Meenal and Akul, InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort

Experience ultimate grandeur as Jhalak and Ashwin of Shades perfectly capture the fun and excitement surrounding Meenal and Akul’s destination wedding at the InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort.

How we Met
“It was an arranged marriage for us. My mum shared Akul’s number with me but I didn’t pay any heed so I was a bit surprised when he called me one night, just short of midnight. It felt a bit weird. But it was a memorable moment because we spoke to each other for more than four hours and decided to meet. One thing led to another and we knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.”

Wedding Planning
“Both Shilpa and Sonika of S&S – Weddings and Events and Mansa were a treat to work with. They understood our distinct tastes well and planned a fairytale wedding for us.”

Wedding Venue
“We wanted a beach wedding and the InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort was our ultimate choice! It is not only strategically located but also offers great hospitality and service which was our prime focus while selecting a venue.”

Wedding Functions

Mehndi
“We kicked off our wedding celebrations with a simple mehndi function followed by a sumptuous lunch and then a welcome dinner. It was a joyous event attended by close family and friends. Along with the fun mehndi application and impromptu singing and dancing sessions, the function was also a great get together. All our friends and family could just let their hair down and relax in anticipation of the festivities. I wore a beautiful green ensemble which was extremely comfortable during the mehndi application.”

Shagun
“We wanted our Shagun to be an amalgamation of the modern and traditional. So our décor was a mix of quirky aesthetics with a bright color theme; a rickshaw stand, colorful drapes and a stunning floral decor. To match with the vibrancy of the décor, I wore a multicolored lehenga and accessorized with minimal jewellery.”

Sangeet
“We hosted a glitzy sangeet party followed by the ring ceremony. The décor stole the show; the entire ballroom was decorated with white crystals, maple trees and florals. We even had a huge LED split screen that broadcast our special entry as a couple. The guests grooved to some catchy Bollywood beats performed live by the talented Aishwarya Bhandari. Our friends and family surprised us with a choreographed dance number which was very special.”

Haldi
“Our haldi was a very intimate function with only our very close family and friends attending. I prefer comfort over anything else and so chose to wear a simple yellow saree with a pink brocade blouse and floral jewellery that brought out my natural bridal glow.”

Pool Party
“The pool party was the perfect prelude to my wedding pheras! Everyone from the elderly to the youngsters enjoyed the party to the fullest. We had arranged for a rain dance session and served delicious drinks and snacks during the function.”

Wedding
“Soon after the pool party, we started with the sehrabanhi and baraat rituals. I had always envisioned a beach wedding and to see it happen was definitely a dream come true for me. Akul arrived in a romantic vintage car surrounded by his groomsmen and family who escorted him to the mandap. We had our pheras hovering over the lily pond on a gorgeous platform built over the waterbody, which made the moment even more mystical. I had always wanted to wear a dark-hued lehenga for my wedding pheras and therefore stuck to an embellished lehenga in deep wine and accessorized with a statement choker, gold earrings and a nath.”

Advice for Brides
“Delegate things and try to be as calm as you can during your wedding. Enjoy your wedding festivities and stay positive!”

The Wedding Makers
Location- Intercontinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort
Wedding Planners- S&S – Weddings and Events by Shilpa and Sonika and Mansa Wedings & Events
Design and Decor- Floral Hut
Entertainment- DJ Beck
Photography- Shades Photography

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