- 01 The Couple's Story
- 02 Setting the Scene
- 03 The Mandap & Ceremony
- 04 Décor & Florals
- 05 Food & Entertainment
- 06 Planning Tips & Advice
When Ananya and Vikram told us they wanted their wedding "somewhere wild, somewhere no one expects" — we knew Ramnagar's ancient forests were waiting for them. What followed was four days of celebration that redefined what a destination wedding could be in India.
The Couple's Story
Ananya Shah, a Mumbai-based architect, and Vikram Mehta, a wildlife conservationist, met on a birding trip in the Terai forests of Uttarakhand. It was only fitting, then, that they chose Ramnagar — the gateway to Jim Corbett National Park — as the canvas for their wedding story.
"We wanted our guests to feel what we feel in nature," Ananya told us. "Not just see a beautiful wedding — but actually experience the wilderness, the sounds, the smells, the fireflies at night." That vision became our brief, and we built every element around it.
"We didn't want a wedding that could have happened anywhere. We wanted one that could only have happened here — in these forests, beside this river."
The Phera ceremony beneath the forest canopy at golden hour — Corbett Forest Retreat, Ramnagar
Setting the Scene: Corbett Forest Retreat
The venue — our exclusive partner Corbett Forest Retreat — sits on the edge of the reserve forest, where the Kosi River bends gently through dense sal and teak trees. We transformed three distinct spaces over four days: a riverbed for the Sangeet, a forest clearing for the ceremony, and the resort's sprawling lawns for the grand reception.
- Venue: Corbett Forest Retreat
- Guest Count: 420 guests
- Duration: 4-day celebration
- Package: Diamond Dynasty
- Season: November (peak season)
- Theme: Jungle Royale
- Décor: Natural + Luxury fusion
- Catering: 8 cuisine stations
The Mandap & Ceremony
The mandap was our masterpiece — a 30-foot structure of woven bamboo and aged teak, draped in 4,000 marigolds, white tuberose garlands, and forest ferns. No synthetic flowers. No artificial lighting during the ceremony. Only the golden hour light filtering through the sal canopy and a hundred clay diyas.
The Phera Moment
As Ananya and Vikram circled the sacred fire, a herd of deer passed silently at the forest edge 200 metres away. The guests fell into an awed silence. It was the kind of moment you cannot choreograph — only nature can gift it. Vikram later called it "the most profound moment of my life."
Décor & Florals: The Jungle Royale Aesthetic
Our creative director, Riya Kapoor, developed the "Jungle Royale" aesthetic specifically for this wedding — a language of deep forest greens, raw wood, burnished gold, and botanical abundance that felt simultaneously wild and luxurious.
Over three days, our team of 45 artisans installed over 80,000 individual flowers across the venue. Suspended floral clouds in the reception tent. A 60-foot flower tunnel leading from the resort to the ceremony ground. Tablecentres of tropical leaves, hanging orchids, and clusters of forest berries in terracotta urns.
"When I walked into the reception tent and saw the flower ceiling above 400 guests, I burst into tears. It was exactly what I had imagined — multiplied by ten."
The floral ceiling installation at the reception dinner — 60,000 flowers, 45 artisans, 3 days to create
Food & Entertainment
We partnered with Chef Ramesh Kumar — formerly of a Michelin-starred restaurant in London — to design a menu that honoured both Garhwali culinary heritage and modern fine dining. Eight live cooking stations offered everything from slow-cooked Kumaoni mutton on traditional chulhas to molecular gastronomy dessert stations that had guests photographing every plate.
The Sangeet on Day 2 was performed on a stage built directly over the Kosi River's shallow banks — guests seated on either side of the water, the forest lit with 5,000 bamboo lanterns behind them. The performance by Bollywood choreographer Sandeep Soparrkar's troupe had the entire riverbank dancing.
Planning Tips from the Couple
We asked Ananya and Vikram to share their top advice for couples considering a Ramnagar destination wedding:
- Book at least 10–12 months in advance for peak season (Oct–Feb)
- Trust your planner — let go of control and embrace the unexpected
- Plan a post-wedding jungle safari for your guests — it's unforgettable
- Opt for natural décor — the forest is already beautiful
- Build in a weather buffer day — Ramnagar can surprise you
- Hire a local photographer who knows the forest light
Priya has documented over 150 destination weddings across India and writes about the intersection of luxury, nature, and love. Based in Delhi, she travels to Ramnagar every season.
Comments (3)
This brought back so many memories! We had our wedding planned by this team in 2022 and it was equally magical. The Ramnagar forest has a way of making everything feel sacred. So happy for Ananya and Vikram!
My fiancée and I are considering Ramnagar for our wedding next November. After reading this, we're completely sold. Could you share approximate costs for a 200-guest wedding?
The deer passing during the phera — I got goosebumps reading that! Nature truly conspires to make moments unforgettable in Ramnagar. Congratulations to the beautiful couple!
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