Weddings like this one are a true privilege fur us to share on Love My Dress. Set high in the mountains above Kathmandu, Samriddhi and Sumedh’s celebration was a breathtaking expression of love, culture and family all brought together through sacred ritual, spiritual connection and stunning natural beauty.
Their Hindu Newari wedding, planned by Royal Voyage Weddings, took place at Chandragiri Hill Resort, perched above the clouds and offering panoramic views across the Himalayan range. The ceremony, rich with tradition and symbolism, was followed by a Buddhist spiritual blessing led by a childhood friend of the groom.
This beautiful wedding honoured the couple’s heritage and individuality – from the sound of traditional basuri flutes as the bride made her entrance, to the white floral Mandap framed by Himalayan peaks, and the many meaningful rituals that followed, including the exchange of gifts and the warm welcome each received into the other’s family.
We’re so delighted that these images were taken by Love My Dress recommended supplier, Soven Amatya, who captured the day so beautifully. Enjoy!
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Venue & Location
The resort sits at over 2,500m in elevation on a serene hilltop and offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountain range. The resort is accessible via a scenic cable car ride overlooking the Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding rolling hills.
The ride can be an exhilarating mix of awe, adventure and perhaps a little bit of nerves! We chose the location for its dramatic natural beauty, proximity to the city and unique travel requirements.
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The Fashion
I loved wearing a variety of colourful outfits that reflected my cultural heritage and personal style and had a very positive experience at Kaavya Boutique. They provided great designs, fitting and service. I would highly recommend them!
My veil was also from Kaavya Boutique – it was a red veil which could be worn long or short in the back.
My makeup artist, Swechchhya Thapa Magar, and my hair stylist,
Durga Malla, were the best! I enjoyed working with them and trusting them with my look. These ladies and their team did a beautiful job and made me feel very comfortable. One of the best vendors I’ve worked with.
Much of the bridal jewellery I wore was traditional and ornate. I wore a mix of gold and diamond/ruby jewellery – including necklaces, earrings, bangles, rings, and sirbindi (worn on the centre of the forehead).
The Swayambar
We had a group of five women playing traditional flutes called ‘basuri’, dressed in traditional Newari clothes, while the I walked down the aisle. They played the ‘Mangal Dhun‘, typically played at Nepali weddings.
The ‘Swayambar’ is the main event of the wedding, taking place during an auspicious day and time, chosen in consultation with a Hindu astrologer. Garlands and rings are exchanged, and the groom puts Sindoor on the bride’s forehead, signifying the couple are married.
At the start of the walk, I had my sister and cousin next to me, with some of my friends behind us. As I got closer to the Mandap, they all walked behind me as I entered.
The whole wedding was conducted following customs of a Hindu Newari wedding and officiated by a Hindu Priest. The Mandap platform was partially built over the swimming pool, allowing the immediate backdrop behind the Mandap to be a calming, blue body of water. The Mandap itself was white fabric with white flowers and green leaves. It stood alone and tall, letting the Himalayas peak through. Clean, calm, simple.
A Buddhist Spiritual Blessing
We also had a short Buddhist spiritual blessing from the groom’s childhood friend – a Buddhist monk and teacher, which felt very special. Our spiritual blessing was intended to promote peace, wisdom, and compassion.
The prayers and mantras are carried by the wind, bringing goodwill and auspiciousness to all sentient beings.
There were several smaller rituals on the same day that made up our main wedding day, as follows;
- Supari: Invitation and Acceptance – The ‘Supari’ (Nepali) or ‘Gway’ (Newari) ceremony is the formal invitation and acceptance of the relationship between the two families. Traditionally taking place a few days before the wedding, the groom’s family visit the bride’s home with supari (betel nuts), traditional food, and gifts for the bride.
- Janti: Groom’s Wedding Procession – The ‘Janti’ (Nepali) or ‘Lan: Swo Wonegu’ (Newari) is the arrival of the groom and his family and friends at the bride’s home or wedding venue in a colourful procession, accompanied by music, traditional instruments and dancing. The bride’s friends and family start plotting to steal the groom’s shoes in exchange for money. All the kids had a great time, even forming alliances to negotiate deals!
- Puja: Mantras and Rituals – Prayers and rituals are performed signifying the beginning of new family relations and for good luck to remove whatever obstacles they may face. The bride’s father gives her away and sends her off with the groom’s family.
- Welcoming the Bride – The groom’s family welcome the new family member with blessings, food and gifts.
And in the days after our main ceremony, we had a ‘Mukh Hern‘ (Nepali) or ‘Khwa Swo’ (Newari) ceremony, the bride’s family visits her after she has spent a few days at her husband’s home and bring her gifts. The groom’s family also hosted a traditional reception.
The day after, the bride’s family welcome the groom as a new family member with blessings, food and gifts and host a traditional reception.
Photography
Our primary photographer was Soven Amatya and he was assisted by Susanne Rothenbach. Our photographers were perfect! They were extremely professional and super fun.
Our wedding photographs are absolutely breathtaking. They capture all types of shots fantastically – the venue, nature, outfits, people. Some of my favourite photos are the candid shots of/with family and friends laughing and having a great time. We were extremely lucky to have Soven and Susanne photograph our wedding and cannot recommend them enough.
How They Met
We met through a mutual friend when Samriddhi moved from New York City to Washington, DC. Our friend, who we jokingly call our “Sima Aunty” (from Netflix’s Indian Matchmaking), had been looking for the right opportunity to introduce us. She invited both over for a casual dinner at her house and the rest, as they say, is history.
In November 2022 we took a trip back to Nepal and we travelled from the capital Kathmandu to the Mustang region. On a crisp winter morning with the spectacular, towering Nilgiri mountains as witnesses, Sumedh proposed during a beautiful and intimate outdoor breakfast setting at the Moksha Mustang hotel (now Shinta Mani Mustang).
My favourite part was having all my closest family and friends around. My second favourite part was getting dolled up and seeing my husband in his groom’s attire.
Words of Wedded Wisdom
I would have started planning much earlier!
Relax. Try to be in the present moment. Your wedding is likely one of the only times all the most important people in both your lives will be in the same place at the same time. Take time to breathe in these precious moments!
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