Shreya and Ashish, Bangkok

Though theirs was an arranged marriage, Shreya and Ashish were drawn to each other from the moment their eyes met. The duo tied the knot in Bangkok Thailand, hosting a big, fat wedding with functions over four days. WeddingSutra Favourite, Ramit Batra, captured the joy and happiness of the couple, their families and friends in beautiful pictures that will be cherished forever.

How they met
Shreya says, “Our parents arranged for us to meet in September 2018. Once we met, it hardly felt like it was an arranged marriage. There was an instant connection between us which grew deeper as we spent days and nights talking to each other.”

The Proposal
The happy bride recalls, “We spent months deciding on a design for my wedding ring. Ashish, being a jeweller, had already shortlisted three designs. I had always wanted a classic ring but Ashish said that from the time he first saw me, he knew he would get me a flower ring. I ended up choosing what he loved – a sunflower ring – which I will be proud to pass down to the coming generation. My excitement to see the ring mounted with each passing day. When we were in Mussoorie for our pre-wedding photoshoot by Ramit, we found the perfect cliff with a view of mountains. That’s when Ramit distracted me and Ashish went down on one knee, the ring in his hand. I couldn’t believe what was happening. At that moment, everything was perfect. The ring was the most beautiful engagement ring I’d ever seen.”

Wedding Venue
We chose the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, for its beautiful riverside view. It offered great venues for all our functions. The rooms are spacious and overlook the river, and the hotel offers many spots to relax. My favorite place at the hotel was Salathip. It had a typical Thai-style structure and interiors. This was where we held our haldi function.

Wedding Functions

Welcome Lunch
The couple hosted a welcome lunch for their guests. They booked a hall to welcome their guests, with dhols playing. There was chilled beer and Thai massage lounges at the relaxed meet and greet, along with a delicious lunch.

Yacht Party
In the evening, they sailed off on a cruise on the Chao Phraya River with all their guests on board. Everyone was dressed in tuxedos and gowns as they danced their way through the evening. The youngsters’ party started later at night to the tunes of classic 80s music. Shreya looked stunning in a silver Falguni Shane Peacock gown embellished with sequins and feathers. Ashish looked handsome in a Vavci Dubai’s tuxedo.

Mehendi
The theme for their mehendi and pool party was ‘Caribbean Carnival’. There was a live band, Los Latinos, along with Ramona girls performing for the guests. The decor was vibrant and there were games and exotic cocktails to keep guests entertained.

The ladies got beautiful mehendi designs drawn on their hands and the bride’s aunt spent over 10 hours doing her mehendi single-handedly featuring beautiful figures from the baraat, doli and varmala on her hands. She also drew the Delhi and Dubai skyline, with a plane flying across these places. Shreya looked lovely in a red and white lehenga from Sitara by Anu Sawhney Dhodi, with a custom-made dupatta from Karachi. Ashish wore a pink anarkali kurta with a pastel green jacket by Vavci Dubai.

Engagement and Sangeet
In the evening, the to-be-married couple had a sagan and ring ceremony followed by the sangeet. The sangeet started with Shreya and Ashish dancing to the song ‘Tere Bin’, followed by their friends and cousins dancing. The entire evening was all about ‘ladkiwale and ladkewale’ merrymaking and the couple thoroughly enjoyed their last night before tying the knot.

The decor was dreamy, with purple and white flowers and disco lights adorning the venue. The after-party was a big hit as DJ Vicky made guests dance to classic 90s Bollywood songs. The star couple danced the night away in a champagne-colored Shantanu & Nikhil gown with embroidery work and a Vavci Dubai navy blue jacket with floral motifs.

Oktoberfest
They say beer is the perfect cure for a hangover. After a night of drinking and dancing, an ‘Oktoberfest’ event – with Bavarian beer and cocktails – provided much-needed relief for guests who may have overindulged the night before.

Haldi
The haldi and chooda ceremony began on an emotional note for the bride and soon turned into a mad riot as the groom invaded the function and painted everyone yellow. The decor saw blue and yellow drapes, making the beautiful venue look bright and inviting.

Wedding
For their wedding, the couple picked four different venues for different rituals. The baraat saw Ashish enter the hotel in a vintage car wearing Achkan by Raghavendra Rathore. After the milni, all guests proceeded to the deck near the pier of the Chao Phraya River for the varmala. Shreya’s made her entrance in an authentic Thai boat, wearing a beautiful, pastel-green Sabyasachi lehenga.

She says, “I was nervous as I felt I might fall into the river! Luckily, I had support from my sister, friends, Ramit and Yuvraj. I forgot all my stress once the spotlight was on me. An extremely melodious tune played in the background, giving me goosebumps as the boat proceeded towards the pier. Once I stepped off the boat everything faded, and all I could see was Ashish. We had such cute moments throughout the evening and they’re still so fresh in my heart.”

The couple exchanged wedding vows under beautiful arches of a mandap laden with flowers.

Reception
The newlyweds enjoyed their first dance as husband and wife at the reception dinner, cutting their wedding cake to kick off the celebrations. The venue was decorated with fresh flowers, which effused a beautiful fragrance at the location.

Advice For Couples
“It’s essential to have a photographer who has a vision and can create magic. That’s what Ramit does. He had ideas all the time and we were on board with his creativity. He didn’t make us pose even once – all our pictures were candid. He captured the moment as it was, and that’s why we have so many beautiful pictures taking us down the memory lane.”

Wedding Makers
Venue: Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
Wedding Planner: Shloka Events
Décor: POM
Caterers: Flaming Trio, Charcoal Tandoor Grill and Mixology, El Mercado, Nadimos
Groom’s Outfits: Vavci Dubai (all functions), Raghavendra Rathore (Achkan for the wedding)
Jewellery: Conceptualised & designed by the groom
Bride’s Outfits: Falguni Shane Peacock (Yacht), Custom-made dupatta from Karachi and Sitara by Anu Sawhney Dhody lehenga (Mehendi), Shantanu & Nikhil (Sangeet), Sabyasachi (Wedding)
Jewellery: Conceptualised & designed by the groom
Makeup and Hairstylist: Ablaze by Simran Takkar
Mehendi: Poonam Rawlley
Entertainment: Ramona Girls, Bangkok, Los Latinos (Mehendi), Francois – Pianist (Reception), Antonio – Saxophonist (Yacht), MC Rudy
DJ: Dj Vicky, Kolkata, DJ Fred (Oktoberfest)
Invitations: Naina Lamba Textiles
Photography and Videography: Ramit Batra

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