Indian weddings are known all over the world for their elaborate customs, sacred rituals, and lavish feasts. The wide selection of cuisines, designer clothing, and glamorous jewelry are some of the most notable features in any Indian wedding. As most Indians believe weddings to be made in heaven, they make sure that the event appears divine. From designer mandaps to the entertainment of guests, no expense or reputation is spared.

Here’s a look at the 10 most lavish Indian weddings to date:

1. Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia:

In June 2004 Lakshmi Mittal’s only daughter Vanisha Mittal tied the knot with London-based investment banker Amit Bhatia. This lavish wedding is estimated to cost $77 million. The 20 page hand-painted wedding invitation invited guests with hearty poems and was enclosed in a decorative silver box. Wedding festivities took place at the Palace of Versailles in France. Wines served in the celebrations were estimated to cost more than $1.5 million. The six-day event was held at the Jardin des Tuileres, Vaux Le Vicomte, George Cinq, Hotel Bristol and Hotel Cabaret. It was one fairy-tale wedding in France with fireworks shot over at Eiffel Tower.

2. Sushanto Roy and Richa Ahuja / Seemato Roy and Chandni Toor:

In the year 2004, Subrata Roy’s (Founder and Chairman of Sahara) sons Sushanto and Seemanto married in a double wedding, that roughly cost $100 million. The entire Sahara Township in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, was transformed into fairy-tale. Pre-wedding festivities were held at the Roy’s residence, Swapna Kuti (the dream house), while the sangeet was held at Hotel Clarks Awadh. With over 11,000 guests in attendance from all corners of the world, the wedding ceremony took place at Sahara Auditorium. Legendary figures such as Amitabh Bachchan, Mulayam Singh, Kapil Dev, Anil Ambani, and Aishwariya Rai among others embraced the occasion with their presence, while Raj Kumar Santoshi captured the enter wedding through his camera’s lens. More than 110 cuisines were served, and entertainers were flown in from all over the world. The highlight of the wedding was the community wedding of 101 underprivileged women belonging to different communities. Food was distributed among those less fortunate.

3. Shristi Mittal and Gulraj Behl:

Top 10 Lavish Indian Weddings

We have all heard the story about reluctant neighbors who slowly develop strong feelings for each other and end up married happily ever after, right? So goes the story of how Megha and Neil became a couple. They were first neighbors while studying at the University of Florida.

Slowly, over time, they became friends, before soon becoming inseparable. Three years after they started dating, Neil surprised Megha with a day of pampering followed by an intimate proposal at the Trump International Hotel in front of a private cabana on the beach filled with rose petals. After a two-year engagement, Megha and Neil married in a grand Gujarati wedding celebration at the Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek located within the Disney gates in Orlando.

Wedding celebrations began on a Thursday with the Mehndi, which was held in Orlando and decorated by family. The ceremony came alive with dance performances, antakshari, and the aroma of delicious South Indian food. The Garba event was held on Friday at the Wyndham. Decorated in a ghamti (rural) theme by Suhaag Garden, the event featured jupri food stations, a rustic swing setting on the dais, and lovely idols of Radha-Krishna at the center. The highlight of the evening was a flash mob dance sequence presented by cousins and friends. The dance ended with a special performance by the couple.

The big day began bright and early in the morning, with Neil arriving mounted on a white house and accompanied by dancing family and friends. Dhol players filled the air with traditional beats. The groom and his party was welcomed by Megha’s family at the entrance of the hotel’s ballroom. Beautifully decorated by Suhaag Garden, elephant sculptures greeted guests at the entrance. The Radha-Krishna theme continued and was the inspiration for the mandap. A combination of white, yellow, red and green was used to enhance the ballroom, and the colors matched the bride’s outfit perfectly to create a traditional ambiance. Megha entered the venue seated on a beautifully decorated doli that was carried by her brothers and cousins. She looked resplendent in the traditional bridal outfit she bought in India.

Later that night, a grand reception was organized at the same venue. However, the room was transformed. From white, green and red décor, the room glowed in hues of aqua blue and grayish purple, which were also the colors of Megha’s reception dress. Mini elephant statuettes held guest table cards. Centerpieces comprised of golden elephant tusks, candle holders and glass candelabras. The stage was a simple artistic masterpiece. In the background, stood three interlocked golden frames. In front of the middle frame was a beautiful lounge chaise. Static texture lighting illuminated the stage. The entire set up presented a lovely mix of the western and Indian cultural elements.

DJ Firoz played excellent music throughout the wedding ceremony as well as the reception. The newly married couple performed their first dance to the medley o “Tu Jahan” from Salaam Namaste and “Everything” by Michael Buble. The bridesmaids, groomsmen, couple’s parents, friends and cousins even presented a hilarious performance based on the television show How I Met Your Mother.

Though Megha had many nightmares, ranging from the vendors not arriving on time to guests not arriving because of bad weather, none came true and the wedding occurred without any bad incidents.

Megha’s advice to would-be grooms is that they should always support their brides from the beginning through all the stages of wedding preparations. She also says that the brides should stand by their dreams and ensure that every arrangement is up to their satisfaction although a few compromises might be necessary.

Photos Courtesy: Sona Photography 407-694-6032 www.sonaphotography.com Vendors BANQUET HALLS Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek 407-390-2300 www.wyndhambonnetcreek.comCAKE Party Flavors Custom Cakes 407-578-2082 www.orlandocustomcakes.comDECORATOR Suhaag Garden 813-478-9283 www.suhaaggarden.comDISC JOCKEY Dudha Productions 407-446-0325 www.dudhaproductions.comHORSE – CARRIAGE Downtown Horse & Carriage Inc 561-723-4704 www.downtownhorseandcarriage.com MEHNDI Sangita Patel Spatel612@gmail.com PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER Sona Photography 407-694-6032 www.sonaphotography.comPRIEST/WORSHIP SERVICES Mahesh Gor 407-699-7966 maheshgor61@gmail.comRESTAURANT/CATERING Aashirwad Indian Cuisine 407-370-9830 www.aashirwadrestaurant.comKhasiyat 407-888-2147 bhanuchavda13@yahoo.comMemories Of India 407-370-3277 www.memoriesofindiacuisine.com WEDDING PLANNER Shivpriya Event Management 407-473-8852 www.shivpriyaevents.com