Richa and Mohit, Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa, Thailand
A beach wedding that followed contemporary themes and fresh ideas to create holiday-like festivities to delight guests.
Richa and Mohit’s desire for a dreamy beach wedding was converted into a reality by WeddingSutra Favorite Mpire Weddings. Here, groom Mohit takes us through his and Richa’s journey of love, as well as the highlights of the celebrations.
How They Met
“We first met 10 years ago, at Richa’s cousin’s birthday party. Over the years we occasionally met which always led to interesting conversations. During our college phase, Richa would shuttle between Dubai and Italy, while I was studying in Virginia, US. Our unplanned meetings got more frequent after that. We realized we had a connection but did not admit it to each other. I always thought marriage was not a necessary aspect of life, but I knew if I were to pursue Richa, it would lead to marriage. So I then began to ignore her and avoided social gatherings to dodge her. To top it, she was also my friend’s sister, so the ‘bro code’ had to be maintained! But the ignoring phase clearly didn’t go on for long and love won!”
Wedding Venue
“We wanted a beach wedding, but as we proceeded, we realized that our dream wedding had to include many other factors too. It had to be private, personal, relaxed and minimal and not flashy or extravagant. We had very few events in mind, but a different venue for each one. Once our conditions were met, we had to ensure our guests were happy and felt like they were on a holiday. The Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa in Thailand provided just the right balance of beautiful views, spacious rooms, and most importantly mouth-watering food. To top it all, it was the most pocket-friendly option!”
Wedding Planning
“We were very busy before the wedding, but as soon as we got to the venue, we were left to enjoy the festivities, thanks to Mpire Weddings. The team made sure that all that was communicated to them was executed. Mpire Weddings brought their A-game to our wedding, and we were extremely lucky to have signed them on as our wedding planner.”
Wedding Functions
Sundowner
Mpire Weddings stayed true to the beach wedding theme and executed a tropical wonderland. The venue featured exotic elements such as a wooden draped archway entrance, floral bouquet table stands and fun stalls. Guests enjoyed an array of beverages, and as the sun set, the venue was lit with fairy lights which made everything look enchanting. Richa looked stunning in a Shantanu & Nikhil lehenga, and Mohit cut a suave figure in his suit by Sartor Men.
Wedding
The wedding decor featured a foliage mandap supported by acrylic pillars. As Chiavari chairs faced the mandap and the azure waters, a white aisle bordered by flowers made for a perfect path for the couple. Richa opted for a white lehenga by Avvantika S Parrwani which she paired with striking diamond jewellery. Mohit donned a traditional ivory sherwani by Shimul Doshi which he teamed with a bright red shawl and a printed turban.
Wedding Dinner
The pheras were followed by a sit-down dinner. The decor was classy and exquisite with a podium adorned by a mesh panel bordered with pastel blooms. The long dining tables had floral centerpieces of roses, lilies and fronds. White linen drapes incorporated with lights created an illusion of the stars above them. After the cake cutting, the couple matched steps for their first dance as man and wife, which was followed by fun games.
After Party
“We did not want a dress code since the most stressful part about attending weddings is always deciding what to wear. So, we wanted to give our guests some flexibility on that front. Little did we know too much choice can be a bad thing as well. People were so confused with the dress codes that we had to make a separate #DressCodeSimplified poster!”
Advice For Couples
“Hire a planner that understands your needs and priorities and make sure you meet the people that will be working behind the scenes before signing them on. It is not enough to know that their work is good, sometimes you need to know that the people doing the work have a good heart and are passionate about what they do. We also saved some money by doing all our graphics work ourselves with the help of a friend. Also, add 20 per cent to whatever you have done on your budget calculations.”
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa, Thailand
Wedding Planner: Mpire Weddings
Decor: Kanoknit Decor
Bride’s Outfits: Shantanu & Nikhil (Sundowner), Avvantika S Parrwani (Wedding)
Groom’s Outfits: Sartor Men (Sundowner), Shimul Doshi (Wedding)
Makeup Artist: Jamini Bhambri
Photography: The Lightsmiths
