Bhavna and Amar, Thailand

Bhavna, a research consultant based in Jakarta, and Amar, a bespoke tailor in Hong Kong, were set up by a mutual family friend who played Cupid. They wed in a serene ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, where all the festivities were orchestrated by WeddingSutra Favorite – Keeran the Wedding Planner.

How They Met
Introduced by a mutual family friend who thought they would be perfect for each other, Bhavna and Amar started their journey of love over a cup of coffee. However, as days flew by, both realized the potential their relationship had and decided to plunge headlong into marital bliss.

Wedding Venues
Bhavna shares, “We wanted a mid-way destination in between our home bases which also had a good healthcare system in place since we’d be hosting a lot of elders in our family. But at the same time, we wanted to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We fixed Thailand where we stumbled upon Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort which fit all our needs perfectly. Even though the property is located in Bangkok, it exuded resort-like vibes that put all of us at instant ease. Furthermore, Amar, and I love hotels that are rich in culture and tradition. Hence, choosing this venue was an obvious choice for us. For our ‘Sky Brunch’ and reception, we chose the Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel which offered us magnificent views of the city and the blue river.”

Wedding Planning
With Keeran the Wedding Planner at the helm, the couple’s nuptials were a flawless affair. Gushing about her experience with them, Bhavna recalls, “Their professionalism was off the charts and the team understood our vision from the start. Every detail was executed to perfection. Combining modern flair with tradition is not an easy feat but Keeran the Wedding Planner team made it look effortless.”

Adding to the stellar team were photographers Blacktieproject who with dedication and skill captured each special moment for lasting memories, and makeup artist Susy Kleo gave Bhavna one stunning look after the other for the different functions. Invitation designers The Distellery also created charming designs that impressed guests.

Weddings Functions
Guest’s Welcome
Bhavna shares, “Amar and I are avid readers and we wanted the decor to reflect our personalities. Keeping that in mind, we chose rustic decor that included wooden bookshelves to welcome the guests at the hotel lobby. Accompanying the rustic shelves were vibrant blooms and a unique caricature-like placard that contained a welcome message from us.”

Janya
For Amar’s traditional ‘janya’ (holy thread) ceremony, the decor followed a pastel rose pink color palette with floral vases in the same hue peppered around the venue. However, the highlight of the decor was the auspicious ‘Om’ sign that hung behind the groom as he went ahead with his thread ceremony. Once the solemn rituals were done, Amar was joined by his family who danced and celebrated with him.

Staying true to tradition, the groom sported a blue and gold bandhgala ensemble, while his bride opted for a mustard yellow salwar kameez.

Mehndi
A fun-filled ceremony that fused Indian and Thai traditions, the mehndi was a cheery affair as the bride made a smashing entrance flanked by nimble Thai dancers. Bhavna looked radiant in her floral red lehenga as she posed beside Amar who sat beside her on a magnificent bench created out of delicate blooms.

After Party
Being an ardent Harry Potter fan, the bride’s after-party post the cheery mehndi celebrations followed a ‘Harry Potter’ theme where the guests embarked on the ‘AB Express’ which was full of dance, games, and delicious treats. As the guests showed off their best moves under the dazzling disco balls, they also entertained themselves by playing a game of giant Jenga.

Anand Karaj
“I have always loved the simplicity and elegance that pastel hues lend to a wedding ceremony. Hence, I made the decision of going with pastel pink decor that looked dreamy against the backdrop of the river,” shares Bhavna. The duo tied the knot under a stunning floral mandap swathed with sheer white drapes and surrounded by tall palm trees. Keeping the decor in mind, Bhavna chose a rose pink floral lehenga that complimented her complexion. Amar also wasn’t far behind in his pristine white sherwani that made him look regal and refined.

Sky Brunch
With magnificent views of the sunlit Bangkok skyline, Bhavna and Amar’s brunch decor included yellow and white lanterns that were accentuated with similar hued blooms. Celebrating the newlyweds’ first day as a married couple, their family members showered them with joy and blessings while enjoying fresh coconut water and delicious delicacies. Dressed in an off-shoulder beige gown, Bhavna chose comfort over glamor as she walked in with Amar who chose to relax in a blue printed shirt for the occasion.

Reception
A dazzling yet elegant affair, the reception was a grand celebration of the new journey that the couple had embarked on. With an LED stage, tropical flowers, and a magnificent multi-tier cake, this occasion witnessed everyone taking a break from traditional outfits and turning up in their best Western attire. However, keeping the Punjabi tradition alive were the dholwalas who spurred a bhangra frenzy amongst the guests. Dressed in a silver off-shoulder gown with sequins, Bhavna was a picture of elegance as she walked in holding hands with Aman who looked dapper in a silver grey tuxedo.

Advice For Couples
Bhavna advises, “Wedding planning is solving a 5000 piece jigsaw puzzle which requires lots of hard work. In the end, it’s all about teamwork, and with everyone’s effort it does work out quite beautifully in the end. So don’t fret too much about the small details. Instead, relax and enjoy the process!”

The Wedding Makers
Venues: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, Thailand (Janya, Mehndi, Wedding); Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel, Thailand (Sky Brunch, Reception)
Wedding Planner: Keeran the Wedding Planner
Decor Conceptualized & Designed by : Meghna Mirpuri for Keeran the Wedding Planner
Groom’s Outfits: Manyavar (Janya), Rohit Bal (Mehndi, Anand Karaj), Ash Samtani Clothing Limited (Pool Party, Reception)
Bride’s Outfits: Rohit Bal (Janya), Anamika Khanna (Mehndi, Anand Karaj), Cherie D (Sky Brunch), Gaurav Gupta (Reception)
Makeup and Hairstyling: Susy Kleo
Mehndi: Henna by Ima Habsyi
Entertainment: Kilogram and Team
DJ : DJ Kilogram, DJ Dash
Wedding Invitations: The Distillery
Bartenders: Flairmix

Photography: Blacktieproject

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