By Sondos Elgebaly

Vivek and Monica’s wedding made history, creating unforgettable memories at one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramids of Giza.

The first Indian couple to take over the Pyramids for their luxury destination wedding, Vivek Nandha and Dr Monica Nayyar’s celebration was an experience that extended far beyond the ceremony itself. The festivities began in London before moving to Egypt, where three days of celebrations unfolded overlooking the Nile, followed by a dinner at a former royal palace on a private island in the middle of the Nile. The festivities took a spectacular turn with a wedding reception at the Pyramids, with the entire Giza Plateau, encompassing all nine pyramids and the Sphinx, taken over exclusively for their special day.

The couple’s story began in London in 2015, when Vivek was studying at the London School of Economics and Dr. Monica was training in dentistry at King’s College London. For years, they were part of the same London social circle. They knew each other, but everything changed in 2019 during lockdown, when they began spending endless hours together.

“We shared the same culture, same values, and the sense of how important family is,” the couple said. “We also discovered a shared love of travel and exploring new places, new food, and cultures together. That led us to travel to more than 60 destinations side by side, and every trip has brought us closer.”

Egypt has long been part of the couple’s story. Vivek previously spent time in Cairo while working with the United Nations, and the couple have returned to the city many times since. As they explained, their connection to Egypt made it the natural choice for their wedding.

“Cairo has an energy unlike anywhere else. From the life along the Nile to the warmth and generosity of the people, then there is the history, which is simply unmatched. You’re surrounded by thousands of years of civilisation at every turn, and it never stops being humbling. Having travelled so widely, we knew nowhere else could offer that sense of grandeur and meaning, so when it came to choosing where to marry, it was always going to be Egypt.”

Pulling off a destination wedding in Egypt, with a reception at the Great Pyramids of Giza, took the couple a year and a half of planning. Their wedding celebrations began in London with a civil ceremony at Marylebone Town Hall, followed by a reception at the Taj St James’ Court and further celebrations at their family homes.

The festivities then moved to Egypt for three days, beginning with an intimate haldi and mehndi at the Sofitel on the Nile, with the couple’s family priest flying in from London. The wedding celebrations continued at Dahab Island Palace, a private pink palace belonging to Prince Naguib Hassan, a descendant of the Mamluks, who ruled Egypt for around 300 years, and a close family friend of the couple. “It was always on our minds,” the couple shared, explaining their choice of venue.

Set on its own island and accessible only by boat, the palace welcomed 180 guests from around the world. Guests arrived by water and were led by Egyptian drummers into the palace gardens, where the couple married beneath a floral mandap. Dinner followed in the courtyard, illuminated by thousands of fairy lights, before the celebrations continued late into the evening.

The final celebration took place at the Great Pyramids of Giza, where the moment everything came together was marked by the opening notes of What a Wonderful World, as 200 lanterns rose into the night sky above the illuminated pyramids and Sphinx.

“Very few people have ever been granted private access to the Pyramids. We became only the third couple in history, and the first Indian couple, to do so,” the couple proudly shared.

The entire plateau was closed to the public, and it took their team more than ten nights to build a bespoke venue in the desert. Designed in sand and clay tones, the setting was created to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

“Standing there alone before our guests arrived, in complete silence, is something very few people will ever experience.”

When it came to choosing their wedding looks, the couple wanted to reflect their British upbringing and Indian heritage while honouring Egypt. “We wanted our looks to reflect our British upbringing and Indian heritage while honouring Egypt.” Vivek’s suits were made on Savile Row, while Monica wore Dolly J for every event in Egypt, including a bespoke lehenga for the Hindu ceremony.

The jewellery was the most personal element, with every piece handmade by Vivek’s father, a fifth-generation jeweller, who personally sourced each gemstone. “They are true heirlooms now.”

Looking back on their wedding, the couple recalled the moments that stayed with them most, particularly the rare opportunity to spend time alone at the Pyramids.

“Those few minutes alone at the Pyramids. It’s a site that usually belongs to the whole world, and for a moment it belonged only to us. The lanterns later that night came a close second. We hope that whenever we look back, it reminds us that the most extraordinary moments in life are the ones we create together. It was iconic, and we’d do it all again in a heartbeat,” they shared.