And it has begun! After weeks of speculation, the Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt wedding got off to a dazzling start in Bandra yesterday. As per the couple’s wishes, the pre-wedding festivity, like the nuptials that are slated for today, was an intimate affair. But the low-key ceremony was enough to bring Pali Hill to a standstill.

Paparazzi swarmed around the lane leading to Ranbir’s residence Vastu, with four of them trying to sneak in, in vain. An additional set of bouncers and a media management team were promptly deployed to man the premises along with the assigned cops.

The day began with a mehndi ceremony at Vastu. A beaming Neetu Kapoor was the first to arrive at the venue with daughter Riddhima Sahni and family, followed by the bride’s father Mahesh Bhatt and half-sister Pooja Bhatt. Soon, guests — including Karisma and Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karan Johar, Ayan Mukerji — started pouring in.

We hear the function was followed by pitr pooja, which is conducted to honour the family’s ancestors and elders who have passed away. A source reveals, “The couple had a ring exchange ceremony. Forty-two years ago, Neetu ji and Rishi ji were engaged on this day. The kids wanted to start their marriage on the special note.”

After a chooda and pagdi ceremony, the evening was reserved for the sangeet. The source adds, “The couple had little time to prepare and apparently danced to some old Rishi-Neetu hits.” Later in the evening, Neetu confirmed to the waiting lensmen that the wedding is scheduled today.

An exotic honeymoon will have to wait as Ranbir, soon after the wedding functions, will head to Himachal Pradesh to kick off Animal. The bride will resume work on Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. But, it turns out that the couple might enjoy a quick getaway to Dubai next month. Ranbir is committed to play a celebrity football match in the desert emirate on May 7. His team All Stars Football Club will play against the Emirates United at the Shabab Al-Ahli stadium.

A source reveals, “Ranbir will reach Dubai on May 6. The couple has decided to turn it into a mini-holiday. Alia will join him on May 8. The two will extend their stay, returning to the bay after May 15.”