Cape Town - The four-day Gupta “wedding of the century” extravaganza kicked off on Tuesday evening in style.
Guests were treated to a fireworks display followed by a sumptuous dinner with delicacies from across the globe.
The multimillion-rand wedding is being held at Sun City, in North West, where the family reportedly booked out the entire Palace of the Lost City for more than 400 guests. Suites here cost between R4 600 and R44 000 a night.
Vega Gupta, 23, the daughter of the only sister of the Gupta’s three affluent brothers - Atay, Atul and Rajesh - will marry her Indian-born fiancé, Aakash Jahaygarhia, between now and Saturday.
The Gupta family owns The New Age newspaper as well as Sahara Computers.
Gupta family spokesman Haranath Ghosh said that the guests, including ministers, actors and celebrities from India, were welcomed by a shower of exotic flowers and traditional South African dancers.
Vega and the female guests also had their hands and feet decorated with intricate patterns using henna.
All the guests were offered bangles, turbans and scarves in various colours.
The hosts for the evening were the popular Bollywood actors, Mona Singh and Hussain Kuwajerwala.
What South Africans were saying on Twitter:
Gareth Cliff @GarethCliff
“I’ll be flying from Gupta Airport from now on. I heard it’s much more convenient than OR Tambo, and quieter, with less red tape.”
Zwelinzima Vavi @Zwelinzima
“Have real nightmares about the Gupta story in a national key point! Depressed can’t sleep yet must drive to May Day early.”
Jo-Ann Strauss @jo_annstrauss
“So angry, my Global Express jet has just been turned away from #Waterkloof and I’m late for the #Gupta wedding :-(“
Chester Missing @chestermissing
“The Gupta wedding is so exciting. First time in history someone will give their kid a country’s president as a wedding gift.”
Khaya Dlanga @khayadlanga
“Life is too short not to be a Gupta.”
Tracey Nixon @KaeleerStud
“#GuptaWedding you don’t bring presents. You bring presidents.”
Daryl Ilbury @darylilbury
“Sorry. Story too good to leave alone. Imagine the headlines: Obama allows Kim Kardashian to land at Andrews Airforce Base. #GuptaWedding”
Cape Argus