A Romantic Kashmiri Pandit Celebration Meets Balinese Beauty

There’s something undeniably magical about a wedding that feels both deeply traditional and beautifully personal where every moment honours heritage while celebrating the joy of two lives becoming one.

For Aakriti & Saransh, their destination wedding in Bali was exactly that: an intentional fusion of Kashmiri Pandit customs and the serene, island beauty that frames every corner of Merusaka. With roots in Kashmir, a love of travel, and a gentle, soulful partnership, their day unfolded with meaningful rituals, heartfelt energy, and the kind of joy that lingers long after the last dance.

Where It All Began

Aakriti and Saransh’s journey started simply yet profoundly. Both were ready to find a life partner, and one phone call changed everything. By the end of that conversation, Saransh had asked Aakriti to marry him and she said yes instantly. Though quick, it felt right. For them, it wasn’t about waiting for the perfect moment, it was about recognising certainty when it arrived.

Over the next year and a half, the couple deepened their connection exploring each other’s worlds, families, and values always anchored by ease and mutual respect.

A Destination That Felt Like Home

Because Aakriti lived in Indonesia, Bali naturally became the backdrop for their celebration. It beautifully mirrored the couple’s shared love for adventure, food, and connection and offered the perfect blend of culture, tropical charm, and intimacy for their wedding festivities.

A Weekend Filled With Heart

The celebrations kicked off with a warm, welcoming soirée a relaxed sunset introduction that set the tone for what was to come. Family and friends gathered, laughter was shared, and the spirit of togetherness began to unfold.

What followed were ceremonies rooted in culture and rich with meaning.

Devagon Ceremony: A Sacred Tradition

In keeping with their Kashmiri Pandit heritage, the Devagon Ceremony took place separately for the bride and groom. For Aakriti, this marked her emotional transition from bachelorette to married woman. During the ritual, she was bathed in milk, water, and yoghurt a cleansing and joyful moment akin to a Haldi ceremony in other Indian traditions. Wrapped in tradition, she was then lovingly carried by her mamu (maternal uncle), surrounded by family love and blessings.

Aakriti wore the traditional dejhor, Kashmiri earrings that signify marital status first tied with a red thread and later replaced with a gold chain gifted by her in-laws. Her locket and daily jewellery were gifts from her parents, each carrying sentimental weight. Her hair was parted and covered with the tarang, a distinctive Kashmiri bridal headpiece symbolising purity, grace, and new beginnings, setting the stage for the meaningful ceremonies to follow.

Colour, Culture & Carnival Nights

One of the highlights of the wedding weekend was the Balinese Carnival Night. Full of colour, movement, and joyous celebration, it honoured Bali’s tropical vibrancy while allowing guests to unwind and immerse themselves in fun. Music, dancing, and island-inspired moments made it an unforgettable prelude to the next day’s rituals.

Later that night, the couple hosted a lively Sangeet, a joyful evening where laughter and music filled the air, and guests danced as the festivities continued into the night.

Morning Rituals & Sacred Union

The next morning brought one of the most intimate Kashmiri customs: the Tarang Ceremony. Aakriti’s hair was braided by her buas, one from her mother’s side and one from her father’s, symbolising Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati. These two braids were joined by a gold thread, representing the merging of two souls. Dressed in tradition and emotion, this moment became one of the most personal of the entire celebration.

Later, as the sun set into night, Aakriti and Saransh exchanged varmalas beneath a shower of blooms and fireworks, with the ocean breeze as their witness. As the party carried on under the stars, the couple performed their Posh Pooza the Kashmiri pheras, beginning around 1 a.m. and finishing just as the sun rose. It was a ceremony steeped in devotion, quiet magic, and serenity, the perfect rhythm for their union.

Style That Reflects the Couple

Aakriti’s bridal look was designed by Tarun Tahiliani timeless, elegant, and effortlessly graceful. For the pheras, she honoured family tradition by wearing her mother’s wedding saree, infusing her attire with personal history.

Her jewellery was custom-made with sparkling diamonds and emeralds that elegantly complemented her bridal look. Hair and makeup were soft, glowing, and natural, enhancing, not transforming capturing Aakriti’s calm and confident beauty.

Saransh’s outfit was custom tailored, featuring powder pink tones that brought a contemporary twist to classic Indian menswear, refined, stylish, and a perfect match for the day’s aesthetic.

Moments That Last

For the couple, the most emotional part of their wedding was the sacred bathing ritual a moment of transformation and blessing. The most spontaneous? The carefree laughter and dancing that filled every celebration.

Their reception was warm, joyful, and heartfelt a night that truly embodied the couple’s intention to stay present, connect deeply with loved ones, and celebrate love in its most genuine form.

If there was one moment they’d relive, it would be the simple act of walking together during the reception hand in hand, present in every moment, and aware that this day would be remembered forever.

A Celebration Remembered

Aakriti and Saransh’s wedding wasn’t about perfection it was about presence. About traditions honoured, cultures celebrated, and love deeply felt. Their guests left not just with memories of beautiful ceremonies and vibrant nights but with a sense of connection, warmth, and shared joy.

From heartfelt rituals to joyful celebrations under Bali’s sky, this wedding was a true reflection of two souls, their heritage, and the beautiful life they’re building together.

Did you love Aakriti & Saransh’s wedding day as much as we did? Click here to take a look at more incredible real weddings!