Raksha and Deepesh, Thailand

From the butterflies you feel in your stomach when you see your crush to scribbling ‘Flames’ in the back of your school notebook, there is something endearing about love stories that begin in school. Raksha and Deepesh, who met through their mutual friends back in their school days, recently tied the knot in Phuket, Thailand. WeddingSutra Favorite – Bliss Events & Wedding, planned their seven functions to perfection. Scroll down to see beautiful moments of their wedding celebrations as the bride Raksha shares some highlights here.

How They Met
“Our story goes back to our childhood days. Deepesh and I were just 13 when we first got acquainted through our mutual friends. Over the years, we developed a strong friendship that soon blossomed into a romantic relationship.”

The Proposal
“We were in Bali for our friend’s wedding, and after all the functions got over, Deepesh insisted we go for an early supper at sunset. He also mentioned there’ll be a photographer as a part of the dinner package for the evening since he was designing a photobook and wanted to capture all our special moments from the trip. I knew he was a hopeless romantic at heart and was capable of pulling off something grand even for a date, so I didn’t suspect the idea proposed by him. As we approached the stunning cliff-top overlooking the ocean, our drivers (official photographers) insisted we get our pictures clicked with the beautiful sunset as the backdrop. After clicking a few photos, Deepesh pulled out a little book from his bag and began reading it. The book had heartfelt notes written against all our pictures. It wasn’t until the last page of the book that I heard Deepesh’s voice start quivering. He then pulled out a ring from his pocket and went down on one knee and I, overwhelmed with emotions, shouted a big ‘Yes!’ We then were taken to a beautiful location along the beach for a private dinner. It was just the two of us with candles, beach waves and pure love!”

Wedding Venue
“We weren’t adamant on having a destination wedding or a wedding in Melbourne, so we had a pool of options ready to choose from. Having lived in Bangkok previously for many years, we added Thailand to our list too. From making multiple venue visits in Melbourne to dialling numbers of overseas venues to watching destination wedding videos, we narrowed down four properties in Phuket. We then made a four-day trip to Phuket, and after seeing all the venues, we booked Angsana Laguna Phuket. From the minute we walked in, we fell in love with the property. The serene views, peaceful ambiance and the ability to perfectly accommodate all our guests met all our requirements.”

Wedding Planning
“Planning a wedding in another country is a hassle, but by choosing Bliss Events & Wedding as our wedding planner, we made the right choice. From the detailed floor plans, mock-up decorations and prompt Whatsapp responses, we felt we were in safe hands throughout the process. Their team worked tirelessly to bring our vision and detailed planning to reality. Angsana Laguna’s team provided the rest of the vendors. They were accommodating and prompt and orchestrated the entire wedding precisely the way we wanted.”

Wedding Functions

Mehndi
The mehndi function was an intimate event that took place in the family suite overlooking the stunning lagoon. All of Raksha’s closest friends and family were present to celebrate the occasion. The bride looked beautiful in a striking blue crop top and skirt ensemble.

Haldi
Their haldi ceremony was held at the hotel’s ballroom which was decorated with a pink and yellow colour palette, which made for a vibrant backdrop. Raksha and Deepesh celebrated their haldi function with their respective families, and received lots of blessings and wishes from their elders.

Sangeet
The couple hosted their sangeet in the evening at the Xana Lawn and Lagoon Deck. This was an outdoor setup decorated with lots of colorful elements. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t in their favour when the forecast went from a 10 percent chance of rain prediction to a 95 percent chance of thunderstorms. The couple, who had always wanted to have an outdoor sangeet, stuck to their plan. Luckily, the event turned out to be incredible with all their guests partying under the deck despite the rain. The DJ too shifted his gear in no time, and everyone danced on the floor. The bride looked pretty in a red and mint green lehenga while the dashing groom picked a hot pink kurta and an aqua blue jacket.

Wedding
The color scheme of their wedding hosted at Xana Beachfront included pastel pinks and a few punches of brighter colours. Soon after the pheras, the couple and their loved ones headed to the Lagoon Deck for a semi-formal dinner. Raksha and Deepesh made an impressive entry in a boat rowed across the lagoon. She wore an off-white lehenga with a coral dupatta, while he picked a white sherwani with an orange stole. The evening comprised of beautiful speeches, dance performances, and delectable food. After the dinner, they had the formal bridal farewell ceremony, which was extremely emotional. The morning after the wedding was light and fun with the couple and the groom’s family members playing post-wedding games like ‘Find the ring.’

Pool Party
Their pool party held at the poolside gardens was a casual event consisting of lots of food and drinks. Guests had the opportunity to cool down, interact and refresh themselves by splashing in the pool.

Reception
The grand finale to the wedding was packed with lots of incredible performances, sentimental speeches and foot-tapping music. The team of talented photographers shared an incredible ‘same day edit’ video that included snapshots of special moments across each event. They even included some shots from the beginning of their reception. The evening ended on a high note with DJ Yaths keeping the party going till about 5 am in the morning. It was the perfect wrap up to their wedding celebrations. Raksha looked stunning in a dark purple, velvet lehenga while Deepesh looked dapper in a white tuxedo.

Advice For Couples
“It’s easy to get stuck in the depth of all the details and forget the bigger purpose. It’s about the union of you and your better half, and that’s all that matters. Also, remember to delegate tasks to those close to you as you can’t take everything on your plate!”

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Angsana Laguna Phuket, Thailand
Wedding Planner: Bliss Events & Wedding
Caterers: Little Prince
Groom’s Outfits: Kaysons Ltd, G3Fashion, Perry Valente
Bride’s Outfits: Kaysons Ltd
Jewellery: Nyla Jewellery
Makeup: Lisa Allen Makeup Artist
Mehndi: Usha Chauhan
DJ: DJ Yaths
Light and Sound: Phuket Sound and Lighting (PSL)
Invitations: Madhurash

Photography: Ferndara

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