•  30-31 January 2023

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, Avani+ Riverside Hotel Bangkok and Montien Riverside Hotel

Bangkok

Sunakshi Mahendru and Shreyans Bamb said ‘I do’ by the tranquil waters of the Chao Phraya River at the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort and the Avani+ Riverside Hotel Bangkok, their third family wedding at the iconic properties. Having both grown up in Bangkok, the wedding was the perfect way for them to show love to the city while surrounded by loved ones, and they made sure to include Thai elements to ensconce guests in the Kingdom’s culture, from local Thai food and khanoms, to Thai-infused drinks and even Thai dancers to welcome guests, while keeping the entire wedding simple and elegant. They both tell us more about these magical few days.

It seems like a family tradition to get married in these properties – what makes them so special?

While Bangkok is home to both of us, these properties are also home to us now. For our guests coming from abroad, they are a great mix of a hotel and resort, and they have multiple venue options, allowing us to cater perfectly for each of our occasions.

Out of all the days of festivities, which one did you enjoy the most?

Our reception night was probably the most enjoyable. It was truly a night of celebration and our family and friends made sure to live up to it. The night started with beautiful performances from our loved ones, and continued the afterparty of our dreams. It was nothing short of a night of love, laughter and celebrations!

You said you wouldn’t get married anywhere but Thailand – why would you recommend it?

Everything you need is right here, from hotels to wedding planners, to a variety of delicious food. With numerous wedding planners easing the process of planning your wedding, everything is easily available and can be sorted.

What were the most memorable moments of your wedding?

Our entire wedding was memorable; it’s difficult to choose one specific moment as both of us made sure to just enjoy each moment throughout. Those few days of the wedding festivities will be a cherished memory for the rest of our lives. Our advice to couples? Enjoy this time, it won’t come back! From the planning stage to the actual wedding festivities, make sure to be 100 percent present, and cherish each moment.

Wedding Makers

Venue: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort 
Venue: Avani+ Riverside Hotel Bangkok 
Venue: Montien Riverside Hotel Bangkok

2 days of festivities – 4 events – 500 Guests

•  17-19 January 2023
  Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

Under the blue skies, amidst palm trees on the pristine beach in Hua Hin, Anisha Chandak and Divye Chandak celebrated their union with their friends and family present. They always dreamed of a beach wedding, making Thailand an indubitable option, where everyone could gather and create a wedding worth remembering for everyone involved. The couple went out of their way to make each event special by adding an element of surprise, all while they dressed in breathtaking outfits to match the aesthetics of their dream wedding.

Aside from its proximity to the beach, why did you choose this property?

We chose Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, as it has a grand ballroom area, a huge swimming pool, and it has beach access too – Thailand’s beaches are its beauty! We held all our wedding events at these locations.

As a couple from abroad, what Thai elements did you incorporate into your wedding?

We hired our wedding planner, Krish Events, from Thailand, who worked wonderfully with local vendors. We welcomed our guests with a Thai dance, performed by Thai dancers dressed in traditional outfits. They looked so graceful, and the guests got involved and learned a few steps as well!

What were your favourite memories from your wedding?

The slight breeze in the air, the clear sky, and the beach while we took our vows. As ours was a love marriage, the moment was so magical, with positivity all around and the panditji singing and explaining everything; it was the best moment of our lives.

The most enjoyable event was the pool party. We had arranged multiple games, like a tug-of-war between both our families, and then most of us jumped into the pool, and we even had a beer-water gun fight!

Now that you’ve held your wedding in Thailand, would you recommend it to others?

Yes, it ticks all the boxes. Great food, great hotels, very courteous staff, and professional vendors. If someone doesn’t want to have palatial weddings (like in Rajasthan, etc.) then Thailand is a great option.

Weddings are a time to flex your creativity and surprise people. What were the most surprising elements of yours?

The drinks names such as Vitamin A and Vitamin D, were related to our names. Divye also planned a grand proposal during the welcome dinner, with fireworks that read ‘Will you marry me’, and he appeared with a ring to propose. Moreover, during the sangeet, Divye performed a solo performance where there was an easel placed behind him. While performing, he sprinkled glitter on it, and a sketch of my face appeared.

Additionally, all our entries were special. I rode into the welcome dinner on an RTV, with Divye behind me. For the pool party, we entered on a boat, and for the sangeet, silver boys glided beside us on Segway hoverboards, with balloons and sparkle poppers. On the wedding day, I chose something more traditional and walked in under a chaddar of flowers, and surprised Divye with a performance of “Makhna.” Lastly, for our reception, we arrived in a gorgeous white carriage, covered in pastel flowers, just like a fairytale.

If you had to re-do your wedding, what would you do differently?

We would have called more people to show them how to do it! It was a perfect wedding. Everyone who attended fondly remembers it, and we are still the talk of the town!

Wedding Makers
Wedding Planner: Krish Events
Venue: Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

3 days of festivities – 7 events – 350 guests

25-27 February 2023
The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa

Gaurav and Komal had a clear objective in mind: to hold their wedding festivities in the most intimate of settings, in a hidden paradise escape. Off the beaten path of the usual banquet halls and lawns, the couple was fortuitous to find that The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Phuket, met all their wedding desires, gathering their close ones in a truly unique experience. They had found immaculate vibes in a serene venue, creating one of the most beautiful beginnings to a married life worthy of their love story.

Why did you choose Thailand instead of going abroad, and why did you pick this specific hotel?

We were looking for venues in India and came across really good properties there, but didn’t get the feeling that, ‘this was it.’ Our families had attended weddings in Thailand so we started exploring options there and we came across this venue, which never had an Indian wedding or a buyout ever, so it was a risky call but our hearts knew this was the place.

The Naka Island is unlike any other resort. It has a very cosy architecture and design, and the vibe is very chill and natural, which aligned with our tastes. Also, the entire team was very keen to have us on board as this would be a first-of-its-kind wedding.

Having flown in in from abroad, did you include any Thai cultural elements in your wedding?

Yes, we welcomed our guests with Thai music and Thai drinks. We had Thai live counters with appetisers and desserts at our functions too.

What was your favourite memory of your wedding?

Too hard to name one. The Anand Karaj was definitely jaw-dropping; to get married on the panoramic backdrop of the vast ocean was enchanting. Having sundowners on the yacht was also spellbinding. The varamala ceremony against the vast ocean landscape was probably the most memorably moment.

Now that you’ve held your wedding in Thailand, would you recommend it to others?

Yes, it ticks all the boxes. Great food, great hotels, very courteous staff, and professional vendors. If someone doesn’t want to have palatial weddings (like in Rajasthan, etc.) then Thailand is a great option.

What was a surprising element of your wedding?

We did not disclose the venue to any of our guests and all of them were amazed when they had to take a speedboat to reach the venue!

Any tips for other couples looking to tie the knot?

– Do what makes you happy
– Design the wedding yourself (with the help of a professional of course) because it is about you and no one else
– Families do have their ideas, which should be respected, but make sure your soul resonates with your festivities
– Make sure the choices you make lead to what makes you smile every time you think about your wedding celebrations

Give us a fun anecdote from your wedding!

Our bartenders from Flair Mix Co. would go to heaven and earth to make sure we were having the time of our lives. The bartender even jumped in the pool to make sure everyone had drinks even inside the pool!

Wedding Makers
Wedding Planner: The Wedding Galore
Venue: The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa

3 days of festivities – 7 events – 180 guests

15-17 January 2023
Pullman Pattaya Hotel G

On the golden sands of Pattaya, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, Rakesh Chavda and Geetu Jethwani tied the knot in a series of intimate and heartfelt events, surrounded by their nearest and dearest. With the help of Niramti Creations, the ceremonies brought together elements from both couples’ dream weddings: from Rakesh’s ideal of a sunny, beach wedding, great company, and a horse to ride in on; to Geetu’s walk down the aisle with “Din Shagna Da” playing in the background, and her entrance on a boat. Geetu shares more about the vibrant celebrations.

You both hail from different continents – Rakesh from the UK and Geetu from Singapore and India. Why did you both choose Thailand as your dream wedding destination?

We searched the entire globe for destinations which are easy for our families to get to, like Sri Lanka, Italy, Greece, and even Oman! We did our civil wedding in the UK, so we thought Asia would be a good option for the wedding, and after some Google-mapping, we found Thailand and fell in love! To other couples looking for a venue – dream big and do your wedding in Thailand! They have so much to offer and the sky is the limit, or the sea! In honour of our host country, we included Thai dancers to welcome our guests, and Geetu entered in a beautiful Thai longboat.

Which bridal designers did you pick and why?

I sourced most of my outfits from bridal exhibitions in Mumbai, but I must mention that my outfits stood out because of the amazing makeup by the best makeup artist, Kanchan! I was a very picky bride to deal with, but she dealt with me admirably.

What were your wedding event themes, and which ones did you enjoy the most?

We wanted flexibility. Our themes were generic: ‘beach vibes’ for the welcome dinner; ‘summer delight’ for the mehendi, ‘grand elegance’ for the sangeet, ‘royal traditional’ for the wedding, and ‘black tie’ for the reception. The latter was the best and most fun party, as our emcee really kicked it off well, but we had favourite moments from all the functions, such as when Rakesh surprised me by jumping in and dancing with all my friends from Singapore! We also had a surprise dance off competition at the reception, and the crowd loved it! 

Weddings are a great font of creativity – what was the most creative element in yours?

We served personalised drinks named after us: the Chavda libre and the Geets and tonic; that was a favourite element! And my boat entrance was a surprise to everyone else except Raks!

If you had to re-do your wedding, what would you do differently?

We loved it so much that Raks told me he wanted to do it again year after year! So I don’t think we’d want to change anything, especially our amazing planning team, Niramit Creations!

Wedding Makers
Wedding Planner: Niramit Creations
Venue: Pullman Pattaya Hotel G

3 days of festivities – 5 events – 150 guests

16-18 June 2022
InterContinental Pattaya Resort

Sajan Sachdev and Thanisa Sachdev started their ‘happily ever after’ by the beach, at the InterContinental Pattaya Resort, a property that Thanisa had fallen in love with since she saw their two-bedroom villa, perfect for a mehendi and doli ceremony. They exchanged their laavans on the pristine sands overlooking the glittering sea, surrounded by their families and close friends, the pillars of their support system. They reveal more about their beautiful ceremonies.

Since you’re both from Thailand, did you incorporate any aspect of your Thai heritage into your wedding?

One of the ways we celebrated our cultural roots was through the inclusion of traditional Thai sweets and desserts. They hold a special place in our hearts, and we wanted to share the delightful flavours and textures with our loved ones. We carefully selected popular local favourites such as mango sticky rice, khanom khrok (coconut pancakes), and babin (pandan-flavoured jelly).

What was your favourite memory of your wedding?

It is nearly impossible to choose just one, because every aspect was a symphony of love, joy, and unforgettable moments. From the intimate mehendi ceremony with family, the energetic sangeet dances, the magical rain shower experience, and the serene laavans with the sounds of waves as a backdrop, to the fun Sajan ji ghar aaya dance during the doli. Each of these moments contributed to the richness and beauty of our wedding day, creating a tapestry of memories that will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

What’s a fun element that you included in your wedding?

Given our shared passion for beer and my husband’s ownership of a beer-importing company, we decided to personalise beer cans, with ‘his’ and ‘her’ versions featuring our names, with our respective favourite beers.

Now that you’ve done it all, any tips for other couples?

1. Plan and book vendors in advance: This will help you secure your preferred choices and minimise last-minute stress.

2. Communicate and collaborate: wedding planning should be a joint effort between you and your partner. Discuss and make decisions together, and share responsibilities and tasks.

3. Take breaks and enjoy quality time together.

4. Involve and cherish your families: Your wedding day is a celebration of not just your love, but also the union of families. Seek their advice, and let them feel included.

5. Prioritise self-care: Wedding planning can be demanding, both physically and emotionally. Take care of your well-being by staying active, getting enough sleep, and eating well.

6. Embrace flexibility: Despite careful planning, some things may not go as expected on the wedding day. Focus on the joyous moments and the love you share with your partner, knowing that it is the essence of the day.

7. Remember, your wedding day is a celebration of your love story!

Wedding Makers
Wedding Planner: Monique Events & House of Shehnai
Venue: InterContinental Pattaya Resort

3 days of festivities – 4 events – 120 guests

13-16 February 2023
Avani+ Riverside Resort

In a luxe property nestled by the magnificent River of Kings, Ashwin Suniil Wadwani and Maya Kaur Batra tied the knot with several vibrant days of celebration, choosing to start their married journey in Thailand because of their love for Thai culture and mutual desire to have a destination wedding where their loved ones could fly in from all over the world, bond, and celebrate their love together. Maya, who had always dreamt of marrying her best friend, looked radiant as she tied the knot in yellow, another wish of hers from years past, with a special Valentine’s Day sangeet held in a dreamy, rose-coloured ballroom. They both give us a peek into the most important days of their lives.

Ashwin and Maya, you’re Australian and American, respectively, and you both flew in from abroad for this wedding. What made Thailand such an attractive wedding destination?

Thailand is known to be an Indian wedding-friendly country, the hotel was super accommodating, the food is incredible, and the hospitality is unmatched. Our wedding planners, Niramit Creations, went above and beyond for us. Honestly, any vision can become a reality in Thailand. The food and catering opportunities are extremely unique, and will have your guests dreaming of coming back. To celebrate Thai culture, which we both love, and to start the festivies strong, we incorporated Thai food stations and Thai dancers at our welcome dinner. We also had Thai massage stations in our hospitality suite available for our guests to use throughout the four days.

In all four days of festivities, what memory stands out to you the most?

Ashwin: Maya walking down the aisle for the Anand Karaj (Sikh ceremony) to a special version of the Mool Mantar that she sang and produced was a huge highlight. Every single person in the room was silent, and everyone had goosebumps. That feeling carried forward into the rest of the ceremonies and was so special. 

Maya: It’s so hard to choose, but for me it would have to be the actual wedding ceremonies. Walking down the aisle for the Hindu ceremony to Goldie Sohel singing “Aaj Sajeya” live, and Ashwin crying when he saw me, is something I will cherish forever. Even though the song is a viral hit, it was Goldie’s first time performing the song live. No one saw that coming and it was so special.

Which bridal designers did you pick, and why?

I grew up in my family’s beauty salon, Ziba Beauty in Artesia, which is the ‘little India’ of Southern California. The boutique owners have seen me grow up, so it was important for me to represent them when choosing my wedding looks. I wore Manshaa The Designer Studio for the janya, Frontier Heritage for my sangeet, Hindu ceremony and reception, and Varun Nidhika for my Sikh ceremony. I always dreamt of getting married in yellow, and almost didn’t find anything, but big thanks to Yasmin Boutique for styling me and making that happen only 10 days before the wedding!

On a trip to India, I came across a gem of a store called Delhi Vintage and there I bought my mehendi outfit. The work in every panel was hand done, the fabric of the top had been custom dyed, and the skirt was just above my ankles so you could see my mehendi. It was so unique, and I knew it had to be one of my wedding looks. My welcome dinner/couple’s photoshoot was also a copper and beige lehenga from Delhi Vintage. It was so comfortable and light, and it had pockets which is a huge win. 

Now that you’ve been through the whole big, fat, wedding, what are your tips for other couples?

– Don’t sweat the small stuff 
– Write your speech before all the occasions start 
– Make sure you eat at every event, or assign someone you trust to put a plate of food together for you
– Ask your bridal party for help or support when you need it. They can’t read your mind, and it’s okay to ask for support!

What was a surprising element or what was the most creative thing that you did at your wedding (e.g. a personalised drink, unusual dish, etc.)

Maya is a singer-songwriter and producer, so she and her company, The Love Note Studio, wrote us a personalised first dance song, “Saawariya”, which means ‘soulmate’ or ‘beloved.’ The song told our story with such a unique blend of Hindi and English, and created a once-in-a-lifetime moment for us. After the intimate slow dance, we switched up into a Bhangra routine choreographed by Sapnay Entertainment, that had our guests going wild. 

Wedding Makers
Wedding Planner: Niramit Creations
Venue: Avani+ Riverside Resort

4 days of festivities – 6 events – 400 guests