Everything you need to know about the Shahid-Mira wedding

Delhi: Oh, well. Actor Shahid Kapoor could not be persuaded to wear mehendi during the pre-wedding festivities at bride-to-be Mira Rajpur’s Chhatarpur farmhouse last evening.

So the bride wore his initials on her hands.

The group of mehendi artists called from Chandi Chowk to adorn their hands could not lay their hands on the actor, but were very happy with their designs for Mira. One of them, Reshma, could only gush about the soon-to-be Mrs Kapoor. “She is sober and simple and so are her choices. But we painted a very intricate design,” she said. As is the custom, Shahid's initials were also drawn in the intricate mehendi design, Reshma said. "Without that, no dulhan’s mehendi is complete. It is a shagun and is symbolic of the love and dedication towards one's partner."

The venue was brightly lit and fully guarded resounded of Bollywood hit songs, mostly from Shahid’s movies. “What Shahid up to the mehendi dare?” we ask the group. “He was too shy, but Mira looked dazzling in a yellow lehenga.”

As Shahid Kapoor finally gets ready to tie the knot today to Mira Rajput, all eyes are on the sprawling wedding venue at the Trident, Gurgaon. As mother, Neelima Azim has been asked by estranged husband Pankaj Kapoor to give the ‘shagun’ to Mira Rajput as is tradition. The traditional 'chuda' (red bangles that the bride-to-be wears on the day of her wedding) is followed by the ‘shagun’ ceremony presided by the mother-in-law. "We're in the midst of performing the shagun. I'm a proud mother and mother in law," she said over phone.

The veteran actress-cum-dancer has revealed the bride and groom are likely to make an appearance after the wedding today. "I'm overwhelmed at the amount of love and blessing my children have received. I'm thankful to everyone," Neelima said, adding the marriage will be performed according to Hindu rites.

We hear the couple will also have a grand reception in Mumbai later this week on July 12. Shahid and Mira met through the religious group Radha Soami Satsang Beas. Rumour has it that couple got engaged on January 14 on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti. It was initially stated that they would tie the knot in June, but that turned out to be just a rumour.

• Venue: Mira’s Chattarpur farmhouse. The ceremony will be followed by a grand afterparty at Trident, Gurgaon. The wedding will be attended by family, friends and the leader of the spiritual group Radha Soami Satsang Beas.
• Wedding attire: Kunal Rawal has designed 10 outfits for the groom that includes ethnic wear like achkans and bandhgalas. And for Mira, it will be Anamika Khanna creations. We hear the couple’s wedding attire will be colour-coordinated.
• Menu: It has been heard that the menu will be strictly vegetarian. The after-party will have a mix of Indian and continental cuisine.
• Playlist @ sangeet

1. Dhating Naach
2. Tu Mere Agal Bagal Hai
3. Sari ke fall sa
4. Mauja hi Mauja
5. Raat ke Dhai Baje

• Making of wedding card: Designer Ravish Kapoor, who is behind the turquoise and off-white invite, said the colour combination, detailing and gifts accompanying the wedding card were Shahid’s choice. “The credit for colour combination goes to Shahid as he was very particular about colours. From the peacock logo to the font, Shahid chose everything. Initially it was his family, who were involved but when the sample was shown to Shahid, he got involved regarding the changes, the colour combination, what gifts to go with it,” Ravish told PTI.

The card and the gifts were packed in the form of a tea blend, as Shahid's actor father Pankaj Kapur is a tea lover. “Pankaj sir is a tea connoisseur, so we thought let’s make a tea blend for them. It is a special blend. It has tea and honey,” said the designer, whose previous clients include Shilpa Shetty and Hrithik Roshan.