A wedding that stunned a nation
The wedding of Netra Mantena and Vamsi Gadiraju wasn’t just another luxury celebration – it became the moment that put Udaipur back on the global map as India’s most glamorous destination for royal weddings.
From fireworks over Lake Pichola to performances by Jennifer Lopez and Bollywood stars, every frame of this viral event became a benchmark for modern Indian opulence.
Who are Netra and Vamsi?
Netra, daughter of Orlando-based pharma entrepreneur Rama Raju Mantena, comes from a well-known international business family. Vamsi, the groom, is the co-founder and CTO of Superorder, a US-based tech platform.
Both studied and worked abroad, yet chose to celebrate their wedding in Rajasthan’s lake city, reflecting how diaspora couples continue to value and honor Indian heritage. Their love story unfolds like a modern fairytale: they first met at the US Open in New York, grew closer over dinner dates, and later got engaged in Cabo, Mexico – a moment Vogue India highlighted when Netra recalled that the proposal featured Baccarat candles and her favorite dishes.
Why Udaipur remains India’s destination wedding capital
Couples often dream of foreign beaches or European castles, yet Udaipur continues to win hearts. Planners at Destination Weddings in India describe the city as having “its own heartbeat” – cool lake breezes, golden sandstone walls and the scent of rosewater and marigold that makes guests whisper “This is it”. The combination of heritage architecture and warm hospitality is hard to replicate elsewhere.
Choosing a wedding location isn’t just about photographs; it’s about how the place feels. The City Palace Udaipur wedding venues are centuries old but still vibrate with life. Many couples today also prefer ecologically conscious celebrations; Udaipur allows lavish décor with locally sourced flowers and artisans. If you’re curious about how destination celebrations are evolving, our post on What is a Destination Wedding? explores trends like intimate guest lists and eco‑friendly décor.
The palaces that hosted the century’s most talked‑about wedding
Jagmandir Island Palace – the ceremony
Jagmandir sits like a marble jewel in the middle of Lake Pichola. Guests reach it by boat, watching lanterns flicker on the water as the palace glows. Netra and Vamsi chose this 17th‑century palace for their wedding pheras. During the varmala, soft music played while the lake shimmered behind the mandap – “many guests openly teared up”. The venue’s exclusivity and breathtaking sunsets make it one of Udaipur’s most coveted spots.
Taj Lake Palace – haldi & mehendi
For the haldi ceremony, the couple used the poolside at Taj Lake Palace. The Indian Express notes that floral arrangements in rainbow colours and citrus trees provided natural shade. Netra wore a pastel lehenga and Vamsi a blush bandhgala with a yellow elephant brooch. Guests adhered to the yellow dress code, filling the palace with saris, lehengas and kurtas.
The mehendi evening brought acrobats and even Cirque du Soleil artists, according to Destination Weddings in India. Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit danced to “Dola Re Dola” while Cirque performers joined her on stage. The entertainment blurred the lines between a function and a show, yet guests still felt like family.
City Palace (Manek Chowk) – star‑studded sangeet
The City Palace Udaipur wedding ambience is naturally grand, but this sangeet went beyond expectations.
Bollywood stars like Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Nora Fatehi, Janhvi Kapoor, and Madhuri Dixit performed. Even Donald Trump Jr. was spotted at the event – a rare blend of Bollywood and global high society.
Leela Palace & Zenana Mahal – welcome dinner and parties
The welcome dinner showcased a beautiful mix of Rajasthani architecture and New York-inspired design. DJ Tiësto headlined the after-party, showing how seamlessly tradition and global pop culture can coexist.
A timeline of opulence: five days of celebrations
Like many Indian marriages, Netra and Vamsi’s wedding spanned several days, each with its own theme. Breaking it down helps couples see how large weddings manage flow and guest experience.
- Day 1 – Grand welcome party: A DJ night lit with purple lights and jasmine scent welcomed guests to the Leela. This laid‑back evening allowed families from India and abroad to mingle.
- Day 2 – Sangeet extravaganza: The star‑studded sangeet at City Palace saw Bollywood actors dance alongside guests. Cirque du Soleil performers added a circus element while Madhuri Dixit reprised her iconic dance numbers.
- Day 3 – Haldi & Mehendi: Morning haldi at Taj Lake Palace featured pastel outfits and rainbow florals. At night the mehendi party included aerial acrobats and a Cirque du Soleil – style show.
- Day 4 – Royal wedding ceremony: On Jagmandir Island, the couple exchanged garlands with the lake reflecting the mandap. The ceremony had emotional moments – some guests wiped away tears.
- Day 5 – Reception with international stars: The reception back at City Palace featured an international guest list of around 450–520 people. Jennifer Lopez performed her hits in a custom Swarovski sari, while Hello! Magazine reports that she wore a rose‑gold saree with jewel embellishments. Event designer Ambika Gupta revealed that a 15‑foot wedding cake was sculpted to resemble a miniature palace, and even the haldi party used a DJ booth crafted from rattan.
Fashion that sparked trends
One reason this celebration captured attention is because of its fashion. Destination Weddings in India describes Netra’s wedding lehenga as a heavily embroidered red ensemble weighing around 13 – 15 kg. She accessorised with jewellery that chimed gently as she moved.
At the welcome dinner, she wore a custom Tarun Tahiliani lehenga blending Rajasthani motifs with New York icons. During the haldi, both bride and groom embraced pastel shades, showing that a Udaipur wedding dress doesn’t have to be bright yellow; soft hues can still honour the ritual.
Jennifer Lopez, wearing an Indian saree sparked a global conversation on Indo-Western celebrity dressing. These sartorial choices are already influencing bridal designers for 2026.
Behind the numbers: the cost of grandeur
Rumours swirled about the price tag of this billionaire wedding. Instead of repeating sensational figures, Destination Weddings in India breaks down the costs to illustrate where the money goes.
Exclusive palace bookings like Jagmandir, Taj Lake Palace and City Palace can cost ₹5–₹10 crore. Celebrity performances vary widely, but Jennifer Lopez’s appearance alone is estimated at ₹15–₹17 crore.
Luxury décor across multiple palaces – floral arches, glass mandaps, mirror work and lighting – can add ₹4–₹12 crore. Hospitality and logistics for 450–520 guests may fall between ₹8–₹20 crore, and technical setups for large performances add another ₹0.5–₹2 crore.
While the total may appear eye‑watering, these figures highlight an important lesson: every wedding budget is unique. Two couples using the same venue could spend very different amounts based on décor choices, guest count and artist fees.
At The Wedding Ties, we help clients set realistic budgets and allocate resources wisely, whether it’s an intimate lakefront ceremony or a large‑scale celebration. Our Wedding Budget Breakdown post offers tips on managing costs without compromising on experience.
Sensory details that made the celebration unforgettable
What guests remember most weren’t the celebrities – it was the emotion of the place:
- The smell of marigolds, mogra and lake air
- Dhol beats echo across the water
- Boats gliding past illuminated palaces
- Rajasthan’s flavours – mirchi vada, kachori, ghevar
- Pigeons fluttering across mandaps, unintentionally adding charm
These are the small details that give a Udaipur wedding its soul.
Lessons for couples planning their own regal celebration
- Prioritise the experience: Udaipur weddings feel royal because of the atmosphere, not just the price tag. Focus on music, scents and local touches. Our guide toTop Wedding Decor Themes for Indian Weddings offers ideas ranging from Royal Rajasthani grandeur to eco‑elegance.
- Curate your guest list: The celebration felt intimate despite the star power because the guest list was capped at around 500. Smaller gatherings allow you to invest more per guest and create better experiences.
- Blend tradition and modernity: From Tarun Tahiliani’s lehenga referencing jaalis to DJ Tiësto headlining the after‑party, the couple blended heritage with global tastes. Choose décor, music and outfits that reflect your story.
- Plan a realistic timeline: Netra and Vamsi’s five‑day schedule shows the importance of pacing events. Use our step‑by‑step guide onHow to Create the Perfect Wedding Timeline to organise your own functions so nothing feels rushed.
- Bring professionals on board: Coordinating multiple venues, boat transfers and celebrity performances requires an experienced team. Ourservices cover decor designing, venue sourcing, artist management and logistics so you can savour every moment.
How The Wedding Ties Helps You Craft Your Dream Udaipur Wedding
At The Wedding Ties, we know a destination wedding in Udaipur is more than a royal backdrop – it’s a feeling. From the first boat ride on Lake Pichola to the final goodbye under palace lights, every moment deserves thoughtful planning and a touch of magic.
Our team brings that magic alive by blending creative vision with flawless execution. Whether you imagine a serene ceremony at Jagmandir or an intimate celebration in a heritage courtyard, we help shape your ideas into a seamless, memorable experience.
Over the years, we’ve mastered the art of crafting weddings that feel personal, elegant, and effortless – where the décor, vibe, and story come together beautifully.
If Netra and Vamsi’s celebration inspired your own dream wedding, we’d be happy to guide you. Connect with us to begin your journey toward an unforgettable celebration in Udaipur or anywhere across India.
Call us:+91 9076001926
Email:connect@theweddingties.com
