Monica and Vivek’s Iconic 3 Day Wedding Celebration at the Great Pyramids of Giza by Naman Verma

What can I say about today’s wedding, other than WOW!!!! When Vivek the groom emailed me and asked if I wanted to feature it, there was only one answer, a big fat YES!!! Vivek told me, ‘We were the first British couple – and only the third wedding ever – to be granted permission to host a private celebration at the pyramids. The event was a large-scale, multi-day production in Egypt and has already received coverage from British Vogue and Conde Nast.’ Not only that, their Hindu ceremony was held at a private island palace on the Nile owned by their friend Prince Naguib. The wedding started back in London earlier on in the year, with a small intimate ceremony. It was then carried on in Egypt between 3-6 September and what a spectacle it is! The pure scale and beauty of this wedding really is something, every aspect has been so well thought out and meticulously planned, it really is the feast for the eyes. However there is only one thing greater than the view of the pyramids it’s Monica and Vivek themselves, what a beautiful couple they are, so in love and so completely stunning. Huge thanks to Naman Verma for these gorgeous photos, he really has done a first class job of capturing this wedding.

Iconic, emotional and spiritually grounding, everything we dreamed of and more. Celebrating beneath the illuminated Pyramids with our closest family and friends is a moment we will carry with us forever.

Monica and Vivek held an intimate registry ceremony at Marylebone Town Hall in London, followed by a reception at St James’s Court Hotel earlier in 2025. This was followed by their larger celebration in Egypt from 3 to 6 September 2025. A Haldi at Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah on the banks of the Nile, a Hindu ceremony at a private island palace on the Nile owned by their friend Prince Naguib, and the final reception at the Great Pyramids of Giza. ‘Egypt holds deep personal meaning for us. Vivek worked in Cairo with the International Monetary Fund earlier in his career, and the city has always felt significant. The opportunity to celebrate at the Great Pyramids came through a collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. We were one of only three couples ever permitted to celebrate at the site, and all associated fees were directed to the continued conservation of the monument. We had 50 guests for the legal marriage in London. Then 180 for the Haldi, 180 for the Hindu ceremony and reception at the Pyramids. It took around a year to plan. Because there was no blueprint for what we were doing, we travelled to Cairo four times throughout the year, coordinating with planners, architects and Ministry officials.’

How they met 
We met in 2015 while studying at neighbouring universities, Vivek at the London School of Economics and Monica at King’s College London. We grew closer towards the end of 2019, discovering shared values, ambition and a love for travel and culture.

The proposal
In February 2024, we travelled to Nepal to trek to Everest Base Camp, a dream years in the making. For two weeks, Vivek secretly carried the ring in his backpack. At the end of the trek, we flew to Jaipur. On the rooftop of Samode Palace at sunset, Vivek got down on one knee as fireworks lit up the sky.

Where did you splurge and where did you save?
We splurged where memories would live: photography, videography, and the experience itself at the Pyramids.

How did you choose your photographer?
We chose Naman Verma for his ability to capture atmosphere and scale.

The dress 
Designers were sourced from London, Cairo and Delhi to reflect our British, Indian and Egyptian heritage. All jewellery was custom made by Vivek’s father, a fifth generation jeweller. Designers: Bride  – Dolljstudio and Daniellefrankel.

Groom
Huntsmansavilerow and Qubik.

Theme or colour scheme
Our theme was our three heritages: British, Indian and Egyptian. The Hindu mandap was draped in soft pink hues. The reception venue at the Pyramids was designed in sand and clay tones to blend seamlessly into the desert landscape.

Flowers
A floral mandap in soft pink hues for the Hindu ceremony, with complementary florals framing the palace courtyard. At the Pyramids, the floral palette was intentionally restrained so the monument itself remained the focus.

Decoration
At the palace, an alfresco courtyard illuminated by thousands of fairy lights and framed by the palace walls. At the Pyramids, a purpose built venue in sand and clay tones, with the illuminated Pyramids and Sphinx as the backdrop. For ten consecutive nights after the plateau closed at 6pm, our team built the entire venue on the desert sand, including stages, kitchens, lighting and full infrastructure, before dismantling it within two nights of the celebration.

Food
A refined blend of Indian, Egyptian and British cuisine, from spiced curries and Egyptian grills to classic British desserts.

Entertainment
Egyptian drummers led guests from the pier to the mandap at the Hindu ceremony. Dancing followed under the stars in the alfresco courtyard. At the Pyramids reception, biodegradable lanterns floated into the desert sky as ‘What a Wonderful World’ played, a carefully approved and environmentally conscious element of the evening.

Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Bora Bora. A well earned pause after such an unforgettable few days.

Personal touches
All jewellery was custom made by Vivek’s father, a fifth generation jeweller. Our family priest travelled from London to lead the Haldi. Our friend Prince Naguib, a descendant of Egypt’s former royal family, hosted the Hindu ceremony at his private island palace on the Nile. Designers were sourced from London, Cairo and Delhi to honour all three heritages. The experience also inspired us to focus more intentionally on charitable work, as a way of giving back after such a meaningful chapter.

Special moments 
Entering the Pyramids plateau beneath the illuminated monuments for our first dance. Dinner served at the foot of the Sphinx. The moment the biodegradable lanterns floated into the desert sky to ‘What a Wonderful World’. Our 180 guests crossing the Nile by sailing boats to the island palace, led from the pier to the mandap by Egyptian drummers.

Advice for other couples
Choose a location with meaning. The scale matters less than the connection, whether that is to a city, a tradition, or the people around you. And be prepared to be surprised: the moments that move you most are rarely the ones you planned.

Biggest surprise 
How visibly moved our guests were when they entered the Pyramids plateau. We had expected the reaction to the place, but not the depth of emotion it drew from the people we love.

Supplier Shout Outs

• Photographer: Naman Verma (@namanverma)
• Videographer: House On The Clouds (@thehouseontheclouds)
• London Registry: Marylebone Town Hall
• London Reception: St James’s Court Hotel
• Egypt Day One (Haldi): Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah
• Egypt Day Two (Hindu Ceremony): Private island palace on the Nile, hosted by Prince Naguib
• Egypt Day Three (Reception): The Great Pyramids of Giza, in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
• Jewellery: Custom by the groom’s family (fifth generation jewellers)
• Designers: Bride  – Dolljstudio and Daniellefrankel. Groom – Huntsmansavilerow and Qubik.
• Groom: Vivek Nandha @_viveknandha
• Bride: Dr Monica Nayyar @moniicanayyar