Aakanksha and Mikhail, Kerala
This couple moved their wedding from Phuket to Kerala due to the Covid19 pandemic and hosted a fun affair despite the last-minute preparations.
From colleagues to life-partners, Aakanksha Patel and Mikhail Verma’s journey of love was celebrated with a memorable beachfront wedding at Taj Bekal Resort & Spa, planned by WeddingSutra Favorite – Castles & Coasters. Here are a few glimpses of the festivities.
How they met
Aakanksha Patel and Mikhail J Verma crossed paths nine years ago at work. together, they developed an enduring friendship that overtime grew into love and they eventually began dating.
The Proposal
After dating for five years, Mikhail planned to propose during a family trip to Mangalore for his cousin’s birthday. Aakanksha shares, “Both of us love beaches, and I was thrilled beyond measure when he popped the question on the beach. I was completely thrown off guard, and couldn’t have hoped for a better proposal.”
Wedding Venue
Originally set to tie the knot at a seaside destination wedding in Phuket, the couple’s plan got derailed by the coronavirus pandemic which restricted international travelling. However, undeterred, they set to work rerouting all of the functions and plans to a domestic location. They chose the Taj Bekal Resort & Spa in Kerala for its serene oceanfront location. The team at the hotel did a fabulous job of hosting the wedding despite the last minute preparations and gave the couple their dream wedding.
Wedding Planning
The planning of the wedding was entrusted to the team of Castles & Coasters. Aakanksha shares, “Edul & Namha were very accommodating from the beginning and planned out every aspect to perfection.” The joyous moments of the celebrations were captured by Memoirs Photography who zoomed in on all the candid emotions and actions. A26 and DJ Spin Doctor of Shark & Ink Artist Management entertained the guests with their performances.
Wedding Functions
Nuptials (White Wedding)
The festivities kicked off with the nuptials (white wedding). Wearing a bespoke gown by Sharmita Nandvani for the beach wedding, the bride walked down the aisle to her groom to the tune of a song her friend wrote for the occasion, where they exchanged vows against a beautiful sunset. The ceremony was followed by a dinner and an after-party that was full of surprises. The bride danced with her father on a quirky mashup on songs instead of the traditional formal father-daughter dance.
Mehndi
The vibrant mehndi function was held as a pool party which was a splash! The bride looked like a beach goddess in an earthy floral crop top and skirt, and she topped off the look with beachy waves and a floral crown.
Sangeet
The mehndi celebrations were followed by a high-energy sangeet with spectacular performances by the couple and their friends and families. The groom looked dapper in a black sherwani, while the bride flaunted pretty paisley prints on her contemporary lehenga.
Haldi
The final day commenced with a sunny haldi celebration with cheerful decor of marigold blooms, and a whole lot of fun as everyone gathered to douse the bride and groom with turmeric paste. The rituals were followed by a Sadhya lunch.
Pheras
The pheras began with an unconventional twist when the bride crashed the baraat’s entry and left everyone surprised! She left to get ready and then re-entered, floating down in a serene raft. The groom made a dashing entry on an ATV. The couple donned coordinated peach ensembles which perfectly complemented the breezy white and peach decor of the function. The wedding was followed by an after-party and a small function back in Mumbai.
Advice for Couples
The couple share, “Always be on the same page with your partner to ensure clarity with your vendors. And more importantly, amidst the planning issues and problems that come your way, don’t lose sight of why you are getting married in the first place. Remember to have fun and enjoy each other’s company throughout the whole process.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Taj Bekal Resort & Spa, Kerala
Wedding Planner: Castles & Coasters
Groom’s Outfits: Govinda Mehta
Groom’s Shoes: Trumpet Shoes
Bride’s Outfits: Sharmita Nandvani (White Wedding), Tassel Tales (Mehndi, Sangeet), Seema Gujral (Mumbai Functions)
Makeup and Hairstyling: Shreya Shrivastava & Kinnary Vohra
Jewellery: Prerto
Entertainment: Shark and Ink
Choreographer: Imran Khan
Photography and Videography: Memoirs Photography
