Long before intimate destination weddings became the ultimate trend across the nation, a superstar couple executed a near-impossible feat. In December 2017, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli tied the knot in Italy with such impeccable secrecy that it left fans, media, and the entire entertainment industry stunned. Their wedding, devoid of any leaks, paparazzi frenzy, or speculative rumours, set a new gold standard for high-profile Indian weddings.
The 'Covert Operation' That Stunned a Nation
Revisiting the extraordinary planning behind the event, renowned celebrity wedding planner Devika Narain recently highlighted the meticulous execution. In a conversation featuring Karan Johar, Pulkit Samrat, and Kriti Kharbanda for a wedding wear brand, Johar vividly recalled the national surprise. He described the event as a "secret mission," noting that the country woke up to official wedding photographs with no prior inkling that the ceremony was even taking place.
"The texture and DNA of weddings, especially destination weddings, has changed. I would give absolute credit to the Anushka-Virat wedding," Karan Johar stated. "I remember the whole country woke up to this wedding no one knew was happening. It was a covert operation almost. There wasn't even a single hint." He emphasized that from Anushka's bridal walk to the secluded location, the nation was captivated by the couple's personal and private celebration.
Logistics Over Extravagance: The Real Challenge
Devika Narain clarified that the wedding's groundbreaking nature was not defined by opulence but by flawless logistical management. The complexity lay in orchestrating a major event for a high-profile couple without a single detail spilling out. "Logistics is pretty much it," she explained. The wedding shifted perspectives because it demonstrated that couples could break free from rigid, traditional formats.
"Why that wedding changed the gambit was because people realised they could do whatever they wanted at weddings," Narain asserted. This revelation sparked a significant generational shift in wedding planning. Until then, many couples felt compelled to adhere strictly to family expectations and age-old customs. Anushka and Virat's choices subtly empowered an entire generation to prioritize their own vision.
A Lasting Legacy of Personal Choice
"I think that was the biggest change because before that, people were just listening to their parents about how things happen at weddings," Devika Narain explained. The couple's example made others question and rethink: "People started thinking that they did it in their own way, can we also do whatever we want?"
Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli were married on December 11, 2017, after a four-year courtship. Their family has since grown to include daughter Vamika (born in 2021) and son Akaay (born in 2024). The family now primarily resides in London, seeking a quieter life away from the relentless public gaze to foster a normal upbringing for their children.
Eight years later, their wedding is referenced not as a symbol of lavishness but as a benchmark for restraint, clarity, and the confidence to celebrate love on one's own terms. It remains a powerful testament to how a single, carefully curated event can redefine cultural norms and inspire millions to embrace their personal narrative.
