Shloka and Kishan, The Palayana Hua Hin, Thailand
Kishan and Shloka's sangeet decor was unique as it fused an exotic Arabian Night vibe with ethnic Gujarati elements.
Kishan and Shloka met at work. In fact, they were introduced to each other by his sister who was the HR manager at their office. Over time their professional association turned into a strong personal bond. Here, the couple tells us about their romantic journey and highlights of their wedding held at The Palayana Hua Hin which was planned by WeddingSutra Favorite – I Do Etc.
How We Met
“Shloka and I worked in the same office where I was a part of the marketing team while she had shifted to the content team. Both our teams worked very closely, and our friendship started with small interactions, which were mostly work-related, then moved on to lunches that we would have together with our work friends. Eventually, cars rides, eating out, gossip sessions and chilling by the beach became a part of our routine, and over time, we became the best of friends. A couple of months later, we both knew we wanted more, but neither of us was ready to accept it. Finally, one night, Shloka confessed that she liked me and I did the same. Soon enough, the ‘like’ was replaced by ‘love.’”
The Proposal
“A few years after being together we both realized we wanted our relationship to be permanent, but I had a lot to achieve personally like graduation and a permanent job. So I made her wait for some time. Once I was ready, I planned a surprise for her during my birthday party where I showed her a video I made, and she got teary. I gave a short speech and went down on one knee with a ring. She just nodded because she was too busy crying, so technically, I am still waiting for a ‘Yes!’”
Wedding Venue
“Kishan and I wanted to have an intimate celebration, so we opted for a destination wedding. We had to consider a lot of things like food, convenience of location and, of course, cost. We decided to head to Thailand first because I loved a few places there that I saw online. The Palayana Hua Hin was the first and only place we truly fell in love it, so we ruled out all other properties. They even offered a complete buyout. Before visiting the venue, we got in touch with Sumeet who is a manager there, and he gave us a hotel tour as well as a food tasting session. The cost of hosting our nuptials there and the features of the property ticked all the boxes for us, so we booked it as soon as possible.”
Wedding Planning
“We shortlisted a few planners after extensive research and told them about our requirements. The I Do Etc. team were the most responsive and understood our needs the best, so we hired them. Like all weddings, we had a few hiccups here and there, but the team actively tried to fix them, and that made all the difference. Since it was a budget destination wedding, they took a lot of pressure off us, and we cannot thank them enough.”
Wedding Functions
Haldi and Mehndi
“We had a combined haldi ceremony which saw a gathering of about 30-40 of our immediate family and close friends. The decor was in shades of pink and orange with Rajasthani-inspired elements like elephants and kitschy umbrellas. With that, we kickstarted our wedding festivities on a rather colorful note!”
Welcome Brunch
“We wanted this brunch to be an icebreaker for both families and friends, so we had activities such as the shoe game, paper dance and tug of war. Our decor was inspired by flamingos and made use of yellow and pink umbrellas that lined the pathway that led to the lawn which had our hashtag #ShloKished in pink. There were colorful banners on the lawn along with mehndi cabanas, beer stations, a DJ booth and live stations serving delicious Thai treats. We made our grand entry on a tricycle holding smoke bombs, which was the highlight of this event.”
Sangeet
“The theme for this function was ‘Sangeet & Garba.’ The decor was a mix of Arabian Nights accents alongside with quirky Gujarati style elements like a ‘jhula’ (swing) for the couple, dandiya sticks for everyone and a customized bar. We entered with our nephews and nieces holding funny placards. What truly made our night unforgettable were the performances by our parents and loved ones.”
Pheras
“The next morning I had my ‘ghadi’ and ‘mandap pooja’ as per both Sindhi and Gujarati rituals which were followed by the pheras. The pink floral mandap set up by the seaside was the center of attraction at this event. Both Kishan and I had our own baraats. He entered in an open tuk-tuk, and I made a regal entry with my brothers and family under a floral canopy. After the ceremony, the traditional Punjabi drummers set a cheery mood and made sure that both families danced and celebrated together.”
Reception
“We wanted to keep our reception traditional, fun and interactive. All our friends entered in pairs, followed by Kishan and his best friend as a gimmick. They pretended to forget about me! The stage was rustic in its vibe. There were fairy lights used all across the lawn, long tables and a round dance floor which had our logo on it. We popped the champagne after the cake cutting, and then the speeches followed. We also played a video showcasing the highlights of the previous three days of celebrations.”
Advice For Couples
“Start early and delegate some of the responsibilities. Do your research to find the right planners and coordinators. Find a team that comes for approvals and confirmations with time in hand and not at the last minute.
On the days of the wedding, focus on enjoying yourself. Some things are bound to not go according to the plan, but the key is to stay positive and let nothing come in your way of having fun.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: The Palayana Hua Hin, Thailand
Wedding Planner: I Do Etc.
Decor: Design by Niphon
Bride’s Outfits: Aakarshan by Aanchal Jaggi (Welcome Brunch), Tia Fashion Dubai (Sangeet), Kalki Fashions India (Wedding), Camellia Dreams Dubai (Reception)
Groom’s Outfits: Aakarshan by Aanchal Jaggi (Welcome Brunch and Wedding), Ajay Arvindbhai Khatri Sons (Sangeet), Golden Arch Bespoke (Reception)
Jewellery: Juvelista Dubai (Welcome Brunch), Minerali (Wedding)
Makeup Artists: Blackygel Makeup, Jida Makeup Artist
DJ: DJ Gaurav, Dubai
Photography: Uttam Videos
