The backyard shimmered under strings of marigold garlands and fairy lights, glowing warmly in the early evening. Laughter floated through the air as cousins and friends bustled about, their bangles clinking while they posed for candid shots in every corner of the garden. The men were busy at the other end, arranging chairs, adjusting drapes, and making sure every corner looked perfect for the celebration.

Upstairs, however, the bride’s room was pure chaos, an amusing, lively kind of chaos. Close friends and siblings were scattered everywhere: one stumbled over the heavy folds of her lehenga, another complained about her eyeliner being uneven, while someone else begged a friend to fix their hairstyle. The room buzzed with giggles, arguments over lipstick shades, and the sweet scent of mehendi lingering in the air.