Elizabeth Gregor and Akshay Joseph, Kumarakom Lake Resort, Kerala
Framed by tranquil backwaters, this cross-cultural wedding came alive with the culture and verdant beauty of Kerala!
US-based doctors Elizabeth Ann Gregor and Akshay Nathan Joseph celebrated their love with a wedding that combined the distinct charm of their different customs and heritage. Hosted in God’s own country, the wedding was artfully planned by WeddingSutra Favorite – Rainmaker Signature Weddings, incorporating the unique beauty and appeal of Kerala’s culture, cuisines, and traditions.
Wedding Planning
The couple’s destination unfolded amidst the tropical charm and stunning vistas of Kumarakom Lake Resort, a venue that preserves the heritage of Kerala through its architecture, landscape, backwaters, and authentic Kerala cuisines. The Team of Rainmaker Signature Weddings was tasked with bringing their dream wedding to life.
Co-Founder of Rainmaker Signature Weddings, Joel John shares, “The couple and the groom’s mother were involved in the entire process of wedding planning. They wanted each of the 5 events to look completely different from the other, and be designed with thoughtful personal touches. And with Kumarakom being a surreal and beautiful location, they wanted the décor to organically accentuate the existing ambiance and build a sublime aura for the wedding festivities.”
Wedding Functions
Cocktail Party
The festivities were kicked off with a relaxed Cocktail Party, where the guests from both sides could meet and mingle. Hosted on an open ‘Jhangar’ boat on the backwaters of Kumarakom, the event saw soft Hawaiian-themed decor with fairy lights, flowers, and an interactive bar.
Haldi
The next morning began with a traditional Haldi ceremony, imbibed with Kerala-inspired decor and details to honor the groom’s heritage. Imagined in a palette of yellow, white, and green, the decor featured traditional flowers and cane furniture for an authentic local feel. Kathakali, King Mahabali and his lady assistants (Thozhis), and Shingarimelam drummers welcomed the guests as they walked in. As the groom made his entrance under an ‘Ola Kuda’ escorted Shingarimelam team, the bride arrived in a traditional boat before being escorted in by a procession of ladies holding the traditional Kerala ‘thalams’. The event started with a ‘Ganga Aarti’ that was done by 7 pandits on the backwaters of the resort. This was a special moment as it was a surprise for everyone and left the crowd mesmerized.
The rest of the event continued with games, interactive stalls like live pottery making, tender coconut stall, fruit stall, live ‘Chaykada’, mehndi artists, and kids zone; and performances by family. For lunch, authentic Rajasthani thali was served to bring in a twist of North-South fusion.
Sangeet
Hosted at KTDC Waterscapes Kumarakom, The Sangeet was an incredible, ‘Arabian Nights’-themed event. The décor was bathed in hues of blue, purple, and gold. The evening saw a baraat procession with a Genie, while Arabian-themed guards and dancers, friends, and families of the couple brought the couple to the venue, who drove in in a vintage car. Heeramandi-inspired artists entertained the guests with their traditional dance, while a cinematic dance team kept the spirits high with all the latest Bollywood dance numbers. A tarot and a coffee cup reader also engaged the guests through the night.
Wedding
Inspired by the beauty of Madurai, the wedding was a traditional Iyengar celebration with a series of rituals and ceremonies that were both divine and fun for the families and the guests. The décor had accents of browns and pastels to infuse serenity into the occasion. The rituals like the ‘Oonjal’ ceremony, ‘Malai Maatrudal’, ‘Kaashi Yatra’, etc offered the guests unforgettable moments of love and culture. The ceremony was concluded with a traditional Saadhya lunch.
Reception
The festivities came to an end with a Shangri-La-themed Reception soiree, imagined with wavy fairy lights, pastel flowers, a surreal altar, and whimsical furniture. The couple took their official vows at the altar as per the bride’s customs, followed by the couple’s first dance, the mother-son dance, and finally an impromptu dance by all the father-daughter and mother-son duos among the guests. The evening included a gourmet spread of International delicacies, while Siddharth Menon and Orfeo Quintet entertained the guests with their music and energy.
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Kumarakom Lake Resort; KTDC Waterscapes (Sangeet)
Wedding Planner: Rainmaker Signature Weddings
Decor: Rainmaker Signature Weddings
Bride’s Outfits: Kalyan Silks (Haldi, Wedding), Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Sangeet), Manish Malhotra (Reception)
Makeup: Ralph Daniels
Bridal Saree Drapist: Krishnapriya P V
Mehndi: Shabnam Mehendi by Dr. Muhsina
Catering: Paragon Speciality Catering(Sangeet), Annapoorna Catering (Iyer Breakfast, Wedding)
Cake: Indulgence by Shazneen Ali
Bartenders: The Wedding Bartenders, Shake and Stir
Anchors: Poojitha Menon, Sandra Mariam Babu, Rohini Mariam Idicula
DJ: DJ Ricky Brown
Entertainers: Jerry’s Dance Crew, Biju Dhwani Tharang, Sinoy Devassy Percussions, Loveena Tarot Reader, Siddharth Menon with The Orfeo Band
Photography and Videography: Weva Photography
