Juhi Ajmera and Shehzad Vasi, SO/ Sofitel Hua Hin, Thailand
Embracing extravagant themes with a tinge of nostalgia, this destination wedding in Thailand was a visual treat!
Dr Juhi Ajmera and Shehzad Vasi’s union in Thailand was an immersive experience with an emphasis on guest indulgence. Hosted at SO/ Sofitel Hua Hin in Thailand, the wedding party had a gala time enjoying dramatic sunsets and the pristine beaches. Photographing the couple as they took the plunge into marital bliss was WeddingSutra Favorite – Movie’ing Moments.
How They Met
Juhi and Shehzad first crossed paths during high school, where they were acquaintances from 2010 to 2012. After Juhi moved to the UK to pursue medical studies and practice, the two lost touch. However, fate brought them back together at a friend’s engagement party in Mumbai in late 2021 while Juhi was on vacation. Their reconnection sparked a romance, leading to Juhi’s return to India in mid-2022. The couple got engaged on January 2nd, 2023, in a heartfelt proposal surrounded by their immediate families. Shortly thereafter, they celebrated their engagement with a memorable holiday in Oman.
Wedding Venue
Being beach lovers, the couple was instantly smitten with Thailand. The duo shares, “ Thailand was our immediate choice after our engagement because we desired a beachy vibe for our wedding. After exploring various locations, Hua Hin emerged as the ideal spot for the November nuptials. It has excellent connectivity to Bangkok, accommodating our guests travelling from across the globe. Plus, there was a minimal chance of rain here during the last week of November!
We chose SO/ Sofitel Hua Hin because it offered a non-traditional setting for an Indian wedding, presenting a fun challenge. The hotel’s spacious layout and diverse open venues allowed us to host different functions in unique settings over the four-night event, with each room, from basic to suite, maintaining a high standard of luxury.”
Wedding Planning
Juhi recollects, “Throughout all our wedding functions, we ensured our guests were pampered with massages from the beginning to the end of the celebrations. Our outside caterers set up live stations featuring innovative dishes at every event. Flairmix handled our bartending needs, and each event boasted a unique bar setup with distinct props. We also had a specially curated cocktail menu for each occasion, adding a personalized touch to the beverages served.” As the couple celebrated their union, Movie’ing Moments was there at every step of the way capturing candid moments of love for the duo to cherish forever.
Wedding Functions
Welcome Dinner
The couple shares, “We commenced with a vibrant Luau (Hawaiian party) theme, inspired by the movie ‘The Runaway Bride’. It featured fire performers, tiki torches, and interactive games like giant Jenga and balloon shooting, fostering connections among guests.”
Frat Party
A tribute to Shehzad’s love for hosting and throwing parties, this event showcased his favourite liquor, that is, Jägermeister, including a Jägermeister-shaped piñata filled with nostalgic goodies. Guests dressed in school or college attire enjoyed classic party games like beer pong. Meanwhile, Juhi donned her cheerleading uniform from her university days.
Haldi
Juhi shares, “The Haldi ceremony was a colourful affair with phoolon ki haldi, vibrant floral décor, Holi-inspired street food, and performances by the siblings. A rain dance and pool party ended the celebration on a high note.”
Sangeet
“Our Sangeet was a 90s-themed extravaganza, celebrating our favourite Bollywood music era and it was something that we bonded over when we met. The decor featured a giant disco ball, a DJ booth and a glamorous photo booth, transitioning from an outdoor setting to an indoor ballroom”, the duo shares.
Chooda and Baraat
Shehzad shares, “The next morning we wanted our guests to recover so the morning was free for our guests to enjoy the property with its multiple pools and many sporting activities. Juhi had an intimate Chooda ceremony. I hosted an afternoon baraat with a ‘moving bar’ and a DJ truck on the lawn. This event was attended by all the guests including Juhi’s family. Meanwhile, Juhi had her bridal reveal and a toast with her bridesmaids in the bridal suite.”
Wedding
The big day was hosted during sunset with a breathtaking sea view. The ceremony was a traditional Hindu wedding with each ritual translated in English to include all guests. Juhi walked down the aisle guided by her father. An outdoor wedding dinner with heartfelt speeches from family and friends followed the ceremony.
Pyjama Party
The final event was a relaxed pyjama party with a ball pit, bubble machine, and cozy bean bags, which created a slumber party vibe. The night concluded with a playful ballfight among the younger guests.
Advice For Couples
“Every couple is unique, so your wedding should reflect your distinct personalities. For us, this meant embracing extravagant themes and hosting events that catered to all age groups – from toddlers to seniors. We ensured that guests had ample downtime to enjoy the property and recover between events. When planning a destination wedding, consider the comfort of your guests and carefully look into the logistics of transportation and accommodation for a smooth experience,” the couple says.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: SO/ Sofitel Hua Hin – Thailand
Wedding Planner: Divine Events
Photography and Videography: Movie’ing Moments
Décor: Design by Peerapach
Groom’s Outfits: Bobo Calcutta (Welcome Dinner), Payal Singhal (Haldi), Sanjev Marwaaha (Sangeet), Tarun Tahiliani (Wedding), Manish Malhotra (Pyjama Party)
Bride’s Outfits: Abhishek Sharma (Welcome Dinner), Aneesh Agarwaal (Haldi), Manish Malhotra (Sangeet), JADE by Monica and Karishma (Wedding), Aisha Rao (Pyjama Party)
Makeup: Faces by Chaitali Sengupta
Choreography: Tappin Around
Bartenders: Flair Mix Co., Ltd