Drishti Khemani and Pranav Ashok, Taj Malabar Resort & Spa, Cochin
This seaside wedding mandap was an artistic mix of green foliage, sheer white drapes and terracotta elements.
Drishti Khemani and Pranav Ashok’s union was hosted by the shores of Cochin at Taj Malabar Resort & Spa where they soaked up the sun as they had a fun time with their loved ones. Finely balancing the vital elements from both, their cultures, that is, Marwari and Tam Brahm, the duo hosted a series of elegant events.
How They Met
Drishti shares, “We met at a friend’s place in Singapore during a Cricket World Cup match (2017). I had purple hair at the time and Pranav tried to start a conversation about it, but I wasn’t having it as I was seeing someone else! Fast forward six months, I’m single and we run into each other at a bar. He asked for my number, pretending he needed some “creative work” reviewed. The very next day, we coincidentally bumped into each other at another party and ended up chatting all night. That’s when he finally asked me out on a proper date.”
The Proposal
Pranav’s proposal was a spontaneous one, catching Drishti unawares as they traversed Germany. Drishti recollects, “The proposal happened in Berlin, the first country Singapore opened flights to during the pandemic. We flew there to meet my sister and his brother. After spending a week with them, we had a 10-day road trip through Bavaria, just the two of us. On our third day in Berlin, while casually walking to meet some friends at a bar, Pranav got down on one knee—right in the middle of nowhere, honestly. The one thing I wanted for my proposal was not to expect it at all—no photographers, no crowd, no hints that it was coming. And it was just that!”
Wedding Venue
Drishti shares, “We heard about Taj Malabar Resort & Spa in Cochin from some friends of friends (at another wedding!). Cochin wasn’t even on our radar—he’s from Bangalore, I’m from Delhi. We’d done this big road trip through Rajasthan checking out venues, but when Cochin came up, it just sounded too good to pass up.
Taj Malabar Resort & Spa was perfect—beautiful, intimate, and honestly, it made our wedding, which was hosted in October feel like a big family vacation. You could get anywhere in minutes, which made everything super laid-back. Plus, with the sea right there and all the lush greenery, the place already looked stunning. And since we’ve both lived in Singapore for over 10 years, direct flights for our friends from Singapore and Dubai were a big bonus.”
Wedding Planning
The couple shares, “It was a Tam Brahm and Marwari fusion wedding. The Haldi, Mehndi, and Sangeet followed Marwari traditions, while the wedding ceremony was Tamil Brahmin. We hosted the wedding around 10 a.m. instead of the usual early morning Tamilian wedding times. The Sangeet was held after the wedding so people could party late without worrying about an early start the next day.” Spearheading their wedding planning was Unicorn Events & Wedding Planners who helped the couple’s vision come to life.
Wedding Functions
Haldi and Mehendi
Clubbing the haldi and mehndi celebrations together, the duo commenced the wedding celebrations on a cheerful note. Drishti shares, “We wanted a citrusy, wildflower vibe, so there were lots of lemons, lilacs, and oranges. Needless to say, we had an incredible time as everyone was high on energy and playfully slathered us with haldi.”
Welcome Dinner
For the following evening, the duo decided to keep things light and warm with a scrumptious welcome dinner that had everyone sharing stories while indulging their taste buds. Drishti adds, “We kept it simple and fuss-free lamps and lanterns that created a cozy atmosphere. It was a night for speeches and hanging out with everyone.”
Wedding
The couple shares, “The theme was lotuses, bronzes, and whites. We really wanted the Kerala backwaters to shine through in this function, and the traditional Kasavu Sari was our starting point for the décor as it inspired us to choose other elements.”
Sangeet
“This one was a wildcard! It rained heavily after the wedding, and the fields flooded, so our planners had to come up with a whole new setup in a few hours! They brought in German tents, reconfigured the décor, and made it all happen at the last minute!”, the newlyweds shared.
Advice For Couples
The duo shares, “After each event, sneak off with your partner for a bit and chat about everything that happened. You’ll be so caught up with your guests, friends and family, that you might barely spend time together! We’d sit down and share our top five moments after each function. Also, your wedding planners are going to be your best friends—take your time choosing the right one.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Taj Malabar Resort & Spa, Cochin
Wedding Planner: Unicorn Events & Wedding Planners
Makeup: Priyanka Jose
DJ: DJ Sunny Deepak
Photography: The Royal Knot
