Ambani’s wedding: Here’s all that it had

Asia’s wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, orchestrated a grand event for his son, Anant Ambani’s wedding with pharmaceutical heiress Radhika Merchant. Ambani’s wedding took place at Mumbai’s Ambani-owned Jio World Convention Centre, making it the year’s most spectacular event.

The festivities spanned several days, drawing luminaries from across the globe. The wedding commenced with a traditional Hindu ceremony, followed by a ‘blessing ceremony’ titled ‘Shubh Ashirwad’ for friends and family members.

Guests received three distinct invitations. The most exclusive invite came in a large red box, containing an intricate chest adorned with gold idols of Hindu deities like Lord Ganesh, Radha-Krishna, and Goddess Durga. Each wedding function had its unique card, including one crafted from silver, reminiscent of an ancient temple gate.

To confirm their attendance, guests responded via email or a Google Form. Upon confirmation, they received QR codes that granted access to the venue. These QR codes, sent via mobile phones and email, facilitated entry. Color-coded paper wristbands differentiated zones within the venue, allowing guests to move freely based on their wristband color.

The large arena was thoroughly secured. Ushers and multiple layers of security assured safety. Detailed fire and emergency plans were in place. Surprisingly, medical response preparedness rivalled that reserved for heads of state. Doctors, paramedics, and fully equipped ambulances were ready to address any medical emergency.

A Lavish Dress Code

Guests adhered to an Indian dress code, donning embroidered sherwanis and bandhgalas. International attendees, including John Cena and Nick Jonas, embraced traditional attire. Cena sported a powder-blue sherwani, while Jonas opted for a pink ensemble. Even Samsung’s Chairman Lee Jae-yong and his wife wore color-coded wristbands, adding to the vibrant spectacle.

Former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson graced the occasion, alongside Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser, reality TV sensation Kim Kardashian, and her sister Khloe. Nigerian rapper Rema and football legend David Beckham were also in attendance.

Business magnate Gautam Adani made a heartwarming entrance, holding hands with his little granddaughter, accompanied by his son Karan and wife Preeti. Kumar Mangalam Birla arrived with his family, adding to the grandeur of the event.

Bollywood glittered as almost every top-tier actor made an appearance. From Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Salman Khan to Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Tiger Shroff, and Varun Dhawan, the stars graced the festivities with their families. Meanwhile, superstars Rajinikanth, Ram Charan, and Mahesh Babu led the entourage from the southern film industry.

Indian cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav added their star power to the celebration.

Notably absent were T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma, who was engrossed in the Wimbledon semi-final in London, and Virat Kohli.

The political arena was well-represented, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav attending. Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar, Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Sachin Pilot, and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar were also part of the distinguished guest list.

Spiritual leaders Swami Sadananda Saraswati and Swami Avimukteshwaranand, along with yoga guru Ramdev, graced the event.

International figures included FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, accompanied by his deputy Pawan Kalyan.

The guests made a red-carpet-style entrance, reminiscent of the Met Gala, as they posed for photographers and videographers on Friday and Saturday.

The Couple

The bride, Radhika Merchant, 29, daughter of pharmaceutical tycoon Viren and Shaila Merchant, serves as the marketing director for Encore Healthcare. The groom, Anant Ambani, 29, oversees Reliance Industries Ltd’s renewable and green energy expansion.

This three-day wedding extravaganza marks the culmination of a series of lavish parties hosted by the Ambani family since March. Their engagement in January 2023 set the stage for three pre-wedding celebrations.

In March, a three-day event unfolded in Jamnagar, Gujarat, where tech luminaries like Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates joined the 1,200-strong guest list. Rihanna delivered an exclusive performance, while magician David Blaine wowed the crowd. The festivities even included a visit to Ambani’s exotic animal rescue center.

Global Attention and Media Buzz

In May, the Ambanis embarked on a four-day Mediterranean cruise, featuring on-deck concerts by the Backstreet Boys, Pitbull, and David Guetta. Katy Perry headlined a masquerade ball at the Château de la Croix des Gardes in France. The cruise concluded in Italy’s Portofino, where tenor Andrea Bocelli serenaded guests in the town square.

Last week, Justin Bieber took the stage during the ‘Sangeet’ or musical night.

While the exact cost of Anant’s wedding remains undisclosed, the scale of the celebration is evident. Select invitation boxes priced at Rs 5-6 lakh each and three Falcon-2000 jets chartered to transport guests underscore the extravagance.

Anant Ambani also gifted friends the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar limited edition watch.

Rumors abound that Rihanna received a staggering USD 7 million for her performance, while Bieber’s fee approached USD 10 million (approximately Rs 84 crore).

Asia’s wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, has orchestrated a series of opulent pre-wedding events for his youngest son, Anant Ambani, culminating in what many are calling the wedding of the year. The festivities have drawn global attention, sparking both admiration and criticism.

In March, the Ambani family kicked off the celebrations with a three-day prenuptial bash that featured a star-studded guest list of 1,200 people. Former world leaders, tech tycoons, and Bollywood megastars mingled at the extravagant affair, which included a captivating performance by renowned singer Rihanna.

But that was just the beginning. In May, the Ambanis hosted an exclusive pre-wedding cruise from Italy to France, treating their guests to a DJ set by David Guetta, Katy Perry’s rendition of “Firework,” and a show-stopping performance by Pitbull. The media buzzed with reports of luxury and glamour as the celebrations unfolded.

Mukesh Ambani, the 66-year-old tycoon, currently holds the ninth spot among the world’s richest individuals, with a staggering net worth of $116 billion. His conglomerate, Reliance Industries Limited, spans diverse sectors, from petrochemicals and oil to telecoms and retail. The Ambani family’s private residence, the 27-story Antilia tower in Mumbai, is valued at a staggering $1 billion and features helipads, a 160-car garage, a private theater, a swimming pool, and a fitness center.

You might also be interested in – Star-studded guest list for Ambani’s wedding has PM Modi, SRK, Kardashians in attendance