Anshita and Gautham, Sri Lanka

After initially messaging each other on a dating app, Anshita Saxena and Gautam Girishankar paved the way for a lifetime of togetherness by tying the knot at a beautiful seaside destination in Sri Lanka. WeddingSutra Favorite – Castles & Coasters, went above and beyond to undertake and execute this jubilant celebration.

How They Met
Anshita, a financial analyst and part-time food blogger, and Gautham, a management consultant, matched on the dating app Hinge. To impress her, Gautham fibbed about where he lived – telling Anshita that he resided in Worli instead of his actual location in Matunga. The little white lie didn’t matter much, however, as he managed to win over her heart on their very first date.

The Proposal
Two years into their relationship, Gautham gave his lady love a romantic surprise by popping the big question in front of their close friends at the same place that they first met.

Wedding Venue
Anshita always dreamed of having a beach wedding. They checked Goa and Mahabalipuram but the properties there did not fit their requirements. So the couple zeroed in on Sri Lanka. After checking out four lavish properties and shortlisting two, they finally picked Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa for its seclusion and exclusivity, offering stunning beachfront access and the convenience to house over 300 guests.

Wedding Planning
The bride-to-be said, “We met multiple wedding planners before choosing Edul and Namha from Castles & Coasters to undertake our wedding preparations. Their collaborative nature helped us work together seamlessly. With their excellent eye for detail, the team assisted us in understanding the smaller factors that went into a wedding, which we otherwise would have missed. Each member was assigned a distinct role which they completed with utmost dedication.”

Wedding Functions

Mehndi
The festivities kicked off with a sundowner mehndi party at the Marriott Weligama Rooftop. It was an evening full of color and fun, with breezy costumes and a beautiful sunset. With the backdrop of the blue sea on one side and a lush green forest on the other, pink and white elements with ferns, poppy flamingos and pineapples adorned the venue. Refreshing mimosas and chilled shandy were served to guests, who relaxed in the serene surroundings. Anshita wore a red ensemble by Anamika Khanna and Gautham donned a frosted blue outfit by Govinda Mehta.

Sangeet
The sangeet was a glamorous affair with a giant LED sign bearing the couple’s wedding hashtag – #AnshiGautHim – adorning the stage. The couple enthralled their guests with scintillating performances. Black and gold with an abundance of crystals and sequins added bling to the celebration. A classic gold entrance, with twigs and candles, made a great first impression as the guests entered the ballroom. The couple’s fashion game was on point with the bride-to-be in a sage green sequinned lehenga by Payal Keyal and the to-be groom in a slate grey kurta with a bandhgala by Govinda Mehta.

Haldi And Pool Party
Their haldi ceremony was followed by a pool party. The outdoor setting was decorated with pops of traditional elements and the swimming pool had a vibrant mix of floats inviting guests to take a dip. The bar was decorated in a tropical theme, with cactus and pineapple-shaped cups adding some quirk and charm to the event.

Wedding
Gautham’s baraat entered with him sitting in a convertible car and his groomsmen in lungis (an ode to his Tamilian roots) dancing to the dhol beats. A pristine white mandap overlooked the sea, with lanterns and wooden plaques with quotes adorning either side of the entrance. The newlyweds complemented each other with the bride in a powder pink lehenga by Anushree Reddy, and the groom in a pastel blue sherwani with a pink stole and safa by Govinda Mehta. Post the pheras, the couple and their guests geared up for an after-party full of EDM, techno and Bollywood music that played until early the next morning.

Advice For Couples
Anshita says, “If you’re getting married during peak wedding season, try booking the venue at least six to nine months in advance if it is a destination wedding. Count the confirmed guests simultaneously to get an idea on the number of rooms required to book at the property. Sourcing vendors locally can drastically cut down on your costs. Remember to delegate work and keep both the families in the loop on decisions related to logistics, food and RSVPs.”

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
Wedding Planner: Castles & Coasters
Décor Design: Castles & Coasters
Décor Execution: 2nd Chance Flowers
Logistics: Esna Holidays
Groom’s Outfits: Govinda Mehta
Bride’s Outfits: Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Welcome Dinner), Anamika Khanna (Mehndi), Payal Keyal (Sangeet), SVA By Sonam & Paras Modi (Haldi), Anushree Reddy (Wedding)
Makeup: Doll You Up By S
Mehendi: Art of Mehendi by Nushrath
DJ: Ishan Mutaliph
Choreography: Riddhi Shah
Invitations: Castles & Coasters

Photography: Made in Mono

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