Akshara and Sanchit's colourful August wedding

Akshara and Sanchit met through a mutual friend, who was at university with Sanchit and then worked with Akshara. “I was 20 minutes late for our first date,” says Akshara.

“I hadn’t kept track of the time, as I was quite disillusioned with dating by that point. Sanchit drove from Leeds in the pouring rain and waited outside the restaurant for me. We ended up staying there for four hours and eventually got kicked out because they had to close! I felt so comfortable with him straight away and from there we never looked back.”

A thoughtful proposal

The couple had been together for a year and a half when Sanchit proposed. “We had been in a bubble together because of Covid,” says Akshara. “He told me we were going out for dinner but he had secretly planned the whole thing with my best friends. He also asked my friend to do my makeup for me, which should have been a giveaway, but I’m quite gullible and tend to believe any excuses!"

"While we were at dinner, my friends set up our flat with pictures of us, rose petals, candles and a huge sign that said, ‘Marry Me’. As soon as I walked in I started crying and I can barely remember what he said to me, apart from, ‘Will you marry me?'. It was such a beautiful and thoughtful proposal. It made it even more special that he had planned it with my friends, too.”

Shopping for the dress

“I found the WED2B website online and loved the selection of dresses,” says Akshara. “My cousin and best friend came with me and we had the best day ever. The store assistant was very helpful and friendly. She picked out the perfect dresses when I described what style I wanted.”

“I chose the Monika dress, as I wanted A-line and lace. I also wanted a modest dress, which would suit my traditional family but equally that would accentuate my favourite features. It had such beautiful embroidery and detail.” (For similar styles try Allyson, Mirella and Marsha)

A dream venue

“I had previously been to a wedding at Pavilions of Harrogate and I loved the grounds,” says Akshara. “Harrogate was also a good in-between point for our families and friends. The moment I saw it I could imagine getting married there. The wedding was on 22nd August 2021.”

The big day

“I got ready at the venue with my cousin and my mum,” says Akshara. “My bridesmaids came a little later and helped me too. We originally wanted to get married outside but the August weather didn’t hold up. I was a bit upset but, looking back, I am glad that we got married inside. It was a beautiful intimate ceremony and we still got to take photos outside when the weather improved.”

“A very special moment for me was when my cousin, who is my best friend, sang a song as I walked down the aisle. She is a beautiful singer and she sang a song that meant a lot to my husband and I. My husband’s vows were also amazing. Sanchit isn’t a fan of public speaking but he said some very endearing and sweet vows."

"Afterwards I threw my bouquet, which was eventful as my husband’s groomsmen decided to join in too! We then had an evening reception.”

A colourful August wedding

The colour scheme for the civil wedding was pastel pink, peach and white but for the evening reception the couple went for purple, red and gold.

“The wedding cake had these colours and we gave out Indian sweets as our wedding favours,” says Akshara. “Our DJ was incredible and had almost every one of the 380 guests on the dance floor for most of the night!”

My top tips…

“Plan loads before the day but don’t think about organising anything on the day,” says Akshara. “Have one or two trusted friends who can firefight for you, so you can enjoy the day. Also, sit down whenever you can, because heels are painful after a few hours! Lastly, do not give your phone to your drunk husband to look after, because he will have no idea where it is by the end of the night!”

Akshara’s Dream Team 

Photographer: Raj Passy Photography

Venue: Pavilions of Harrogate

Wedding dress: WED2B

Hair and makeup: @makeupbychandni 

Videographer: Moss Wedding Films

If you would like your big day to be one of our real weddings like this colourful August wedding then please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. Or click here for more details about WED2B’s bridal shops Manchester