Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man, recently celebrated the wedding of his youngest son, Anant Ambani, to pharmaceutical heiress Radhika Merchant in a lavish three-day event at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. The high-profile wedding, which began on July 12, was marked by stringent security measures, including QR codes and color-coded wristbands for guest access to various zones within the venue.
The festivities kicked off with the wedding ceremony attended by an array of global celebrities, business tycoons, cricketers, film stars, and politicians. On July 13, a blessing ceremony called ‘Shubh Ashirwad’ was held, graced by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The celebrations concluded on July 14 with a reception, ‘Mangal Utsav,’ which welcomed a broader range of guests, including employees and business associates.
To ensure security and smooth entry, guests received QR codes on their mobile phones and color-coded wristbands indicating their access levels to different zones. The multi-layered security setup included detailed emergency plans and medical response preparedness comparable to those for heads of state.
Three types of invitations were distributed for the event, with the most exclusive featuring intricate silver chests containing mini silver temples. These invitations included various keepsakes, such as an embroidered cloth with the initials ‘AR’ for Anant and Radhika, a blue shawl, and a silver box filled with gifts. The simplest invitation came in a laptop-sized box with silver statues of three gods and invitation cards.
Guests confirmed their attendance via email or Google Form and subsequently received a message reading: “We have received your RSVP and we look forward to welcoming you… the QR codes will be shared 6 hours prior to the event.” The QR codes, sent to mobile phones and emails, were scanned upon entry, and colored paper wristbands were tied to guests’ wrists to indicate their access zones.
Notable attendees, including film stars, cricketers, and business tycoons like Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and his wife, wore pink wristbands on the wedding day and red ones on the following day. Employees, security, and service staff had distinct colored wristbands.
The sprawling venue was secured by ushers and multiple layers of security. Comprehensive fire and emergency plans were established, while medical response teams, including doctors and paramedical staff equipped with emergency gear, were on standby. Ambulances had designated routes to the nearest hospitals, which were prepped for any medical emergencies.
According to a PTI report, the time frame between the QR code issuance and the event was shortened this time to prevent the resale of access, an issue that occurred during a previous Ambani wedding.
