It seemed like the world was celebrating International Wedding Day when on Monday (December 11) as Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma finally exchanged their vows without much fanfare in Milan, Italy.
The collaboration of Bollywood and Cricket brings a lot of media attention. But to everyone's surprise, the madly-in-love newlyweds somehow managed to maintain secrecy around their marraige. So how did they achieve this impossible task? Read on.
Wedding planners Shaadi Squad, who did all the hush-hush prep and managed to bring India to Italy, have revealed on Instagram how they manage to pull off something of this magnitude.
"The past few weeks have been absolutely surreal and as we sit typing this out, it's sort of settling in! Four months of keeping a secret, hiding even from our own team, the secret recces, midnight meetings, vague conversations, and sleepless nights have finally manifested into this grand moment. Thank you Anuskha and Virat, for making us part of your family and trusting us to pull off something of this magnitude. You believed in us, even on those sleepless nights that we didn't!
A huge shout out to everyone who stood with us through this and created magic all along the way - @devikanarainandcompany (for transforming our mad plans into magic!), @storiesbyjosephradhik (for making everything and everyone look so damn good!), @theweddingfilmer (for making this weekend eternal for all of us! ), @ritudalmia (for bringing India to Italy!), @supertuscanweddingplanners (for being an extension of us in Tuscany). And above all of it, to our own incredible team, for being the pillars behind us! @rriddhittalwalkar @pragati_malhotra you guys rock This is extra extra special ❤️ #weddingplanning #weddingproduction #shaadisquad #virushka," Shaadi Squad wrote.
Fixing the wedding
Virat and Anushka's families met in Sri Lanka last year and discussed the wedding this December.
The couple, who always remained guarded about the relationship in public, made sure they hid their biggest secret under the cloak of constant denials.
However, it was Virat who surprised everyone when he posted a heartfelt message to his lady love on Valentine's Day this year, and still didn't give away anything to the media.
Fulfilling work commitments
After the family preist announced a December wedding, Virat and Anushka pulled up their socks and decided to fulfil their individual work commitments to begin preparations for their big day.
While Anushka informed all her directors and producers about her unavailability for at least a
month from December and wrapped up her portions for Aanand L Rai's upcoming film with Shah Rukh Khan, Virat continued to play cricket for India until the last few weeks.
The handsome groom also wrapped up his endorsement projects.
A private family WhatsApp group
Both Virat and Anushka families used a smart way to communicate with each other without revealing the intimate details to anyone else outside their WhatsApp group.
From discussing the invitation card to zeroing in on the venue, both families began preparations and maintained the secrecy around the big fat wedding.
No Bollywood celebrities or cricketers
It would've been very difficult for both Virat and Anushka if they had invited any of their Bollywood-cricket friends to their wedding since a secret never remains a secret even it is spilled accidentally in public.
The couple wanted to have an intimate affair with just their close friends and family members. They did just that wwhen they tied the knot away from all the limelight, just as intended.
While Anushka was very clear from the start, Virat made sure he fulfils her wish. However, the couple will be hosting a reception in New Delhi for their relatives on December 21 which will be followed by a reception for industry friends and cricketers in Mumbai on December 26.
India in Italy
Indian celebrity chef and restaurateur Ritu Dalmia was in charge of the banquet, which was loaded with a sumptuous and luxurious meal.
Be it Bikaneri-style porcini mushrooms or stuffed roti with paneer kurchan, the tailor-made menu of Virat and Anushka's wedding was impressive with extensive South Indian dishes and desserts like rabdi and other North Indian delicacies.
Wedding theme
Lucknow girl Devika Narain, who is known for her high-profile destination wedding assignments, conceptualised and clicked Virat and Anushka's wedding along with her photographer husband Joseph Radhik.
Well-known fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee designed the wedding ensemble for both the bride and the groom.
