Shree and Krishna, The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel, Kerala 

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of The Leela Kovalam, Shree and Krishna’s wedding beautifully brought together two rich cultures in a celebration that was equal parts traditional and timelessly elegant. Conceptualised and executed by WeddingSutra Favorite – Q Events and Weddings, the celebration beautifully interwove Gujarati warmth with Tamil Brahmin tradition, creating a tapestry of rituals, aesthetics, and emotions that felt both rooted and refined.

Wedding Planning
The Groom’s family, British Indians with Gujarati roots, and the bride’s family, a Tamil Brahmin family from Chennai, envisioned a wedding that celebrated their cultural contrasts while embracing shared values. With guests flying in from the UK, USA, and India, the team at Q Events and Weddings crafted a seamless, globally-minded yet deeply traditional celebration that unfolded with precision and grace. From the start, the brief was clear—honor the authenticity of both families while letting the soul of Kerala shine through,” shares Damini Oberoi of Q Events and Weddings.

“We designed each function to reflect the identity of both families while immersing everyone in the spirit of Kerala,” says Damini. “Our goal was to ensure that no ritual felt foreign to either side. Every moment was intentional, inclusive, and layered with cultural meaning.” From the moment guests arrived, they were welcomed into a world of lush greenery, coconuts, banana trees, and the sounds of traditional drummers.

Wedding Functions
Mehndi
The festivities began with a spirited welcome dinner that doubled as the Mehndi. The evening paid homage to India’s cultural diversity. The venue’s facade came alive through a light projection depicting stories from across India, while the soulful strains of the Ravan Hatha set a nostalgic tone. Guests experienced a multi-sensory ‘mela-like’ atmosphere complete with chaat and bangle carts, Rajasthani folk elements, and vibrant décor in jewel tones. The highlight was the Krishna Swagatam Dance, performed by Mohiniyattam dancers and led by the bride’s mother, which seamlessly blended Tamil and Kerala traditions.

The bride and groom’s puja ceremonies were performed simultaneously in Tamil and Gujarati styles, followed by a lively ‘Sports Day’ bringing laughter and friendly competition to the lawns.

Haldi
Hosted at a lawn by the beach, the Haldi radiated sunshine and joy. A marigold-lined walkway led guests into a vivid yellow-and-white setup where South Indian and Gujarati cuisines were served. Floral ladis, earthen pots, cane lamps, and wooden tables reflected rustic elegance, while Kavadi dancers added rhythm and energy. The couple’s turmeric ritual took place in brass urlis, followed by showers of petals and plenty of laughter. As Damini shares, “This was one of my favorite moments. The setting was simple yet soulful. You could feel the joy ripple through the crowd as both cultures came together in celebration.” Guests later indulged in playful activities like bangle-and-bindi carts and block printing, turning a weather interruption from the Mehndi into a creative memory.

Sangeet
For the Sangeet, the bride’s mother’s wish for Garba was reimagined as an Indian-inspired Enchanted Forest, a perfect blend of Gujarati vibrance and modern fantasy. Guests entered through a foliage arch lit with butterflies, crystal balls, and fairy lights. Inside, a towering fibre tree adorned with lamps and flowers became the centrepiece of the ballroom.

The evening overflowed with warmth and family emotion—anchored by Shree’s uncle, punctuated by heartfelt performances, and culminating in a beautiful moment when Shree’s grandmother blessed her as her mother and aunts danced behind. The night concluded with a Garba session led by the family’s guru, transforming the ballroom into a joyful swirl of color and rhythm before the DJ took over. “It was a moment where you could see generations dancing together,” Damini recalls. “That’s when you know a wedding has touched hearts.”

Wedding
Held at the beach, the wedding was a traditional Tamil Brahmin ceremony infused with thoughtful Gujarati elements. Guests entered through a pathway framed with banana leaves, baby elephants, and brass décor, leading to a mandap of white florals, banana leaves, and brass Urlis. Rituals began with a lively baraat led by a DJ, followed by Gujarati customs like Naak Kichai, then the Tamil Kashi Yatra. The ceremony unfolded beneath the open sky, with live classical musicians alternating between North Indian ragas and Nadaswaram pieces, symbolising harmony between traditions.

Shree arrived, led by her bridesmaids, each holding banana leaf cones filled with petals. Her saree-change ritual, guided by her new family, embodied the graceful merging of two heritages. “The wedding was the purest expression of balance between tradition and inclusivity, spirituality and celebration,” says Damini. The post-ceremony Sadhya lunch was a gastronomic highlight, introducing many guests to the Kerala banana-leaf feast for the first time.

Reception
In contrast to the morning’s rituals, the reception unfolded as an elegant English-style soirée. Within hours, the planning team transformed the same ballroom from an enchanted forest into a refined white-themed celebration. Guests enjoyed cocktails by the beach under a canopy of fairy lights as a live band played soulful tunes. Inside, the décor was minimalist with white florals, greenery, and candlelit tables creating an atmosphere of quiet sophistication.

The evening flowed with emotional speeches, a surprise flash mob, and live music by A26, before DJ Regge closed the night with an energetic after-party. “It was magical to see the transformation, from a traditional morning to a contemporary evening. The family’s reactions made every effort worth it,” smiles Damini.

The Wedding Makers
Venue: The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel, Kerala
Wedding Planner: Q Events and Weddings
Caterers: Foodlink Luxury Catering (Haldi, Sangeet & Reception) and Leela (Mehndi, Sangeet & Wedding)
Entertainment: Stellar Strings (Reception), A26 (Reception)
DJ: DJ Regge (Sangeet, Baraat, Reception)
Production: The Wedding Factory (Mehndi, Sangeet, Haldi, Reception) & Magical Weddings (Wedding)

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