Anishka Thakur and Saransh Gulati, Avani+ Khao Lak Resort, Thailand
From beachside wedding vows to a Bridgerton-themed Cocktail, this Thailand wedding was like no other.
Anishka and Saransh celebrated their love with not 1, not 2, but 4 wedding celebrations, whisking their loved ones to the tropical shores of Thailand for the ultimate getaway. Full of fun family moments, themed decor, and personalized details, their festivities paid homage to their decade-long journey of love, every moment of which was immortalized by WeddingSutra Favorite – Magic Motion Media.
How they met
Anishka Thakur, who runs a Medical Diagnostics Business in Mumbai met London-based Financial Technology professional Saransh Gulati in Singapore in 2012. Studying in the same college, the two were the definition of opposites attract, and their friendship soon evolved into love. Across 5 countries and 9 years, the two nurtured a bond that stood the test of time, long distances, and the ups and downs of life. After almost a decade of togetherness and a dreamy proposal in Sri Lanka in 2020, they affirmed their love for each other with not 1, not 2, but 4 wedding celebrations!
Wedding Venue
Since the couple had already had their traditional wedding ceremony, all they wanted to do was have a non-stop celebration with their loved ones. Being beach and party people, Thailand was the obvious choice for their getaway. It also held special meaning for the two, as it was the location of their very first vacation together. Their search led them to the beautiful shores of Khao Lak, choosing the stunning Avani+Khao Lak Resort for its perfect blend of relaxing, resort ambiance, and beautiful spaces.
Wedding Planning
They entrusted the team of Magic Motion Media with covering every moment of their festivities, while a team of talented Thailand-based vendors crafted their dream wedding. Sejal of Makeovers by Sejal gave the bride flawless looks for all the functions.
Anishka shares, “On your wedding day you spend most of your time with your make-up artist and photographer, and while their expertise is undeniably important, what matters more is how comfortable they make you feel. With so much packed into just a few days, your wedding can be quite stressful, and if they are approachable and make you feel at ease in those waves of emotions, they help you get through it all effortlessly. My photographer Roy always made me laugh, and my make-up artist Sejal told me funny wedding stories which would take off the pressure. We truly became family.”
Wedding Functions
Dhol Night
Kicking off the festivities with some Punjabi fervor, the couple hosted a fun dhol night to welcome their guests. Flying in from India and other countries, their guests settled in and mingled as they enjoyed the rousing beats and energy of the traditional Punjabi function.
Welcome Lunch
The next day saw a morning of relaxation, comfort food, warm family moments, and a whole lot of love. The couple and their loved ones enjoyed delicious eats and Thailand’s famed Chang Beer as they geared up for the evening. The bride and groom matched the tropical setting in vibrantly printed ensembles.
Wedding Vows
Anishka shares, “Since we had already done our phera ceremony with an Indian priest, we instead chose to do our wedding vows in Thailand. It was a celebration of our love, where we affirmed our vows to each other. Having lost my father at a young age, I walked down the aisle with my mother and did the “father-daughter” dance with my father-in-law. I even added a mother-daughter dance to honor my mom, and we danced to a song that used to be my father’s favorite. It was a beautiful evening full of emotional moments we would cherish forever.”
The bride flaunted her unique sense of style in a modish short wedding dress with a long train, brimming with the intricacies Falguni and Shane Peacock are famous for. Imagined with a Greek theme, the evening saw rousing music, dancing, and the much-loved “OPAAAA” plate breaking.
Pool Party
A morning of detox, fun, and enjoyment, the pool party was all things tropical, with massages, coconut water, splashing in the pool, and a lot more. The bride and groom walked amidst great cheers with their friends and white balloons which they released into the sky. The relaxing day of pool fun was the perfect way to unwind from the festivities of the previous night while refreshing for the evening soiree.
Cocktail
Inspired by the bride’s love for the show “Bridgerton”, the Cocktail soiree was imbibed with the elegance and decadence of Regency Era England, complete with letters from Lady Whistledown with secrets about the couple and masks for the guests. The bride dedicated her solo performance to her late father, dancing to the song “Papa Kenthi Hai Ladki bada Naam Karegi”, moving everyone to tears. The evening saw joyous toasts, cake-cutting, and a whole lot of dancing as they celebrated the newlyweds.
Advice for couples
“Remember to have fun! The wedding is first and foremost a celebration for you and your partner. Everyone goes out of their way in terms of budgets, effort, and most importantly the tears and sleepless nights for their wedding planning, and in all this, we forget that the wedding is for us, the couple. Another tip would be to include your story in the smaller things, through songs, speeches, and decor. And finally, stay true to who you are instead of following trends, and you will have a celebration that would be absolutely unforgettable”.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Avani+ Khao Lak Resort, Thailand
Wedding planner: Exciting Episodes
Decor: Riches Event
Bride’s Outfits: Gazal Gupta (Welcome Lunch), Falguni and Shane Peacock (Wedding Vows), Deme Love by Gabriella (Pool Party), Seema Gujral (Cocktail)
Makeup: Makeovers by Sejal
Invite: Studio EM by Mimansa
Entertainment: Aesop’s Bangkok
Photography and Videography: Magic Motion Media
