Mugdha and Pranav, The Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa, Phuket, Thailand
They met in high school, fell in love and became best friends over time. Bride Mugdha and groom Pranav were so in sync that they even agreed to plan their own destination wedding with great results. Here, Mugdha shares how they pulled off their festive celebrations with finesse.
Mugdha and Pranav took on the responsibility of planning their destination wedding with help from WeddingSutra Favorite – Wizkim Wedding Design and Styling at Phuket’s Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa and wowed all with their floating mandap and decor.
How We Met
“Pranav and I met in high school more than 10 years ago. After six months of trying to get in touch with me, Pranav added me on social media. Several chats and phone calls later, he finally mustered the courage to ask me to be his girlfriend! I was attracted to him too and just couldn’t say no. From then on, we’ve been the best of friends for over 11 years. We’ve been through ups and downs, carried on a long-distance relationship and are finally married now!”
Wedding Proposal
“On 18th December 2015, Pranav planned and executed the best ‘fake school reunion’ with my friends. I had planned to go with Pranav but he told me that he couldn’t attend as he had some work and would be away. I decided to go anyway, and as I entered, I was in for a surprise; Pranav was there, holding a big ‘Marry Me’ sign along with my closest friends. He later went down on his knees and asked me to marry him – and through the tears, I nodded and said yes!”
That was not all. On their way home, Pranav surprised Mugdha yet again by confessing that he had already planned the engagement party at the Palace Hotel in Dubai and that she had only a week to prepare for it!
Wedding Venue
“We both love traveling and always wanted to have a destination wedding. We wanted a scenic backdrop for our events and found that the Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa in Phuket was perfect for us. After checking over 15 properties in Phuket, we instantly fell in love with the hotel’s breathtaking views and quaint Thai-style villas perched on a cliff. Besides, we had heard a lot about their hospitality and service which further influenced our decision.”
Wedding Planning
“Pranav and I took on all the wedding planning responsibilities as a project for us to work together. It was fun and exciting since it was a celebration of our relationship with our closest friends and family. Being consultants and perfectionists, we researched, brainstormed and collaborated on different topics and ideas to finally pick the best that we liked in areas such as events, décor, food, and vendors. We planned every little detail together. Wizkim Wedding too helped in giving a unique perspective to our ideas which aided us in coordinating everything effectively.”
Wedding Functions
Mehndi
“Pranav and I wanted a traditional mehndi function with a bit of a casual vibe. We had ‘dhol’ (drum) players and mehndi arists at the event to add a bit of fun and excitement to the function. For the décor, we decided on a vibrant ethnic floral theme with a fully decorated entrance, bridal ‘jhoola’ (swing) and eclectic center stage arrangements. We even had a fun bar which served unlimited spiked coconut water and mango mojitos to keep spirits high! Since it was an outdoor function, I wanted to be comfortable yet stylish, so opted for a beautiful light blue lehenga with intricate zardozi work that went well with the pastel decor.”
Bright paper lanterns, vibrant drinks stands, floral garlands from the ceiling at the terrace where the event took place created a picture-perfect ambience. Pranav wore a maroon kurta which featured intricate white embroidered motifs with white pyjamas.
Sangeet
“For the sangeet, we decided on an Indo-Western fusion theme when it came to the music, decor and even the dress code. We even had a curtain made of crystals at the entrance and arranged for a royal purple and ivory theme inside to give it a club-like environment. Our friends and family surprised us with special dance performances and skits which were very touching. I wore a shimmery midnight blue lehenga gown with silver shimmer and ‘tikli’ (round motifs, beads or sequins) work that perfectly suited the glitzy evening.”
Pranav wore a midnight blue kurta-pyjama ensemble that matched Mugdha’s lehenga perfectly. Her long, lustrous locks and dramatic makeup were perfect for her glittery ensemble and the glamorous vibe of the sangeet perfectly.
Wedding
“Our mandap overlooked the scenic ocean and was erected on top of an infinity pool which gave it an impression of a floating glow bulb! We decorated it with coral and pink hues which perfectly complemented my heavily embellished gold lehenga and the gorgeous Bhuramal Rajmal Surana & Sons jewellery. While Pranav made his entry on an elephant in true blue Thai-style, my family followed Indian traditions for the bridal entry where I walked down the aisle with my father as my brothers held the ‘phoolon ki chaadar’ (floral sheet) above me.”
“Makeup Artist Simran Takkar made me look like a dream. She was aware of the fact that I favor minimal makeup and gave me a gorgeous nude makeup look on my big day.”
Reception
Our reception theme had a retro charm to it. As we walked down to the beach which was lit with fairy lights strung up on trees on both sides of the walking trail. We had a beautiful marquee set up on the beach with a floral archway and a sign that read ‘Happily ever after starts here.’ I wanted to recreate old Hollywood vintage glamor, and the red ballroom lace gown paired with the delicate diamond necklace was an apt choice for it. The rustic décor of ivory with the soft yellow glow of candles and chandeliers was the perfect setting for some fun and moving speeches by my family and friends.”
The Wedding Makers
Location: The Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa, Phuket
Décor: Wizkim Wedding Design and Styling, Thailand
Jewellery: Bhuramal Rajmal Surana& Sons Jewellers for Wedding, L Sunderdas Zaveri for reception and Siroyajewlers for Mehndi
Makeup: Simran Takkar
Photography: Shades Photography
Videography: Picturemakers
