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

#PapaRazzi
4-6 May 2023
The Palayana Hua Hin and Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

Radhika Hora and Rohan Parecha started their ‘forever’ with their travel-themed wedding, which was held in eminently popular beachside destination Hua Hin, the ‘Hamptons of Bangkok.’ A dream wedding, from the outfits, location, and events, every vision of theirs was brought to life by the invaluable assistance of their wedding planners, with a unique destination theme for each event, and Thai food and desserts as an homage to their host country. They reveal a little more about this magical event.

What makes Thailand so special that you chose it for your wedding, and why did you pick these properties for your events?
We always knew that we wanted to get married in Thailand, and we selected Hua Hin because it was the most convenient option for our family and friends. We chose these hotels because of our personal familiarity with them. Having attended numerous weddings there, we felt confident in their ability to accommodate our guests, and they both have a reputation for their exceptional hospitality and are well-known for their expertise in hosting Indian weddings.

Which bridal designers did you pick, and why?
Selecting my outfits was one of the easiest aspects of wedding planning. I had a clear vision of the two designers I wanted to wear for my wedding functions, Sabyasachi and Abhinav Mishra. The moment I laid my eyes on the outfit at Sabyasachi, it affirmed my decision. It was exactly what I imagined. At Abhinav Mishra, the outfit I picked complemented the ambience of my reception. For my mehendi ceremony, I opted for an outfit by Liz Paul. Trying it on, I was confident that it resonated with my vibe and personality, making it an ideal choice.

Can you expand on the travel theme of your wedding?
Each event was a different destination that held special meaning to either of us. To align with the travel theme, we provided passport key card holders that not only held the itinerary for the functions, but also had a convenient pocket for the room keys. We kicked off with a mehendi and ring ceremony with the charm of Turkey. The haldi ceremony was a beautiful homage to our Indian roots.

For our wedding, we chose a Singapore theme, as it was the place where we first met and spent our university years together, representing a significant chapter in our journey. We even served Merlion popsicles! After the wedding ceremony, we transformed the venue into an airport-themed after-party, symbolising the start of our new adventure as a married couple, with departure and arrival-inspired decorations for the bar. The following day, our pool party exuded the vibrant spirit of Spain, with a thrilling bull-ride activity; while the grand finale was a Lake Como-themed reception cocktail, evoking the elegance and romance of that picturesque destination.

Additionally, we made sure to incorporate dishes from the respective countries, allowing our guests to indulge in the culinary delights that accompanied our travel-themed celebration. We aimed to take our guests on an enchanting journey, with each event reflecting a unique destination that held deep significance in our love story.

Thailand is a one-of-a-kind wedding destination. Having experienced it for yourself, what are its best offerings?
The hospitality in Thailand is exceptional. There are numerous hotels specialising in hosting Indian weddings, offering a wide range of locations including stunning beaches, scenic mountains, and vibrant cities. The vendors in Thailand are incredibly talented and efficient, ensuring that every aspect of the wedding is well taken care of. Thailand has evolved into a well-equipped wedding destination, attracting couples from around the world. Its popularity has led to the development of excellent wedding infrastructure, providing a seamless and memorable experience for couples and their guests.

What were your most memorable wedding moments?
There were numerous unforgettable moments that will forever remain etched in my memory. One of them was the series of surprise dances performed by my family, friends, and, of course, my husband. The moment when my dad walked me down the aisle holds a special place in my heart, but the most significant moment was a surprise my dad orchestrated. He revealed a collage of photos featuring our entire family from inside his coat. This heartfelt gesture really touched me and everyone else.

Any tips for other couples looking to tie the knot?
One valuable tip is to get a wedding planner. With their ideas, hard work and dedication, I was able to transform my dream wedding into a beautiful reality. Another tip is to complete all your planning before the function, and then let go of the stress and be in the moment.

Wedding Makers
Wedding Planner: House of Shehnai
Venue: Sheraton Hua Hin & Spa 

3 days of festivities – 6 events – 500 guests