Priyanka and Rasesh, Bangkok, Thailand
Priyanka and Rasesh's fun Bangkok wedding was based on a deep, decades-long friendship between their families.
A friendship between two families that began 40 years and three generations ago evolved into familial ties when Priyanka and Rasesh tied the knot. Their Thailand wedding was planned to perfection by WeddingSutra Favourite – Keeran the Wedding Planner. Here are a few highlights from the festivities.
How They Met
“Despite our families knowing each other for about forty years, Rasesh and I actually met just two years ago. Dinner with the Seths was a standing tradition every time we visited the country. However, even though we exchanged numbers and Rasesh tried to stay in touch, I never paid much heed to his efforts as I thought we were related. He had to track our connection and convince me that we didn’t share a gene pool! His persistence paid off eventually, and over countless visits to Bangkok, multiple surprises and unconventional love and support, we broke the news to our families, who were ecstatic! That was a beautiful moment for the Mahendrus and Seths.”
Wedding Venue
“Rasesh didn’t want a Mumbai wedding, but I was certain I wanted to wed in the Thai capital as I hailed from there. Our priorities when choosing a wedding venue were optimum comfort and service for our older family members, and the ability to accommodate more than 350 guests who were flying in to be a part of our special day. After a few site visits, we booked Anantara Riverside for its luxurious resort feel, high standards of service and gorgeous riverfront vistas.”
Wedding Planning
To bring their vision to life, they chose Weddings by Keeran as their wedding planner. “I have known Keeran for years, and we enjoyed a very open line of communication. She and her team were hands on with implementing everything we dreamed of,” shares the bride.
Priyanka bought her entire wedding wardrobe in Mumbai in a span of seven days, mostly from Aza Fashions, which with its plethora of designer labels, is the perfect fix for all kinds of bridal shopping. “My family and Rasesh picked their outfits based on my ensembles’ color schemes.”
Wedding functions
Mehendi
The mehendi function was all about minimalist magic, and the decor included paper lanterns, flowing drapes and a subtle infusion of blue and pink flowers. Priyanka looked sunny and sensational in a simple yellow suit with vibrant mirrorwork.
Engagement
The engagement sundowner was an elegant soiree with a bohemian vibe thanks to the teepees, fire poles and rustic floral elements. The ceremony was all the more special as Rasesh went down on one knee to officially propose to Priyanka. The bride-to-be, who looked stunning in an peach saree gown, gleefully accepted.
Anand Karaj
Held the next morning along the river front, the Anand Karaj ceremony had a stunning decor setup comprising of florals under a canopy of trees. Priyanka shares, “We had customized little books with our names, and these explained the significance of the four pheras, so everyone could sing along. It was all so personal and so us.”
Priyanka wore a shimmering blush pink Anushree Reddy lehenga, while Rasesh opted for an ivory sherwani with a blush turban.
Reception
After the vibrant outdoor wedding, the reception was a grand ball with a high glam quotient. The cascading lights and floral ornamentation marking out the dance floor was the focal point of the evening, where the couple and their guests danced the night away. The bride and groom looked no less stunning in a black tuxedo and a fiery showstopping red lehenga respectively.
Advice to Couples
“The planning process can often get overwhelming when trying to incorporate everyone’s ideas, but remember that your wedding is just a celebration. What matters in the long run is your marriage, so don’t let minor issues create differences among you. The most important thing is to enjoy your own wedding.”
The couple also advise couples to be methodical with the planning and stick to a budget. While it’s all right to want to host your dream celebration, care should be exercised to not generate excess waste, and try and keep your wedding sustainable. A simple act of donating leftover food will make your wedding not just happy for you, but also for someone else too.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Anantara Riverside, Bangkok, Thailand
Wedding Planner: Keeran The Wedding Planner
Decor: Keeran The Wedding Planner
Bride’s Outfits: Anushree Reddy (Reception), SVA by Sonam and Paras Modi (Anand Karaj)
Makeup: Makeup by Nui & Kwan Makeup Artist
Hair: Vishnu Wistsanu & Art Adison Setthawong
Evite: Lovenote – By Nikita Kirloskar
DJ: Xunnydey
MC: Chaitanya Sharma (Slow Cheeta)
Photography and Videography: Doodle Studio
