Rashmika Mandanna–Vijay Deverakonda chose Udaipur for their big day! But who first made the 'City of Lakes' India’s destination wedding hub?

Udaipur has once again witnessed a star-studded union. Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda chose the 'City of Lakes' as the setting for their intimate yet opulent wedding, blending South Indian rituals with Rajasthan’s royal splendour.

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Against the backdrop of Lake Pichola and the Aravalli hills, their celebration unfolded like a grand cinematic spectacle — equal parts tradition and timeless elegance. The wedding has reignited fascination with Udaipur as India’s ultimate destination for high-profile nuptials.

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Yet, this love affair between celebrities and the 'City of Lakes' began over two decades ago.

The Wedding That Changed Udaipur’s Fate: Raveena Tandon’s 2004 Ceremony Sparked a Trend!

In February 2004, Raveena Tandon married film distributor Anil Thadani in a wedding that redefined Indian luxury celebrations. Hosted at the majestic Jag Mandir Palace, with pre-wedding festivities at Shiv Niwas Palace, the ceremony fused heritage grandeur with personal sentiment.

Arriving in a century-old doli once used by Mewar royalty, Raveena embodied regal grace. Her bridal outfit carried emotional depth — a revival of her mother’s sari, redesigned into an intricately embroidered lehenga by Manav Gangwani. The spectacle captivated the nation and introduced Udaipur as more than a tourist paradise; it became the blueprint for destination weddings in India.

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From Royal Retreat to Celebrity Wedding Capital

Following that landmark celebration, Udaipur evolved into a magnet for the elite. British actress Elizabeth Hurley and businessman Arun Nayar hosted lavish ceremonies here. Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh tied the knot with Rukmini Sahay amid royal settings.

More recently, Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha exchanged vows at the iconic The Leela Palace Udaipur, reaffirming the city’s unmatched charm. Cricketer Hardik Pandya also renewed vows with Natasa Stankovic in this romantic setting.

Today, Udaipur’s destination wedding industry is valued in hundreds of crores, a thriving sector born from one unforgettable ceremony in 2004.

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As Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda step into married life amid shimmering lakes and palace domes, they add another glittering chapter to the legacy that first began with Raveena Tandon’s royal “I do.”