Deborah Chan
Anant Ambani, son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant, hosted their pre-wedding celebrations in Jamnagar, Gujarat, from March 1 to 3, 2024. The three-day event, which preceded the couple's wedding in July, welcomed 1,000 high-profile guests from across the world, including Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Rihanna, and Ivanka Trump. The celebrations included lavish cocktail and dinner parties, a visit to Anant's animal rescue centre, and performances by leading Bollywood actors. The choice of Jamnagar as the venue held special significance for Anant, as it is his grandmother's birthplace and the town where his father and grandfather started their business.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of guests | 1,000 |
| Guest profile | Global celebrities, sports stars, politicians, business and tech elites, singers, Bollywood actors, royals |
| Guest names | Rihanna, Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, Bill Gates, Ivanka Trump, Melinda Gates, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Adani, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Sundar Pichai, Shantanu Narayen, Bob Iger, Larry Fink, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Lynn Forester de Rothschild |
| Accommodation | Super slick and glamorous tents |
| Dress code | Elegant cocktail attire, jungle fever, South Asian attire, heritage Indian attire |
| Food | Prepared by over 100 chefs, 2,500 dishes |
| Catering cost | £20 million |
| Budget | £120 million |
| Date | 1-3 March 2024 |
| Location | Jamnagar, Gujarat, India |
| Reason for choosing the location | Birthplace of Anant's grandmother, birthplace of Mukesh Ambani, town where Dhirubhai Ambani started his business, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Wed in India' call |
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What You'll Learn
The three-day pre-wedding extravaganza
The first day of the celebrations was themed 'An Evening in Everland', with guests wearing elegant cocktail attire. The second day, 'A Walk on the Wildside', took place at the Ambanis' 3,000-acre animal rescue centre, Vantara, with a ''jungle fever' dress code. The third day featured events like 'Tusker Trails' and 'Hashtakshar', where guests donned heritage Indian attire and enjoyed the natural beauty of Jamnagar.
The guests were treated to lavish cocktail and dinner parties in stunningly decorated locations, with food prepared by over 100 chefs, and the catering contract alone costing a rumoured £20 million. Three leading Bollywood actors, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan, performed on stage, and Rihanna gave her first full-length concert in eight years. Guests were also treated to charter jets, hairstyling, and other extravagant arrangements.
The pre-wedding festivities also included an intimate 'anna seva' community food service with 51,000 guests in the Ambanis' hometown, where the couple wore coordinating red outfits.
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A-list celebrities and politicians in attendance
The wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Jamnagar saw a host of A-list celebrities and politicians in attendance. The three-day pre-wedding extravaganza, which preceded the actual wedding in July, attracted around 1000 high-profile guests from across the globe.
The guest list for the pre-wedding festivities included the likes of Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, who arrived in Jamnagar, setting the tone for the star-studded event. Rihanna, the pop sensation, also graced the occasion with her presence and reportedly performed for the couple, adding a musical touch to the celebrations.
Ivanka Trump, known for her political career and association with the Trump family, was another notable figure at the pre-wedding bash. The presence of these prominent individuals underscored the influence and prestige of the Ambani family.
The pre-wedding events also witnessed the attendance of Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, further emphasising the global reach and stature of the celebration. The Ambani family's ability to attract such renowned guests is a testament to their prominence and connections.
The wedding celebrations also included a visit to Anant Ambani's 3,000-acre animal rescue centre, Vantara, where guests donned jungle-themed outfits, showcasing the unique and creative aspects of the festivities.
The main wedding ceremony, which took place in July, was also a star-studded affair. Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Priyanka Chopra, and Tony Blair were among the famous faces in attendance. The presence of these celebrities and politicians transformed the wedding into an international event, attracting media attention and curiosity from around the world.
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Rihanna performs for the first time in eight years
Rihanna performed her first full concert in eight years in Jamnagar, India, as part of a three-day pre-wedding celebration for Anant Ambani, the son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, and his fiancée, Radhika Merchant. The event was held at the Ambanis' 750-acre property, Reliance Greens, in Jamnagar, and was attended by approximately 1,000 to 1,200 high-profile guests, including celebrities, politicians, sports stars, and business leaders.
Rihanna allegedly received £5 million for her performance, which included some of her greatest hits, such as "Work," "Bitch Better Have My Money," and "All of the Lights." The singer wore a sheer green gown and later changed into a trendy ensemble of a silky skirt over cargo pants with pointed heels. After her performance, Rihanna joined the festivities, dancing with actress Janhvi Kapoor and singing along to Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A."
The pre-wedding celebration was an extravagant affair, with a rumoured budget of £120 million. The catering contract alone reportedly cost £20 million, and guests were served food prepared by over 100 chefs. The event also included a visit to Anant Ambani's 3,000-acre animal rescue centre, Vantara, where guests wore special jungle-themed outfits. The lavish decorations included fairy lights and carefully crafted thematics.
The guest list for the pre-wedding celebration included Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, Bill Gates, Ivanka Trump, Deepika Padukone, and leading Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan. The Ambanis' celebration was described as a "'party like no other,' showcasing the family's tradition of lavish and over-the-top parties, as well as their economic and political clout.
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Jamnagar's significance to the Ambani family
Jamnagar holds a deep and meaningful connection to the Ambani family. Firstly, it is the birthplace of Anant's grandmother, Kokilaben Ambani. Secondly, it is also the place where Dhirubhai Ambani founded Reliance Industries.
Anant Ambani, the son of Indian billionaire and Asia's richest man, Mukesh Ambani, chose Jamnagar as the venue for his pre-wedding festivities due to its significance in his family's history. Jamnagar, located in the western Indian state of Gujarat, is renowned for housing one of India's largest conglomerates, founded by the Ambani family.
The Ambanis have established the Jamnagar Special Economic Zone, which has contributed significantly to the region's economic development through various industrial units and infrastructure projects. Jamnagar has witnessed the development of social infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and community centers, enhancing the overall quality of life for its residents.
The presence of Reliance Industries in Jamnagar has led to increased employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, providing sustainable livelihoods to the people. The Jamnagar complex is known for its technological advancements in the refining and petrochemical sectors.
Additionally, Jamnagar is also home to the world's biggest wildlife showcase, the Green Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Kingdom, built by Reliance Industries Limited. The city is fondly referred to as the "'Jewel of Gujarat'" and serves as a blend of tradition, culture, and modernity.
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The wedding's cost and criticism of wealth inequality
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Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding celebrations were spread over multiple days and locations, with a pre-wedding event in Jamnagar, a cruise in Europe, and the wedding ceremony in Mumbai. The cost of the wedding is estimated to be between $600 million and $1 billion, with the catering contract alone costing £20 million. The extravagant celebrations, which included performances by Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Bollywood stars, have drawn criticism from some Indian politicians and the public due to the excessive spending and the wealth inequality in India.
The pre-wedding festivities in Jamnagar, described as a three-day bash, reportedly cost Rs 1,000 crore (approximately £120 million). The event was held at the Ambanis' 750-acre property, which was transformed into a wonderland adorned with fairy lights and floral designs. The guest list included celebrities, politicians, and business leaders from India and abroad, with Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Rihanna among the notable attendees. The event also featured a visit to Anant Ambani's 3,000-acre animal rescue centre with a jungle-themed dress code.
The actual wedding ceremony took place in Mumbai, India, at the Antilia building and Jio Convention Centre. The venue was decorated with floral designs and sculptures, including 60 floral animal sculptures created by florist Preston Bailey. The guest list for the wedding was estimated to be in the "few thousands," with a mix of celebrities, politicians, and business leaders. The bride, Radhika Merchant, wore a bridal lehenga that was described as "a vision of elegance and tradition," and her jewellery included a central emerald and diamond necklace designed by Nisha Mehta.
The extravagant spending on the wedding celebrations has faced significant criticism from some Indian politicians and the public. Shahid Siddiqui, a former member of the upper house of Parliament, called it the "most vulgar and ostentatious marriage ever seen." Thomas Isaac, a former finance minister for Kerala, stated that "such ostentatious expenditure is a sin." The high cost of the wedding, estimated to be up to $1 billion, has highlighted the wealth inequality in India, where the average annual salary is around $2,750. Some members of the Indian public expressed frustration with the system that allows such inequality, while others defended the Ambani family, stating that they earned their money and have the right to spend it on their children.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant took place in Mumbai, India.
The pre-wedding celebrations took place in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
Around 1,000 guests attended the pre-wedding celebrations, including Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Rihanna, Ivanka Trump, and many more.
The couple hosted lavish cocktail and dinner parties, and visited Vantara, Anant Ambani's 3,000-acre animal rescue centre.
