Shimul Sheth and Mihir Pandya, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, Thailand
From a 26-minute family performance to the bride’s entry to a song she recorded herself, this wedding was filled with special moments.
Navigating four time zones, Shimul Sheth and Mihir Pandya brought their dream destination wedding to life in Thailand. Meticulously planned and executed with beautiful personal touches, their Gujarati wedding was a labor of love, the experience of which was not just visually stunning but also deeply meaningful. Watch it all unfold.
How they met
Shimul shares, “Like so many in this digitally-driven world, we met online! Mihir was living in California, while I was in New York, and we met for the first time when he came here for work. I ‘broke the ice’ by literally breaking a candle in the first few minutes of our first date! Somehow, in that moment, we felt something special, like we found a home in each other. We continued talking through texts, calls, and video chats. Our second date was with ‘pav bhaji’ at the Newark Airport, when Mihir changed his business travel plans to add a 45-minute layover just so that we could meet.”
She continues, “The major shift in our relationship happened when the Pandemic struck. We couldn’t see each other for 5 months, and through all the lockdowns and challenges, we held on. We got through it together and finally, in February, we got married. After a journey that began online and spanned the whole country, we are now settled in California, starting our new journey as partners both in life and in business”.
Wedding Venue
Living in the US with family and friends in different parts of the world, the couple decided on a destination getaway where everyone could converge and celebrate their wedding. Thailand, with its idyllic beauty and luxurious resorts, was the perfect choice. Shimul shares, “We chose the stunning property of JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa. As soon as we saw pictures, we were certain it was our wedding venue, but we still decided to visit before making the final call. The goal was to experience a food tasting and get an authentic sense of the venue. What we encountered during our visit surpassed our initial expectations – the exceptional service, the natural beauty of the surroundings, and the direct access to the beach. Confirming our intuition, the chefs exceeded all expectations during the wedding. They went above and beyond, catering to our specific requests and even making khichdi and dal on short notice for family members who had fallen ill during the wedding. This journey solidified our choice and highlighted the venue’s incredible commitment to creating a remarkable and unforgettable experience for us.”
Wedding Planning
“When we were planning our wedding, everyone involved was spread across the globe. Mihir lived in California, my family and I were in New York, and his parents were in Singapore. Our extended family stretched from the US and Canada to India. After deciding on Thailand as the destination, we started by searching on Instagram and wedding websites like WeddingSutra to find a wedding planner and ended up choosing The Divine Events. We needed a team that could handle surprises, foresee problems, and adapt to changes. Rimmy and her team assured us they could do all that. We had lots of calls for planning – coming up with ideas, deciding on decorations, making schedules, and picking vendors. They made our ideas fit into our budget and turned them into reality. They also got what we meant by putting our guests first – a big deal for Mihir, me, and both our families.”
Koro Films immortalized their precious moments in flawless frames.
Wedding Functions
Mehndi
The informal festivities began with an intimate sunset event at the lounge, where the bride and close family members got their hands painted with beautiful henna designs. Mehndi artists were brought in from Bangkok, while Mihir and his cousin took on the role of DJs and kept the energy flowing. The bride wore a dark green outfit her mom had worn for her own wedding’s garba event, adding a special touch to the evening.
Welcome High Tea
After they arrived at Phuket Airport, all guests were chauffeured to the venue with welcome drinks and snacks and received with orchid garlands. For those whose rooms weren’t quite ready, the ocean-view hospitality lounge was a haven of treats – from snacks and tea to coffee and a light lunch. They were also treated to foot massages and a refreshing juice bar.
Welcome Dinner
The welcome dinner officially kickstarted the wedding celebrations, giving the couple and their loved ones a lovely opportunity to meet and mingle before the oncoming revelries. The theme centered around white and green tones, with a touch of bohemian charm, while the food spread consisted of pan-Asian cuisine – truly welcoming everyone to Thailand.
Shimul and Mihir made it a fun-filled evening with a big custom crossword with fun facts about them. Adding a touch of local culture, traditional Thai dancers took the spotlight with a performance. They also played the shoe game, where their differences and similarities were playfully unveiled. Finally, everyone engaged in a spirited game of ‘antakshari’ where their cousins acted as emcees, followed by a spontaneous dance party.
Ganesh Pooja
Both families performed the Ganesh pooja at the same time, each in separate adjacent parts of a ballroom, followed by a traditional Gujarati ‘mandwa murat’.
Haldi
The next day began with a sun-kissed haldi soiree, where the decor featured a rustic and wildflower theme with mason jar centerpieces. The culinary offerings for the function consisted of Mediterranean dips and appetizers and a live station serving up dosa and idli. Yellow was the color of the day, while the couple wore teal outfits that truly stood out. A special treat was the Mimosa bar, a nod to Mihir’s favorite drink, which blended beautifully with the vibrant yellow hues of the turmeric. The couple incorporated the tradition of their maternal uncles lifting them, to which their friends added a playful twist by spraying champagne bottles over them followed by an unexpected shower of ice-cold water.
Sangeet
The sangeet was a night of pure musical magic. Shimul had always envisioned a big family medley inspired by the film “Mujhse Dosti Karoge”, and wanted it to be a surprise. Mihir took charge, coordinating the entire thing with the help of his aunt and Shimul’s cousin, both representing the two families, and crafted a masterpiece of 26 minutes!
To set off the garba raas, both families together lit a traditional Gujarati divi (candle). The DJ then played Gujarati garba and raas songs, as everyone packed onto the dance floor, before switching to an open dance floor style, where once again, everyone danced their hearts out.
The decor was centered around flowers, candles, and lanterns, creating a charming ambiance. A traditional divi took center stage for the garba festivities. Contrary to the usual vibrant attire, Mihir and Shimul opted for black outfits by Shyamal and Bhumika for a chic twist. The food spread was a journey around the world, with live stations offering global delights from Mexican and Italian to North Indian cuisine.
Wedding
The wedding ceremony was a blend of unique moments and meaningful traditions. With a vintage car and a majestic chariot for Mihir and his family, the baraat was a spectacle to behold. Adding a deeply sentimental touch, the groom also introduced his late grandfather’s voice, expertly remastered by himself, from a recording of his Janoi ceremony at 13 years old.
Shimul’s friends and family welcomed the groom’s party, creating a fusion of laughter and anticipation with the epic “battle of the shoes,” a lively and slightly competitive encounter between Shimul’s spirited bridesmaids and Mihir’s equally spirited groomsmen. Adding to the list of personal touches, Shimul’s entrance was heralded by a song she had recorded herself in a studio in India, adding an intimate and captivating layer to the moment.
The bride and groom’s attires bore the stamp of individuality, being custom-stitched by a talented father-daughter duo, who also lent their artistic touch to Shimul’s mom’s wedding dress, creating a truly family affair. Shimul also adorned her late grandmother’s wedding set, a cherished heirloom that was worn by all her granddaughters on their wedding day.
Their beachside mandap stood adorned with pastels and florals, resonating with understated elegance, complete with photographs of their grandparents in a poignant tribute. Guests were provided with damp towels, mist fans, and shade to combat the heat as they witnessed the ceremony. Refreshments were thoughtfully offered along the way, ensuring that all felt revived throughout the ceremony, while the delicious food was meticulously packed and vacuum-sealed by a notable caterer in India.
Reception
The evening unfolded with a lively cocktail hour featuring live stations and a stunning greenery photo backdrop. Mihir looked dapper in a custom tuxedo while Shimul wore a custom-stitched lehenga by Shyamal and Bhumika. Anticipation filled the air as the parents made their entrance to lively tunes. The moment was set with the bride and groom’s grand entrance, leading to their first dance.
The emotional undercurrents continued with a touching father-daughter dance and a heartwarming mother-son dance. Both fathers took the spotlight to share their heartfelt sentiments, while Shimul’s ‘kaka’ (uncle) added his brief speech. A surprise video from Shimul’s brother added an unexpected touch of connection, making up for his and his wife’s absence due to the birth of their baby boy.
Friendship took center stage with energetic dances by the groomsman and friends, with Shimul and Mihir managing to surprise each other in both performances. Mihir orchestrated a surprise dance for Shimul during the bridesmaids’ dance, adding an extra layer of joy. Shimul and Mihir took the opportunity to express their gratitude through a heartfelt thank-you speech, acknowledging their journey and the shared moments that led to this celebration.
The atmosphere transformed into a party haven, sustained by the infectious beats of DJ Dev, as guests danced the night away. As the clock struck, the celebration continued with an intimate and low-key pajama after-party in the couple’s suite until 4 am, capping off the festivities with a touch of intimacy and togetherness.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa, Thailand
Wedding Planners: The Divine Events
Decor: Kanoknit Decor
Groom’s Outfits: Ketan Maneklal (Welcome Dinner, Haldi, Wedding), Shyamal and Bhumika (Ganesh, Sangeet), Suresh at Picadilly Tailors (Reception)
Bride’s Outfits: Jayanti Reddy(Welcome Dinner), Pankti Dalal (Haldi, Wedding), Shyamal and Bhumika (Sangeet, Reception)
Makeup: Makeovers by Sejal
DJ: DJ Dev
Photography and Videography: Koro Films
