD, two laptops on the top - ferociously discussing the details for the wedding. It feels like a speed dating session (DNM is asking questions about their life, love language, likes and dislikes) and Shamil is negotiating ceiling installations ( he loves them and wanted them at every function!) while Nira is maintaining a balance and artfully bringing the conversation back to decor.
One thing led to another (some would blame the wine, but I believe it was the pizza!) and we decided to use tabasco(NS are obsessed with it!) as a "theme" for the haldi!
While we could have let it pass the next morning, we decided to embrace our conversation and create a truly unique and fun haldi inspired by the bottle, its colours and flavours (mirchi!)
With the mirch came the nimbu and the first function became a teekha, nazar battu to kickstart the celebration.

Presenting a haldi inspired by Tabasco - the favourite of every indian living abroad! 🤣

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THE MEHENDI

I remember the first time I saw the Mehendi gardens- a salmon and peach coloured structure envelopes a lush green garden in the middle of which sits a giant blue turquoise pool of water- right then, squinting through my zoom window, I knew the mehendi was going to be perfect!

A design intended to be a melting pot of everything Indian and Portuguese- azulejos patterns, block prints, bright colours and terracotta. The first evening of this mad three-day wedding began with a coming together of everything Indian and Portuguese, their joint histories and cultural exchange became the perfect backdrop to this celebration.

Azulo patterns married Indian block prints, as guests congregated to celebrated around the blue pool. The patterns of the mehendi are an ode to these unique patterns. The old kitchens near the venue have an entire wall dedicated to them!

Also, don’t they remind you a lot of Indian blue pottery?

THE WEDDING

The craft practices of Portugal are deeply inspired by the existence of the everyday. This “mundane” often is present in the smallest of artifacts as evident from the region of ‘Alentejo’ – which is home to the most gorgeous cross stitch rugs. These cross stiches are often floral details weaved into rug or an intricate repeat pattern design found all through.

The simple, yet unique forms inspired the pattern for the seating in front of the wedding. The chairs were placed in a unique cross stitch pattern with lavender hedges enveloping them.

The colors are inspired by two omni present symbols of the Portugal – local lavender and carnations.
Much like the carnation revolution, we borrow fromt distinct hues of the sunset pink combined with the stunning lavender that comes through in the flowers as well as smaller details like the prints and linen.

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THE RECEPTION

The reception venue had to be perfect, it was meant to the grand finale and a complete surprise for all guests!
I'm certain I made NS see atleast ten venues before we agreed on this stunning conservatory in the home of sir Arthur Conan Doyle. What followed was an epic night, inspired by his novels with the coolest details .

The conservatory at the Bella Vista in Sintra became the perfect canvas for our mystery night. Guests walked down a beautifully overgrown passage lit solely with candles to reach this stunning structure that looked over the city. The gala dinner was set in the home of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, with clues and puzzles in true Sherlock Holmes style - a map, code names, a beautiful dinner setting and menus visible only through the bar coaster- it was the most perfect evening.