An Ethereal Affair for a Kotwara Bride: A Spectacular Wedding in the Hills of Kullu
- Sama Ali
- Aug 22
- 11 min read
Updated: Sep 6
As the creative director of House of Kotwara, I've had the immense privilege of being the keeper of countless stories. We don't just design garments; we become a part of a family's most cherished chronicles of love and tradition.
While every bride's journey is unique, some stories leave a lasting imprint on your heart. The story of Tripat and Rehmat, whose intimate wedding unfolded with a quiet grace during a challenging time, is one I recall with the deepest fondness. It is a beautiful testament to love's resilience, and I am so pleased to share it with all of you...
Setting the Scene
The year was 2021, globally all of humankind was amid an overwhelming shift in the zeitgeist.
Our comprehension of life and how to live it was changing in ways few saw coming.
Our cultures and the very social fabric that breathes flavour and meaning into our existence was evolving to ‘the new normal’.
There were a few valiant souls though; the ilk of whom kept our humanity vibrant and were brave enough to sustain the spirit of our culture and traditions – as Creative Director at House of Kotwara, I have had the good kismet to be able to share in their stories – and Tripat is one of these souls, a fellow creative whose tale warms my soul each time the memory of our shared journey floats into my consciousness.
I always love to revisit this moment, to talk about this beautiful wedding story, particularly when we all need some respite, something to look forward to, to remind ourselves that we fight through the tough times to enjoy the good times with open hearts!
A Fated Reunion: When I met Tripat... again
It was a tough choice getting married in times like those, but for people in love, there is only so much one can wait. The heart needs what it needs. The world was full of chaos and sadness, and in such moments, we must always make time for love and happiness, for these are moments that need to be willed and created.
It was a lazy winter morning, when we received an appointment request from a bride for the same day, we are usually unable to accommodate requests at such short notice, this was ever truer during the pandemic. Serendipitously, we had a cancellation, and thus another Bridal story with House of Kotwara began to unfold.
Her name was Tripat, a unique, yet familiar name. I had a friend during my university days in London, by that name, surely if it was the same Tripat, she would have dropped me a message personally as well?
We weren't particularly close back then but shared a few common close friends and admired each other from afar… well at least I know I did!
I remember when I met her the first time in London, I thought to myself ‘wow what a gorgeous girl she is- inside and out, she radiated good vibes!’
We connected on a much deeper level in the few months of designing her wedding outfit than we ever made the effort to over the years spent together in London.
To and for our mothers...
Along with our mothers, we had a charming time conversing about home renovation, gardening, wedding planning, fashion, and all things beautiful and creative!
Tripat’s mom, Jaspreet, wanted every element of her daughter’s wedding to be as meaningful as possible, she worked for months having Tripat’s clothes delicately designed and tailored, she combed through every blade of grass having her garden in Kullu perfectly manicured and prepared for her daughters’ ceremonies! Plants were potted and planted all for the special day, to minimise the wastage of using cut flowers to bring the magic.
The pleasures of intimate weddings and the Himalayan summer homes...
As the designer responsible for Tripat’s bridal outfit, it meant a lot to me that we all deeply connected and were able to craft something exceedingly special. As daughters we are our mothers forever-muses and flying from our nests is certainly a landmark event in our lives.
The amount of love, patience and efforts mothers make in raising us to be the amazing women we are today. Their charisma, igniting ours, their passion motivating us, their fierceness inspiring us.
I always love these mother daughter moments, and sharing them with mom daughter duos, it's become such a House of Kotwara thing! A lot of my dearest friends who shop with us, have been introduced to the brand by their mothers, having been patrons of Kotwara over the years have become an extended family to all of us here at House of Kotwara.
Our moms are our bestest friends and our sisters, from emotional moments to massive arguments, to each duo and their unique mother-daughter banter, it's all just so special and something each of us cherishes so deeply. As a grown up the dynamic is so different to when you're a child and your mom is 'The Law'!
Keeping in this spirit, I’d love for you to comment below and share your favourite mother-daughter heirloom bonding moment with us! Whether it's inheriting something or making something together to add to your legacy!
Tripat is a talented artist and illustrator living and working in Chandigarh. She designed her own wedding invitations. I remember when she first showed them to me, they really spoke to me about who she was as person as they truly captured her whimsical nature. Rehmat, a banker living and working in Hong Kong.
Reminiscing about their story, Tripat muses...
"What started off as a number exchange orchestrated by family friends, lead to a bowling date in Chandigarh. An instant spark started an adventure- from strolls in London, sunsets in Mallorca, an evening in Amsterdam and finally to a proposal on a mountain top in Kullu two years later." - Tripat
A whimsical girl, a whimsical wedding!
I remember watching the ceremony online, it was so beautiful, and so real, the decor looked amazing, natural, intimate, and so magical, at her family home in Kullu!
I was transfixed-ly taking notes for my second wedding (to the same man, but there are many things I'd do differently, but more on that later)!
"Bran, our home just short of Manali - is a place so close to my heart and our whole family. We have all spent so many special moments of laughter and togetherness there. It’s where I have always been at peace and felt the most content." muses Tripat, our Kotwara Bride.
It was a beautiful wedding, taking advantage of Manali’s natural beauty and colonial architecture, enhanced by the decor, keeping it real, to fully appreciate the beauty of the venue.
The use of natural and potted plants went a great way to offset the carbon footprint and rooted the ceremony in mother earths sands of time. Those will be natural companions spanning lifetime and beyond!
Let us know what you feel about intimate wedding ceremonies.
❤️ Love ❤️
🙅♀️ Not for me 🙅
🤷♀️ I don't know 🤷
A Personal Touch: Ideas for an Intimate Wedding Ceremony
What transforms an intimate ceremony from a beautiful event into an unforgettable memory? It is the infusion of personal history—the small, meaningful touches that tell a couple's unique story. While every detail matters, perhaps none is as powerful as the ceremony's location.
For our Kotwara bride, Tripat, the spot chosen for her Anand Karaj was more than just a picturesque garden in Kullu; it was the keeper of her happiest memories and the very beginning of her story with Rehmat.
"We chose to have the Anand Karaj in the garden under the lagerstroemia tree. It’s an especially peaceful spot in the lap of nature, where you can hear the river, smell the flowers, and see the last of the cherry blossom. Funnily enough a picture of this very spot in the garden is the first photo shared on my WhatsApp chat with Rehmat, because I was in Kullu when we first started texting each other! We couldn’t have chosen a more perfect place to experience one of the most special and mindful moments of our life together! Bran has always been my happiest place...From my first birthday, to summer holidays every year and more recently a routine escape 2-3 times a year. Now it’s special to both Rehmat and me. During covid, Rehmat was in London, and I was in Chandigarh, and we couldn’t meet for more than 11 months because of the pandemic. We finally reunited in Kullu after 11 months, and that’s when Rehmat proposed to me. So Kullu is special for more reasons than one. I am so grateful to have been able to share Kullu and all its magic with everyone we love." - Tripat
Designing a Dream: A Pink Bridal Lehenga for Our Kotwara Bride
The journey of creating a bridal lehenga is one of the most intimate collaborations we embark on at Kotwara. It all begins with listening. When Tripat came to us, our conversation felt less like a design consultation and more like a reunion, fondly reminding me of our shared days at UAL. She had a vision for her outfit that was beautifully clear and went far beyond aesthetics; it was a desire for comfort, legacy, and profound emotional value.
"I was sure of 3 things for my wedding outfit and jewellery. I wanted to wear something with emotional value that was unique to my aesthetic, which had belonged to my mother and grandmother. I also desired it to be super comfortable and light, so that I could move freely and enjoy myself completely on my special day. Lastly, I wanted my wedding outfit to be something that I could cherish and use time and again, rather than storing it away in a cupboard and forgetting about it. From the very beginning, Sama understood my vision. Working with Sama and our moms to create my outfit was an enjoyable experience for all of us. The creative process brought back fond memories of our time together at UAL. I have always admired Kotwara's aesthetic, and I'm thrilled to own a piece that was made just for me. Whether it was achieving the perfect shade of pink or incorporating ethereal flower details, Sama brought my vision to life beautifully." - Tripat
This design journey was made all the more magical because it was a collaboration between two mothers and two daughters—my mother and I, and Tripat and her mother, Jaspreet. Our afternoons spent in the studio, surrounded by fabrics and sketches, were filled with so much more than just design; they were filled with stories, laughter, and the palpable joy of a mother helping to create her daughter's dream. Jaspreet was the heart of this process, and her words to me afterwards perfectly captured the fairy tale we all felt we were a part of.
"Sama you rescued me from a loooong search for that perfect wedding lehenga and also you have the cutest mom who was so patient around both our girls. I will cherish the memory of the four of us creating that amazing lehenga in the House of Kotwara, those few afternoons... Cinderella and the fairy godmothers.... weaving patterns of love with so much affection... getting too effusive🤭 You made the fairy tale come alive." - Jaspreet (Tripat's mother)
Reading these words from Tripat’s mother, Jaspreet, I felt an overwhelming urge to hug her so tight. Her message was a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do here at Kotwara. It’s never just about the threads and the embroidery; it's about the privilege of weaving our craft into the fabric of a family's story. To know that the memory of creating the lehenga became as precious as the heirloom itself is the most profound affirmation we could ever hope for.
Heartfelt words on new beginnings...
After the whirlwind of planning and celebration, I find there's always a moment for quiet reflection. Having just embarked on this beautiful journey, I was curious to know what wisdom Tripat would share with other brides-to-be. Her perspective, much like her personal style, is a refreshing blend of modern thought and timeless authenticity.
“There is no right advice, it all depends on what resonates with you... Not every girl is the same, so how can their perception of the world be the same? We all come in with our own, stories and values, justified in their own context. My advice to future brides would be just have fun and be authentic to yourself. Personal style is timeless, trends change with every scroll so don’t go down insta-rabbit holes.” - Tripat
While a bride's own insight is invaluable, the wisdom passed down from a mother carries a unique weight and warmth. A mother's blessing is one of the most powerful heirlooms of all. Jaspreet’s words for her daughter are not so much advice, but a beautiful, heartfelt wish for a life filled with love.
“Every bride has her own insight from their experiences... and every mother has blessings for her daughter no matter... I wish Tripat an abundance of love. Know how to give it generously and receive it joyfully with gratitude to the universe” - Jaspreet (Tripat’s mother)
And finally, to complete the picture, we have the perspective that lies at the very heart of the day. Beyond all the advice and blessings, there is the simple, profound moment of seeing one another, when the rest of the world fades away. Rehmat’s words perfectly capture that breathtaking feeling from a groom’s point of view.
“In my mind I was already marrying the most beautiful girl in the prettiest setting I could imagine. But then she appeared on my side, slowly revealing herself in subtle pink. I think the smile on my face said it all - from that moment and beyond I am the luckiest person on earth.” - Rehmat (Tripat’s partner)
Three distinct voices—the bride, the mother, and the groom—each sharing a piece of their heart. Together, they paint a beautiful picture of what a new beginning is truly about: self-truth, unconditional love, and that one breathtaking moment that starts it all. It’s a reminder that while every wedding is unique, the emotions that define it are universal.
What has been the most useful, or useless advice you've received while planning your wedding (whether there is or isn't a partner in the picture)!
Heirlooms, old and new...
"This jewellery set was passed down to me by my grandmother who received it as a wedding present from her father-in-law, Sardar Baldev Singh (Pictured in the frame behind me). He was the first defence minister of India and had a great eye for detail. The set was made in the 1950’s in Bombay using old mine cut diamonds from Golconda and Burmese rubies set in an Art Deco style." ~ Tripat
A Designer's Reflection: Sama-thing to ponder...
When working with creative people, positive energy can truly make a difference. What you put out into the universe is often what you receive in return.
I feel incredibly blessed to have met so many amazing women and their supportive mothers, partners, and families during the pandemic. These relationships have been instrumental in my personal journey as a feminist, designer, and keeper of culture .
They have taught me to recognize love, talent, and commitment in all forms. Through the trust my brides place in me, I feel empowered to guide them through the process of bringing their dream outfits to life.
It's an honour to be a part of such a significant memory in someone's life, and I cherish every opportunity to meet and work with such wonderful women who have become fans of my work, and I theirs...
A Toast to 'Old' New Beginnings
Tripat and Rehmat’s wedding was more than just an event; it was a testament to the enduring power of love against a backdrop of global uncertainty. It celebrated the profound beauty of intimate moments, the strength of family bonds, and the legacy of traditions passed down through generations. Seeing them, surrounded by the magic of the Kullu hills and the warmth of their loved ones, was a privilege.
We at House of Kotwara are honored to have been a small part of their story. May their life together be as beautiful and richly detailed as the heirlooms they cherished on their wedding day.
Love,
Wedding Details:
Venue - Private Residence, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Decor - Aashna Saran | Aash studio
Make-up Artist - Shradha Luthra
Photography - Sutej Pannu
Wedding Planner - Mandap Martini
Hair - Ruchi Arya
Bride's Outfit - House of Kotwara
Heirloom Jewellery - Private Collection
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