Samhita Vemuri and Avinash Kottekkat, The Leela Kovalam, Kerala
Paying ode to both their cultures, this couple’s fusion wedding by the sea was a stunning blend of colors and time-honoured rituals.
Samhita Vemuri and Avinash Kottekkat’s fusion wedding in Kerala was nothing short of a dream come true. Hosted by the seashore at The Leela Kovalam, A Raviz Hotel, the wedding was punctuated by enchanting vistas and impeccable hospitality. Striking the right balance between glamour and natural elements, this wedding planned and designed by WeddingSutra Favorite – Marriage Colors was a stunning celebration.
Wedding Planning
Samhita shares, “Avinash hails from Kerala and the state has some of the most beautiful vistas we’ve seen. So, we were pretty sure that we wanted to get married here.
We wanted to honour both our traditions hence had 2 marriage events, one for each state which was thoroughly planned by team Marriage Colors. Honestly, the planning team was on their toes throughout their wedding as they managed our families and each event at the wedding. As our families arrived in Kovalam, they were keen on visiting the renowned Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the planning team was accommodating as they arranged for buses and looked after the logistics. They even designed the wedding and we were particularly impressed by the design concepts they used at our haldi and wedding ceremony.”
Wedding Functions
Mehndi
Cane furnishings along with macrame wall hangings were used across the venue during the mehndi. The decor was kept minimalistic as the bride and the close members of her family got their hands patterned with henna.
Sangeet
At the sangeet, the glamour levels were at an all-time high as the couple geared up for a night filled with groovy songs and playful dance performances. Fairy lights, movie posters and LED light installations were all a part of the decor. The wall of movie posters was especially favoured by the guests as a photo-op spot. Additionally, a vast stage was constructed for various dance performances and a special seating area was also decorated for the couple.
Haldi
For the garden-based haldi, the decor made the most of the natural beauty. Marigold blooms contrasted beautifully with the lush green landscape while the palm tree trunks were used to hoist up flowy canopies. Colorful dream catchers, a live perfume-making stall, counters brimming with fragrant jasmine blooms and rustic cane baskets were also a part of the decor.
Wedding
To pay homage to both their cultures, the couple hosted a Kerala-style wedding as well as a Telugu wedding ceremony. The Kerala-style wedding consisted of a chrome aisle and a white wedding mandap. Hosted on the beach, the white-hued wedding looked gorgeous by the waves with its simple decor and warm moments.
For the Telugu wedding, the couple opted for vibrant hues of red, white and gold. A vast mandap with floral chandeliers lined by banana leaves was the centre of attention. Meanwhile, the rest of the venue was draped in red with white arches framing the bride and groom as they sat in the mandap.
Advice For Couples
Samhita shares, “The biggest tip is that a life of togetherness starts the day you say yes let’s get married. It may be easy to withhold but you need to support each other and plan together. It’s you and him now against the world, so include each other’s tastes, likes and dislikes in every conversation. That helped us a lot since going in we had the same mindset that reduced our differences and arguments with everyone. Rest assured having a checklist for your events, and outfits ahead saves a lot of trouble for everyone.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel
Wedding Planner and Décor: Marriage Colours
Groom’s Outfits: Telon, Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop, Agraj Jain
Bride’s Outfits: Agraj Jain, Ikokoriko, Cedar N Pine, Nirmooha, Tatwamm by Abhishek and Vinita, Sri Aaryanair Silks (Kerala Wedding), Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Telugu Wedding)
Makeup: Avinash S Chetia
Photography: WedArtistry
