Security has been beefed up at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur for Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ wedding. As the pre-nuptial ceremonies start from today, most of the hotel staff members have been sent on leave, and their place has been taken up by employees of the event management and security firms hired by the hosts.
Only the key management — including the general manager — will continue to work over the next five days, but won’t be allowed to use their smart phones. The staff will be handed over basic phones, while even the guests cannot carry their mobiles for any of the ceremonies.
Stringent measures are being taken in order to prevent any leakage of photographs or videos, since the couple has already struck a $2.5-million deal with an international magazine for the pictures’ rights.
Furthermore, the hotel’s security staff will be replaced by personnel of the two American companies and one Indian firm, which have been roped in to manage the security of Umaid Bhawan Palace. Even the security guards deployed with the royal family will be removed from the hotel, while the palace’s catering staff will remain.
In addition to these measures, jammers will be installed at the venues to block signals at the time of the ceremonies, sources said.
SILVERWARE FOR GUESTS, REGAL CARRIAGE FOR NICK
Meanwhile, guests are in for a regal treatment with the best of cuisines, silverware and royal Rajasthani accessories. In addition to Punjabi, Rajasthani and Hyderabadi cuisines, they will also enjoy Italian, Mexican, Continental and Chinese food, which will be served in silver-plated dinnerware and cutlery, sourced from Jodhpur. There will be a special baraat procession with a regal horse-drawn carriage for Nick’s desi dulha avatar.
Apart from this, the henna that will be applied during Priyanka’s mehendi has been procured from Sojat, which is India’s main henna producing area. Guests will also get a taste of the state’s culture, thanks to the stalls that will have Rajasthani dresses, saafa, jewellery, handicrafts, bandhej, dupattas, jootis and jewellery on sale.
