Niharika and Abhimanyu, Avani+ Khao Lak Resort, Thailand

A heady mix of grandeur, tropical beauty and unbridled fun, Niharika and Abhimanyu’s four-day destination wedding checked all the boxes! Backed by the scenic beauty of Thailand, each vent looked picturesque. WeddingSutra Favorite- Shreem Events was at the helm of it all as they seamlessly planned a wedding where guests indulged themselves thoroughly while the couple savored every moment of their big day.

Wedding Venue
Devanshi Patel from Shreem Events shares, “As the couple started the planning process, the couple were quite confused when it came to choosing the venues. Since they have a family business in Dubai, they explored a few options but none worked out.
After much deliberation, they set their sights on Thailand. The country’s warm hospitality and lushness bowled them over. After numerous scouting sessions, the family chose Avani+ Khao Lak Resort. It was a March wedding and the couple also took this opportunity to host a pre-wedding photoshoot at the same location. Additionally, JW Marriott Khao Lak was also booked for extended guests and family.”

Wedding Planning
“Destination weddings are all about foresight and ensuring the smallest details are carefully looked into. On the very first day, the guests were received by our team at the airport. They were greeted at the venue with fresh coconut water and a traditional Thai welcome with dancers. Once in their rooms, the guests could relish a carefully curated basket filled with local savory snacks and hydration IVs for post-party recovery. Shuttles were also arranged between both the hotels for the guests’ ease. Customized luggage tags and hangover kits were provided to each guest.
Overall, it was a fun Punjabi wedding with everyone highly-enthusiastic about celebrating the couple’s love. The bride was crystal-clear with her wedding vision. Consequently, we got an accurate brief for the wedding. The weather did pose a few challenges but the team’s eye for detail smoothened all the wrinkles away”, says Devanshi.

Wedding Functions
Welcome Dinner
Kicking off the festivities was a warm welcome dinner where everyone rejuvenated after their long flight. The bride and her squad also took this opportunity to get their hands patterned with henna. A live singer kept everyone entertained as they mingled freely and geared up for the upcoming celebrations.

Mehndi
Devanshi shares, “On the second day, the guests enjoyed a scrumptious lunch after check-in. The meal was accentuated by live classical Indian instrumental music. This was followed by an evening sundowner boho mehndi event by the beach. It was a very aesthetic event adorned with punchy hues where the giveaways consisted of colorful bracelets. Unfortunately, we experienced a bit of a drizzle at the event. We did have a backup plan on hand for these circumstances and swiftly covered up the seating areas. However, the bride was determined to enjoy her moment. And, as fate would have it, the rain stopped after a few minutes! The bride’s cousins danced alongside her as she made her entry, fire dancers mesmerised the guests and aqua percussionists ensured the guests were in awe. The after-party was just as groovy with the DJ and percussionist playing tunes that had everyone on the dancefloor.”

Haldi
Inspired by the popular Netflix series ‘Bridgerton’ the haldi followed an ‘English High Tea’ theme. The decor consisted of pastel blooms, pampas grass and breezy canopies. Coconut ice cream stalls, ice golas, live floral jewellery-making stands and a saxophonist kept the guests entertained. Post the haldi rituals, a decadent spread of experimental cuisine and classic Indian dishes was served.

Cocktail
The cocktail party also doubled up as a sangeet with smashing performances by the couple and their families. Devanshi shares, “Some of the events in the lineup were named after songs to set the theme. And for this particular one, the bride chose ‘Fly Me to The Moon’. The venue was a banquet hall with a live projection and an eye-catching central bar adorned with blooms. The dance performances featured a groovy retro playlist which transcended age. Post the family performances, a percussionist kept the guests entertained.
We also took this opportunity to bestow the guests with wedding favors. Wallets and pocket squares designed by ace designer Payal Singhal along with local artisanal candles delighted everyone.”

Chooda
With rains looming on the horizon, the schedule of the wedding day was expedited. The chooda ceremony was hosted in the early hours of the morning as the wedding was shifted from the following to the afternoon.

Wedding
Named ‘Take My Breath Away’ the wedding stayed true to its name with its stunning venue and decor. Devnshi gives us an overview of how the big day unfolded, “The festivities began with a baraat on the golf cart accompanied by mini shooters to keep the energy levels soaring. Even though the schedule had been changed abruptly, the guests were incredibly enthusiastic about the union as they danced throughout the baraat. Since the tropical sun was at its peak, we ensured that there were plenty of umbrellas handy to shelter the baraatis. The varmala ceremony took place by the beach and was punctuated by a song chosen by the bride. After the wedding rituals and the couple portraits, everyone was treated to a spectacular fireworks show against the evening sky.”

Pyjama Party
After back-to-back days of hectic celebrations, bride Niharika was keen on a Pyjama Party named ‘Stole the Show’. Guests turned up in comfy silk PJ sets and kicked back to a night of relaxation as they swayed to their favorite tunes while sharing banter.

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Avani+ Khao Lak Resort, Thailand
Wedding Planner: Shreem Events
Décor: The Wedding Square
Florist: I Am Flower
Caterers: PurpleBerry Catering
Makeup: Simran Takkar (Welcome Dinner, Welcome Lunch), Surya Singh (Mehndi, Haldi, Wedding)
Hairstyling: Sunil Kumar (Mehndi, Haldi, Wedding)
Mehndi: NS Mehendi Artist, Mehndi Henna Phuket Saae
Sound & Lighting: Ekachai Lighting & Sound
Entertainment: Atul Gautam (Welcome Dinner), Walter Scalzone (Mehndi, Pyjama Party), Madhur Dhir (Cocktail)
DJ: DJ Lemon
Bartenders: Flairmix
Photography: PK Suri Worldwide Studio

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