Malvika Behal and Akshay Dhingra, Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Thailand

Kicking off their new life with the destination wedding of their dreams, Malvika Behal and Akshay Dhingra enjoyed the best of natural beauty, entertainment, and relaxation with their intimate wedding getaway to Hua Hin. A confluence of eclectic themes, riveting couture, and unforgettable moments, this incredible Thailand wedding is sure to leave you dreaming of your own!

How they met
Born and raised in Dubai, Brand and Graphic designer Malvika met Architect and Professional Poker Player Akshay in the summer of 2016 on his family vacation to Dubai. Introduced by a mutual friend, Malvika took on the role of his tour guide and showed him around the city, over the course of which they connected deeply and became good friends. After years of friendship, they realized their love for each other just as the world stepped into lockdown, which stayed resolute through the ups and downs of the pandemic. After 2.5 years of distance, challenges, and everything in between, they tied the knot with a beautiful destination wedding and began the next chapter of their lives together.

Wedding Planning
Since the bride had always envisioned a dreamy sunset beach wedding in Thailand, the couple chose the beautiful exotic destination of Hua Hin for the celebration. Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa offered the best of Thailand’s pristine ocean vistas and lush greenery along with luxurious and unique stay experiences for the ultimate wedding getaway for the couple and their loved ones. From the entire property being connected by a large pool to a mandap right on the beach, it ticked all the boxes of their fairytale wedding.

The intimate wedding of 200 guests coming from around the world saw a mix of Punjabi and Sindhi celebrations spanning over two and a half days. The couple let their creativity soar with the concepts and details that they wanted, all of which were planned and executed by the team of The Wedding Galore. The team of The Wedding Files captured their special moments in gorgeous shots. The bride share, “We would also like to give a lot of credit to DJ Nitesh & emcee Punit Lalwani for being a fantastic duo and making the wedding a super hit! My makeup artist Pooja Khurana, as well as other designers and vendors, also went out of their way to make the experience memorable.”

Wedding Functions
Welcome Dinner
The festivities kicked off with an all-white sundowner soiree hosted on the beachfront. From a bar made out of bamboo to teepees, tropical blooms with pampas grass and palms, and fairy lights, every corner was brimming with quirky boho aesthetics. Wearing white outfits like the rest of their party, the couple exchanged vows to a beautiful sunset and danced the night away with their loved ones.

Pool Party
Brimming with fun and games, the next day began with a poolside bash with a jungle theme. Animal prints, tropical foliage, and vibrant hues set an exuberant tone, while a stunning photo op corner with a bathtub and stuffed tiger stole the show!

Haldi
The lively revelries were followed by a quick outfit change for the sunset haldi by the pool. The golden hour made for some stunning sunkissed shots of the couple and their loved ones in all yellow. The couple sat in large brass urlis as their family milled around, showering them with haldi and flowers.

Cocktail
The glam quotient was kicked up a notch for the black-tie Sangeet. Inspired by optical illusion, the walkway, entrances, and other decor elements were all monochrome and designed to enchant the guests. Dressed in a stunning couture red gown and black tuxedo, the bride and groom had a grand entrance which was followed by dazzling performances and a night of non-stop enjoyment.

Wedding
Imagined with the whimsical decor of billowing drapes and spring blooms, the beachside wedding was as dreamy as it gets. From the bride’s showstopping blue lehenga inspired by Disney’s Jasmine to the ethereal floral aisle and pristine acrylic mandap, every detail was breathtaking to behold. As the bride walked down to the melodious tune of “Arziyaan” with her bridesmen, the groom awaited her with tears in his eyes. It was all they had dreamt of and more.

Reception
Inspired by the sun and moon, the Reception party was designed with elements of space, making for an evening of edgy, futuristic glamor. Fun games, speeches, and videos from their previous functions kept everyone engaged and entertained as they celebrated the newly married couple. The couple matched the vibe with eclectic high-fashion couture and left everyone speechless with their panache.

After Party
The energy revved up with a high-octane Techno after-party where the bride and groom were in their element as they danced with their friends and family. Rousing beats kept the party going till the next morning.

Advice for couples
“My advice to all brides-to-be would be that they shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with their wedding outfits! It’s the only time you get to experiment and go all out with your outfits, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box and pick unique choices. All brides should do what makes them feel empowered and makes them stand out.
In terms of wedding planning, finalize the wedding venue at least 6-8 months before the wedding date. Make sure you have an idea of all the wedding events and the mood of each event. If you can, hire a planner. The last thing you need is stress before your D-Day, so get a professional who knows how to handle vendors, venues, and of course the accounts. Finalize outfits in time to avoid a hassle in the end, and book your MakeUp Artist, Photographer, and DJ + Emcee right after you decide on your wedding date. Lastly, love the process! It might be stressful but once you get to the wedding, it all seems worth it!”

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Thailand
Wedding Planner: The Wedding Galore
Groom’s Outfits: Shivan and Narresh (Pool Party), Mayank Chawla (Cocktail, Reception), Dhruv Sehgal (Wedding)
Bride’s Outfits: Jovani (Welcome Dinner), Monisha Jaising (Pool Party), Ebru Şancı Öztürk (Cocktail), Nikita Kashyap (Haldi), Rimple and Harpreet Narula (Wedding), Amit Aggarwal (Reception), Valkyre (After Party)
Jewelry: Rianti (Welcome Dinner, Cocktail), Simran Chhabra Jewels (Pool Party), Prune (Haldi), Rajwada Polki (Wedding), Ultimate Diamonds (Reception)
Kaleerein: Be Abhika
Makeup: Kashika Dhingra (Welcome Dinner), Pooja Khurana Makeovers
Hair: Archana Rautela
Mehndi: Sona Mistry Mehandi
Invites: Malvika Behal Designs
DJ: DJ Nitesh
Emcee: Punit Lalwani
Photography and Videography: The Wedding Files

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