Honestly, looking back at 2017, nothing felt as "fairytale" as the Goa weekend where Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya tied the knot. It was the wedding that launched a thousand Pinterest boards. For years, actress samantha wedding photos were the gold standard for anyone planning a cross-cultural celebration. You had the ivory "Love Story" saree, the midnight Hindu rituals, and that ethereal Christian ceremony by the beach.
But then, things got complicated.
The photos that once defined "couple goals" on Instagram started vanishing. If you go looking for them today on Samantha's official handle, you’ll find a very different digital landscape. It's kinda wild how a few clicks of a "delete" button can rewrite years of public history, but that's the celebrity cycle for you.
The 2017 Goa Archive: What the Photos Actually Showed
Let’s talk about what was actually in those original photos because they were stunning. The wedding wasn’t just one event; it was a three-day marathon at the W Goa in Vagator.
The Hindu ceremony happened on October 6, 2017. Samantha didn't just pick a random designer saree. She wore a heritage heirloom—the grandmother’s saree of Naga Chaitanya. It was a classic gold and cream weave, which she paired with a high-fashion maroon Sabyasachi blouse. It was the perfect mix of "respecting the family" and "staying iconic."
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Then came the Christian wedding on October 8. This is where those famous photos of the couple under the floral arch came from. Samantha wore a light purple gown designed by her close friend Kresha Bajaj. If you remember the shots of them laughing during the vows, those were captured by Joseph Radhik, the photographer who basically shoots every A-list wedding in India.
Key Fashion Details from the 2017 Set:
- The Engagement Saree: Kresha Bajaj famously embroidered the couple's entire love story—from their first film Ye Maaya Chesave to the proposal—into the hem of the saree.
- The Temple Jewellery: For the Hindu rites, she went heavy on traditional gold, including a vaddanam (waist belt) and armbands.
- The Tux: Chay kept it sharp in a classic black tuxedo for the Christian ceremony, a stark contrast to the simple white kurta-pyjama he wore for the South Indian rituals.
Why the Actress Samantha Wedding Photos Started Vanishing
In October 2021, just days before their fourth anniversary, the couple announced their separation. Almost immediately, the "Great Cleanup" began.
Samantha didn't just delete the wedding photos; she wiped almost every trace of Chay from her Instagram. It was a clear, public signal of a clean break. Fans noticed it in real-time. One minute you’re scrolling through shots of their Amsterdam vacation, and the next, it’s just solo gym selfies and work promos.
Interestingly, as of early 2026, she still hasn't deleted every single thing. There’s one lone photo that often resurfaces in fan discussions—a birthday wish from 2017 where she called him her "everything." Why keep that one? Some say it's an oversight, others think it’s a nod to a version of herself she still respects. Basically, the internet is still obsessed with overanalyzing her "Archive" folder.
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The New Chapter: December 2025 and the Coimbatore Photos
If you’ve been searching for actress samantha wedding photos lately, you might have stumbled upon something entirely different. In a move that caught everyone off guard, Samantha reportedly had a very private, spiritual ceremony on December 1, 2025.
This wasn't a Goa blowout. It was held at the Linga Bhairavi Temple at the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore. The groom? Filmmaker Raj Nidimoru (one half of the famous Raj & DK duo).
The photos from this event are the polar opposite of her 2017 gallery. Instead of gold-drenched opulence, we saw a deep red Banarasi saree. It felt grounded. It felt... peaceful? She looked radiant, but in a way that suggested she’d done a lot of healing. The jewelry was still temple-style, but the vibe was intimate, with only a handful of people present.
Comparing the "Then" and "Now"
It is fascinating to see the evolution of a star through her bridal lens. In 2017, the photos were about a legacy—merging two of the biggest film families in the South (the Akkinenis and the Daggubatis). In 2025, the photos felt like they were just for her.
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| Feature | 2017 (Goa) | 2025 (Coimbatore) |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | High-glam, Destination, 150+ Guests | Spiritual, Intimate, Minimalist |
| Main Saree | Heirloom Gold (Akkineni family) | Deep Red Banarasi (Arpita Mehta) |
| Photographer | Joseph Radhik (Large Crew) | Minimal, mostly shared via social |
| Atmosphere | Celebration of a "Fairytale" | A "Gentle Alignment" (as friends called it) |
What You Should Know Before Searching
If you are looking for these photos for outfit inspiration, here is the expert takeaway. Samantha has always used her clothes to tell a story. In 2017, it was about tradition and "becoming" a part of a dynasty. In 2025, it was about her own identity and a second chance at love.
Most of the 2017 photos you see now are on "fan-pages" or news archives because the actress herself has moved on. If you want to recreate the 2025 look, you’re looking for Katan silk and antique gold-finish temple jewellery. It’s a much more accessible look for a modern bride who wants to feel rooted rather than just "fancy."
The biggest lesson here? Celebrity wedding photos are permanent for us, but for them, they're just a season. Samantha's digital footprint shows a woman who isn't afraid to hit delete and start a new gallery.
Next Steps for Your Search:
If you're hunting for specific high-resolution references for a tailor or stylist:
- Search for "Samantha Coimbatore wedding Arpita Mehta" to see the latest 2025 red saree details.
- Check the "Stories by Joseph Radhik" official website archives for the 2017 lighting and candid techniques.
- Look up "Kresha Bajaj Lovestory Saree" for a deep dive into how she customized the 2017 engagement outfit.