Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambanis wedding isnt until Julybut the celebrations are already very much underway.
It began with thecouples grand hastaksharin March, which was held at Ambanis' home in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
And in May, it continued with a four-day cruise that made multiple stops throughout the Mediterranean.
Photo: Himanshu Patel/Epic Stories
Even the familys doctors were on board.
We had people from the ages of six months going up to 90 years, Radhika says.
The cruises events began in Palermo, Sicily, with a welcome lunch.
At night, as they sailed up the Italian coast, the Ambanis held a starry-night-themed formal party.
For the first event, Radhika wore a gown designed by Robert Wun.
Printed on the chiffon was a love letter that Anant wrote to her when she was 22.
He wrote me this long letter for my birthday about what I mean to him, Radhika says.
As the night grew later, the Backstreet Boys did a surprise concert.
After spending the next day in Rome, the Ambanis held a toga party back on deck.
It took more than 30 artisans to complete.
Meanwhile, the grooms mother, Nita Ambani, opted for a design by Schiaparelli.
(The grand home was famously featured in Alfred Hitchcocks 1955 filmTo Catch a Thief.)
She and the Versace atelier worked for a year to complete the dress.
I wanted it to just be romantic and young, she says.
On her neck was a rare blue opal surrounded by diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz.
The necklace is a symbolic one: Opal is her birthstone and diamonds are his.
The pinnacle of the evening?
A performance by Katy Perry.
As she sang Firework, real-life fireworks went off in the sky above the chateau.
However, the night was far from over: As guests reboarded, a second concert by Pitbull began.
The final night of celebrations took place in Portofino.
The Ambanis took over the main square and transformed it into an open-air market complete with food stalls.
As the sun set, legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed.
He sang Can’t Help Falling in Love as well as I Found My Love in Portofino.
At one point, his son Matteo joined him on stage.
It was just the most magical evening, Radhika says.
And there are several more high-profile happenings to come.
Then, there are all the events surrounding the wedding itself.
Radhika says the planning for it all is going great.
Im very excited to be married, she adds.
Before our first event aboard the cruiseA Starry Night.
Sharing a moment together before receiving guests for the first event.
