Kirti's Destination Wedding in Amazing Phuket

My parents invited all the people who could and could not make it to the wedding in Phuket. This way, those who couldn't made their respects and blessed the couple. It was a day full of prayers, dancing and food.

Some of us went to Phuket earlier by 2 days so that we could settle in and bond. I was told by my wedding planner and sisters that the minute I get into the hotel, I clean my hands off anything to do with the wedding except to enjoy myself. My sisters and aunt got there earlier so that they could work with the wedding planner to make sure that everything was on track and see to it that the guests were well taken care of. Akshay & I had planned to do our wedding photoshoot and to spend quality time with our selective friends and cousins during the first 2 days prior to wedding functions.The photoshoot was the biggest highlight for me, was super fun and amazing and I felt like a star! We were on location at the JW Marriott Hotel premises and we modeled in the lobby, pool and beach. The sunsets were amazing. I got to wear a white bridal gown and some of the dresses I designed myself. The days went by so fast and it seemed all I did was wake up, put on my make up and outfits, rushed to the functions areas and smiled till my jaws hurt. Luckily I got to have a Thai massage on 2 of the days which relaxed me and reduced the anxiety I was having from the wedding functions and rushing around.

Day One - Fri 4th June 2010 - Mehndi & Sangeet Nite

Mehndi

The mehndi was in the afternoon and I was panicking as everything was running late. One of the Silk Air flights with all the VIP guests got delayed , my make up artist was delayed and all I could think of was how the night was going to be delayed too.

Finally, I was in the mehndi room and was amazed at how the decorators excecuted the Sunflower theme I requested for. The room was so prettily decorated, having orange, pink and gold fabric flowing all over the room ceiling with large sunflower stands around the room.. While I was getting my hands adorned by beautiful mehndi designs, everyone else also got theirs done by the mehndi ladies from Bangkok. There was a manucurist and Nail art expert in the team who became a big hit with the gals. Most were eager to finish doing their mehndi as soon as possible so that they would have enough time to get ready for the Sangeet Nite function which was only 3 hours away. I was surprised at Akshay's entrance as he danced his way into the room chewing his gum without even realising it. I was trying not to laugh too hard but couldn't contain it. I remember thinking, my hubby to be dances really well!

Sangeet

I was in love with the Sangeet lengha that my mother-n-law had gotten for me from Bombay designer Tarana Masand, who designs gorgeous collections. It went with the Tiffany, Starry Nite theme. My entrance into the ballroom was with my dad to the song called "MY GIRL" by The Temptations. I was gleeming that day and was proud to walk with my father as I'm sure he was too. Akshay & I had the Engagement Ring Ceremony which included cutting of the gorgeous Tiffany-colored cake and cupcakes that I had chosen. We then took off to our beautiful Bride and Groom seating area. The theme for the night was "Starry Nite". Everything was silvery, white, with blue and pink accents all over the room. There was flowing fabric surrounding the seating area, Tiffany colored table runners matching the white candles, flowers and furniture. The room was absolutely beautiful as I had envisioned. The Bangkok photography team's package included a photobooth where guests could take photos of themselves and their families and take home those treasured memories.

The performances for the nite were spectacular and no wonder my family is called the Music & Dance family.






We also had Vikas Bhalla from Mumbai and my cousin Ishaan from Los Angeles in the house who sang some awesome songs. The dance floor finally opened after dinner and everyone dashed to it and danced like they never danced before in their lives. All that alcohol must have helped! The night ended at 6am in the morning with many youngsters (and some parents) trickling out of the ballroom and finding their ways back to their rooms. It was time to get those few hours of beauty sleep.

Day Two - Sat 5th June 2010

Chura & Vatna (Girl's side) & Ganesh Puja (Boy's side)

I had a hard time waking up especially since I had only about 4 hours of sleep (very bad indeed). All I remember is someone coming into my room and forcing me out of bed.Thank god I had to be simply dressed and did not have to put much make up on for the morning.

Chura & Vatna function.

I've always had to do it for others and now it was my turn for my hands to be heavy with gold ornaments and later my face to be smeared with a paste that is apparently suppose to clean and scub your skin to get a glowing look after.

I felt bad for Akshay since he had to get up slightly earlier than I to do the Ganesh Puja in his parent's suite on the other end of the wing in the hotel. Judgin by the photos, we did look pretty dead tired. I managed to sleep a little in the afternoon but had to eventually wake up and dress again for the wedding function! Yes, it was one thing after another!

Break time

It rained a little in the morning but by afternoon the sun came out and some of the youngsters were lounging around the pool chairs in their bikinis and shorts, some sipping mohitos by the pool bar and few were actually swimming. I wished I had some extra time to relax outside but I guess being the bride, I had too many things to do to be ready on time for the wedding. yea I tried my best not to follow any IST (Indian Standard timing)

Wedding

It was 530pm.The photographers came into my room and eagerly started taking photos of me and my wedding lengha while getting my make up done. The Barat procession and the wedding ceremony was at the Lotus Pavilion which was on the ground floor of the hotel next to the Lotus Pond, poolside and beach right when the sun was setting. The lotus pond was the highlight of the hotel as it featured a row of big lotuses with fire coming out of it, making the entire longated pond reflect light which illuminated the entire area.

After the wedding function was over, it was time to head to the Ballroom again for the Reception.I headed back to my suite and changed to a Red Sari which was the 3rd outfit for the day.

Reception

My grand entrance with Akshay into the Ballroom began with a song we chose together: The XX Intro song. Hear it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANJb1dzNLXE

We had our first dance, poured the champaign, cut the cake and took photos with all the guests on the stage. The highlight of the reception was the Doli and the dance floor. The doli usually happens after a couple leaves from their wedding to go back home and everyone starts crying and is sad. My doli was awesome. We had no where to go, rented a car just for the sake of it (mom's idea) and drove around for about 5 minutes and came back to the hotel. Everyone pretended to cry but couldnt help but laugh. It was hilarious.

It was time to get back and join the rest on the dance floor in the ballroom. The night had JUST started and this time, everyone was back even harder than the night before. It was only 7am that the dance floor finally ended and everyone came out and rushed back into their rooms to get some precious sleep before their flight back home. Definitely a weekend to remember!