The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel, Kerala: An Indo-American Destination Wedding

When cupid strikes, nothing else matters.

This is what happened when Subina and Jeff lost their heart to each other. Subina is a Malayali from India while Jeff is an American. Yet, the difference between the two countries and cultures was not enough to keep them apart. And when they decided to spend their life together, they went for a wedding that was brimming with love, laughter, lights, and plenty of candid shots!

Click here for The Best Destination Wedding Venues in Kerala Guide
& our Destination Wedding Locations in India Guide.

The Picturesque Venue

To celebrate their cross-cultural wedding, Subina and Jeff selected a venue that was as contemporary as their love: the scenic CHESS PARK, The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel in Kerala. Nestled on a pristine beach and delimited by scintillating views, the sprawling property offered such a fusion of sights, sounds, and serenity that it turned into the perfect backdrop for a couple-shoot even before the wedding events started.

The lovebirds looked elegant in black and white combination as they stood taking in the breath-taking views and talked endlessly. We were delighted to capture the moments from near and afar as they strolled hand in hand and stole kisses before the grand ceremony.

A Carnival of Colors and Fun

The destination wedding kicked off with a vibrant Mehendi ceremony organized by the beach. The beachside location came alive with fun, laughter, and music that continued long after the sun had bid adieu to the day. It was endearing to see the bride and the groom mingle with everyone and share their happiness even as they snatched moments for themselves.

With everyone joining in the ceremonies and getting mehendi designs done on their hands, it was a sight to behold. Needless to say, we got shutter-happy and captured the moments that made the day an affair to remember.  

The Gorgeous Wedding

The wedding ceremony took place on a canvas of greenery on the lawns of Leela Kovalam. With the Bay of Bengal serving as the perfect backdrop, the wedding mandap or stage was decorated in a spectacular shade of orange and bunches of fresh flowers. The bright floral décor of marigolds on the path leading to the stage further enhanced the beauty of the place.

It was a traditional marriage ceremony laced with contemporary elements. Subina and Jeff woke up to a bright sunny day. The bride was a bundle of energy and anticipation as her bridesmaids helped her to get ready. The groom was equally charged up for the big day.

In her white and golden ensemble and stunning golden ornaments, the bride looked no less than a dream. A garland of flowers adorned her hairdo. But it was the groom who stole the show with his Indian attire. Wearing a golden kurta and a dhoti (Veshti) in white and golden, he looked every bit Indian. To complete the look, he carried the angavastram or shoulder cloth, as is the custom. He even helped his infant nephew to wear a dhoti.   

We couldn’t help but freeze the moment in our camera when the color-coordinated couple stood together before stepping out for the ceremony.

The groom made a grand entry in a decorated auto along with his nephew. His baarat danced to the beat of the music and beamed in delight. During her turn, the bride made her entry in the typical Malayali style. As per the tradition, her cousins and friends held lamps and escorted her to the stage. What followed was a short yet beautiful ceremony. As both sides looked on, the couple exchanged floral garlands and completed other traditional rituals to solemnize their wedding. Once the ceremony was over, friends and family members wished the couple.

Witnessing a wedding that marked the merger of two cultures was an experience in itself. But the real fun was clicking plenty of traditional and candid shots and capturing the joyous moments for eternity.

Celebrations of a Life Together        

The final part of this wedding story was the reception held after sundown. For the reception, the bride chose a splendid lehenga choli in red and green while the groom looked impressive in his blue suit.

Held under the open sky and in the company of sparkling lights, it was a gorgeous ambiance. But nothing could beat the dazzling smiles of the couple. As the evening progressed, dance, music, and merriment ensued. When the bride and the groom did a beautiful first under the stary sky, we made sure that those moments got captured from every angle. Finally, everyone let their hair down and had a gala time.

Meanwhile, we made sure that every bit of the rituals, celebrations, fun, and frolic was captured. Because we know, every picture tells a story!

The United Theological College, Bangalore: A Gorgeous American Indian Christan Wedding

In an era of extravagant and boisterous wedding ceremonies, Naomi and Jonathan decided to keep things intimate when it came to their wedding day. With their families, and their closest friends in attendance, the couple exchanged their vows in a heartfelt outdoor ceremony before celebrating with a fun-filled reception.

Their ceremony was held on the wedding lawn of The United Theological college. The moments shared were nothing short of remarkable. Everything flowed together so seamlessly and the moments were equally full of laughter and tears of joy. The words that were shared were powerful and filled with respect.

For their wedding decor , they chose the white canopy with a moody and romantic color palette of orange , purple and golden for the flowers and hangings. They even designed their own wedding cards. Embracing the texture and green ambience of the place along with the beautiful decor, the ceremony looked like a dream!

The Decor was the wedding planners from Bangalore: Rings & Roses.

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, Thailand: A High Energy Destination Wedding

A wedding is the beautiful beginning of a happily-ever-after story sprinkled with generous doses of love and laughter.

Nilufer and Deepit’s destination wedding was a true illustration of all this and more. The young and charming couple celebrated their marriage with an abundance of fun, dance, and memorable moments.

The beautiful couple wanted their destination wedding to take place in a dreamy setting, surrounded by their loved ones. They selected the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort in Bangkok, Thailand, as their wedding venue.

This luxury waterfront resort offered an amazing ambience for the wedding events, coupled with an impressive view of the Chao Phraya River.

The Fun-Filled Mehndi Event

A vibrant Mehndi event marked the start of the wedding celebrations for Nilufer and Deepit. The event was organized at a floral-decked venue that overlooked the riverfront and offered an incredible view.

The charming bride managed to draw all eyes towards her. Her gorgeous yellow and pink outfit and flower jewellery made her look no less than a princess. The groom looked equally striking in his earthy pink and white attire.   

The fun event included a lot of dancing and drinking. Even though the bride’s hands were covered in Mehndi, she was full of enthusiasm and posed for quite a few stunning shots.

The family members shared the excitement of the couple with equal gusto. We captured some candid shots of the couple while they shared some moments just with each other, away from everyone else.

The Lively Sangeet Ceremony

The Sangeet was all about fun dances by the couple as well as their loved ones. For this event, the bride adorned a stylish layered grey gown with intricate silver work that enhanced her beauty.

She accessorized the gown with sleek jewellery and kept her hair loose for maximum impact. To complement the look of his bride, the groom went in favour of a black tuxedo suit. As the stunning couple stood side by side, they made a picture-perfect pair.

The highlight of the evening was the ring exchange ceremony. When the groom kneeled on one knee to slip the ring on his would-be bride’s finger, she blushed with happiness. We captured this perfect moment for the couple, along with several other moments from the night.

As the night progressed, everyone took to the dance floor. The couple also showed off their dance moves along with the others. We had a lot of fun capturing the happy faces of everyone as they got into the celebratory mood and turned the Sangeet ceremony into a memorable night.

The Mesmerising Wedding Ceremony

For the wedding, an open-air mandap was set up at the venue. It looked spectacular, decked up in pink fabric and plenty of flowers in pastel shades. The Chao Phraya River served as the backdrop of the mandap.

The groom dressed in off-white for the big day of his life. He sported a bejewelled and turbaned look, which made him look all the more handsome.

The baaratis started for the wedding venue with a lot of dancing to the beats of energizing music. They boarded a cruise to sail to the wedding venue in style. The fun and dancing continued on the cruise as well.

On her part, the bride dressed up in a pink lehenga for the wedding. She completed the look by wearing stone-studded jewellery. When it was time for her to reach the mandap, she walked under a phoolon ki chaadar held by her brothers.

As part of the wedding ceremony, the couple exchanged garlands and took pheras around the fire. In keeping with the traditions, the groom put sindoor or vermillion on his bride’s forehead.

We were delighted to shoot this lovely destination wedding. The fun, frolic, and fabulous décor provided us with ample scope to capture the vibe. But what we loved shooting most was the young couple in love. The glow on their faces was a testimony of their happiness, and we made sure to take various candid shots of the couple to treasure that look forever.

Mundota Fort and Palace, Jaipur: A Marwari Destination Wedding

There's something magical about destination weddings. Tying the knot in a faraway place amidst your loved ones is something everyone cherishes for a lifetime. 

While there are many beautiful locations to select from for a destination wedding, Pranav and Vrinda chose Mundota Fort and Palace, Jaipur for saying 'I do,' and together, everyone enjoyed the one-of-a-kind experience. The wedding was planned beautifully by Ankush Dhelia from purple people. The architecturally rich city of Jaipur - one of the top wedding destinations in India -  offered Pranav and Vrinda, their families, and friends a pleasant and unforgettable wedding celebration.

After jet-setting to Jaipur, the first thing the couple did was get ready for the bridal photoshoots. Clad in a white dress, Vrinda looked like an angel. We captured the fun, excitement, and merriment in all its essence. The Mundota Fort and Jaipur's picturesque locations allowed the us to click so many candid shots of the couple. 

Click here for our Destination Wedding Locations in India Guide. Click here for our Marwari Wedding Guide.

The photoshoot started in the sunny evening until the beautiful twilight set in the background. The beautiful couple shoot with the stunning backdrops of the fort and palace turned out to be a major highlight of the evening.

The Mehndi 

Pranav and Vrinda had opted for a carnival-themed Mehndi, and they had it fully loaded with fun activities. Decorated in bright pinks and yellows, the lac bangle making, Tarot card reading, and local performances added more colour to the events. 

Marwari weddings are famous for their vibrant colours, rich heritage, and cultural traditions. At the Mehndi, the bride surprised the groom by breaking into a sudden dance with her bridesmaids. Later, the bride's sister and cousins performed a scintillating dance performance. 

A show game was planned for the couple, and it was absolutely fun not only for Pranav and Vrinda but for everyone at the event. The Mehndi celebrations concluded with a Dandiya Raas, which seemed like a fitting gift for the Gujarati bridegroom, Pranav.  

The Sangeet

Vrinda and Pranav's sangeet function was held at ITC Rajputana. The families welcomed the groom and bride with garlands and sweets. The couple exchanged rings amid the lovely backdrop of the venue. The traditional havelis of Jaipur inspired the hotel's architecture. The long corridors, courtyards, and fountains added to the romance and majesty.

Family members and cousins had a gala time entertaining the couple with their performance. The couple exchanged rings and did not shy away from showcasing their grooving skills either and danced to a super fun song.  

The Haldi 

The Haldi is one of the essential pre-wedding functions in which turmeric, sandal paste, and oil are applied to the bride and groom by the members of the family. It is considered that the mixture will bless the couple, and by applying Haldi, the bride and groom are beckoning peace and prosperity.

The mandap was elegantly decorated for the Haldi and had lotus-shaped seats. With marigolds and lilies covering the area, it was an awe-inspiring sight.

Draped in an off-white saree, Vrinda looked gorgeous as bridesmaids showered flowers on her after applying the Haldi. Wearing a yellow kurta and white pyjama, Pranav joined the celebrations as elders smeared his face with the Haldi paste.   

The Wedding

Weddings have their charm, and Vrinda and Pranav's wedding was no exception. It was vibrant, intricately planned, and full of celebration and tradition. 

The wedding venue was the famous Mundota Fort. The 14th-century fort is amidst the Aravalli mountain range on a granite hill. The breathtaking venue is spread over 10 acres and has courtyards, terraces, charming pavilions, and gardens.

Overlooking the village, several species of birds and dancing peacocks visit the Mundota Fort. No wonder people flock to the fort in Jaipur for weddings and travel, as it offers all the modern convenience in an intimate setting. 

There can never be a dull moment in a Marwari wedding. A series of rituals were held right before the groom proceeded to the wedding venue. For the baarat, Pranav was seated on a gracefully decorated elephant. They reached the venue with the family in a procession, singing and dancing.

As Pranav arrived, the bride's family welcomed him and the procession with sweets and aarti. Vrinda's mom did not forget to play the Ponkhnu, a fun tradition to welcome the groom to the wedding mandap. She performed the aarti, fed him sweets, and blessed him. She also pulled Pranav's nose in jest, a cute and playful tradition in Marwari weddings. 

Pranav was wearing an embroidered kurta and dupatta with a hue of red as the border. He also wore a vibrant pagdi and multi-layered stone chain. With many rituals and mini-functions leading to the Big Day, it was time for the bride to enter.

Vrinda, resplendent in a red lehenga, entered under the chaadar with her friends and family welcoming her. With a bright and beautiful red lehenga, intricate henna designs, traditional jewellery, and the nath, Vrinda looked like a million dollars.

When the bride and the groom arrived at the wedding mandap, it was time for the Jaimala ritual. The couple exchanged floral garlands with each other right in front of the famous palace amidst pyros and rose petal showers. 

Marwari weddings are all about delicious food, vibrant outfits, and grandeur. A perfect blend of custom beliefs and fun-filled activities, Pranav and Vrinda's wedding, too, was a palette of colours.

With many rites, rituals, and fun, Pranav and Vrinda became Husband and Wife on the full moon night, with the Mundota Fort setting the perfect backdrop. Amid the fun and frolic, we clicked enough photographs with the Mundota Fort standing tall as the milieu.