Nestled in a beautiful, secluded bay, Anisha and Naj chose the stunning V Villas wedding venue as the place to bind their love forevermore. With panoramic views of Ao Yon Bay on Phuket's southern tip, nature served as the perfect canvas to their special day, showcasing a breathtaking blend of oceanic and tropical beauty with modern elegance. The ceremony exuded romance, with every detail thoughtfully curated to complement the surrounding scenery. Anisha, radiant in her romantic Vivienne Westwood gown and delicate veil, embodied grace as she walked down the aisle, her beauty echoing the natural elegance of the landscape. For the reception, the atmosphere transformed into a floral paradise, with the ceiling adorned with a stunning canopy of suspended hydrangeas, gypsophila, and roses, evoking a sense of dream-like enchantment amongst guests. Curated by our talented member, wedding planner The Wedding Bliss Thailand, and photographed by visionary Alice Mahran.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
Fate played its hand when we met through mutual friends at a group dinner in Melbourne. Having both relocated from London just weeks apart, our paths had never crossed back home, even though we were both at dental school in the same city. It was this meeting that set us on a beautiful journey together, marking the beginning of our forever.
The Proposal
Surprising me isn’t an easy feat, and I had long suspected that the proposal might come during one of our overseas trips. Naj however had something truly special planned. The day after we returned from Mexico, I came home expecting a quiet Monday evening. Instead, I opened our front door to find our home transformed with flowers, and in the center of it all, Naj proposed. Our beloved Australian rescue cat also had a part to play in it as she wore a collar that read, “Will you be with us forever?” The night continued with Naj preparing an extraordinary Thai meal, one of our favorites, turning a simple evening into one of the most beautiful and sentimental nights of our lives in our home.
The Engagement Ring
Naj chose a design that beautifully celebrated our Indian heritage with timeless elegance. Given my preference for gold jewelry, the band is crafted in gold, featuring a stunning oval cut.
Our Welcome Party
Location
The welcome party took place on the beachfront, overlooking the bay. This venue was intentionally selected to contrast with the wedding day. It was a chance finding, but it was perfect for us.
Décor & Ambience
The vision was a coastal dream, and looking back, it fulfilled the brief perfectly. The color palette featured serene blues, milky whites, and soft beiges. For the first event, we aimed for a laid back, tropical style that accentuated the nature surrounding it. For the décor, we chose airy white organic drapes, paired with low rattan wood tables, white orchids, and blue hydrangeas surrounded by candlelight. Our stationery added a playful touch, featuring shell-shaped designs that elevated the event and brought the coastal theme to life.
Our Style
I opted for a floor-length dress by Rotate Birger Christensen, which was light and airy, making it ideal for the beach setting. The perfectly imperfect floral ruching added texture, while the golden beige tones worked beautifully with my floral earrings and gold crystal Prada heels. Naj complemented the look in a tailored linen suit, paired with dark brown loafers.
Our Wedding
The Vision
From the start we knew we wanted to create an unforgettable experience for our guests, one that authentically reflected who we are. We explored numerous venues across Europe and Asia before selecting Thailand. We both have mutual adoration for the country and culture having visited many times, and it plays an important part of our relationship together. I've always had a sense of calm and pure love for ocean views and this narrowed down our venue search. I envisioned a setting where the natural beauty would be the focal point, which led to us coming across V Villas Phuket and their panoramic rooftop overlooking the ocean. We knew that with hosting multiple events, we could have the opportunity to bring our creative visions and personalities to life with bespoke decorative briefs for each event. We feel incredibly fortunate to have celebrated with our family and friends in such a remarkable setting.
Our Team of Vendors
For our wedding, we had a clear vision in mind – one that reflected our personality and style. We were able to handpick each vendor in detail to ensure everything aligned perfectly. Holding our wedding in Thailand was an exciting decision, but it also presented its challenges. We were in constant communication with our wedding planner, who is Phuket-based, which helped with the local logistics and resources. Many of the vendors we fell in love with were based overseas, which meant a few had to travel to be a part of our special day. Despite this, we were incredibly fortunate to assemble the best team of vendors, each of whom contributed to making our day unforgettable.
The Location
V Villas is on a private hilltop overlooking Ao Yon Bay on the southern tip of Phuket. It is such a beautiful, secluded spot on the island, and we wanted to share this with our family and friends. It has that wow factor as soon as you arrive and are escorted in a buggy up to the venue. Another key reason we chose this venue was the freedom it offered to curate every detail of our day. Unlike other venues with obligatory packages, we had complete creative control to design our wedding exactly as we dreamed.
The Ceremony
I envisioned a setting where the natural beauty would be the canvas. The ceremony took place on a stunning rooftop, offering 360-degree views, just before sunset. The wooden flooring was covered in white carpet, and the space was adorned with an abundance of green and white flowers, seamlessly integrating with the backdrop. The result was a perfect blend of romantic and modern elegance that showcased the breathtaking scenery, surpassing all my dreams. As the ever-suave Mike Champion started to sing Adorn by Miguel, I walked out, and for the first time, I was truly speechless. This was our wedding day, and we were about to get married. We had our close friend officiate the ceremony, which provided a deeper connection between each other and our guests.
The Reception
We wanted the dining room to embody all senses. Visually, the ceiling was transformed with a canopy of hanging hydrangeas, gypsophilas, and roses, evoking the elegance of an ethereal floral space. There were scents of rose, tuberose and baies by Dipitqiue for the table. We collaborated closely with the head chef to create a five-course menu featuring a fusion of Thai and Italian cuisine, a reflection of our shared passion for food. A refreshing lemon sorbet palate cleanser offered a perfect balance to the bold and spicy flavors that followed. For dessert, we presented our own take on mango sticky rice, with an immersive twist as the chef crafted it in front of our guests. The evening transitioned seamlessly into the after-party, complete with live music from our band and a surprise fireworks display.
The Special Touches
I love being creative, and this is where I spent countless hours planning the details of our wedding. There are too many to name, but from the customized ice cubes with our initials to the chili condiment plate to the late-night Beyond burgers featuring our personalized burger bar logo, all these touches meant something special to us. Yet, the most heartfelt touch came from my husband, who arranged a video message from my family who couldn’t attend. This was played during the evening, and it meant the world to me.
Our Favorite Moment
A couple of days after the wedding, we hosted a pool party at a private estate on Phuket’s west coast, with sweeping views of the sea. It was the perfect way for our guests to relax and unwind after the celebrations. At one moment, everyone jumped into the pool, splashing and laughing, the saxophonist playing, and it was that feeling of immeasurable happiness with the afternoon tropical sun. It was one of those rare, blissful memories, a reminder of how fortunate we are to have so much love surrounding us. It truly felt like the perfect finale to our celebration.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
The first dress I tried on at the Vivienne Westwood store in London ended up being the one I chose for our wedding. I loved how the fabric caught the light and emphasized the gown's romantic silhouette. It felt extra special, as the visit happened to fall on my birthday. I paired the dress with an embroidered floral Vivienne Westwood veil, ironically named Absence of Roses, and ivory Jimmy Choo heels, both personalized with our wedding date. I wore a gold Cartier bracelet and earrings, which were elegantly simple and understated, allowing the dress and veil to take center stage. For the reception, I changed into an open-back silk gown by Australian designer Michael Lo Sordo, along with crystal-embellished Jimmy Choo.
The Groom Looks
For the ceremony, Naj opted for a bespoke black tuxedo from Saville Row, perfectly finished with a Tom Ford bow tie. Later in the evening, he transitioned into an ivory jacket, creating a stunning contrast that beautifully complemented both of our looks.
Our Bridesmaid’s & Groomen's Looks
The bridesmaids wore elegant green silk dresses in styles they personally selected, which perfectly complemented them and the floral color palette. The groomsmen each wore tuxedos, adding their own touches to showcase their individual personalities. They were each gifted vintage Casio watches, which they also wore on the day.
Our Advice
For The Planning Process
Start with a clear vision, create a mood board, and trust your instincts. In the end, you'll often find yourself returning to that initial idea you fell in love with for a reason. Choose a wedding planner whose style aligns with your vision. On the day itself, they will be the team responsible for ensuring everything flows smoothly, so it’s important to feel confident and at ease with them.
For On The Day
If your wedding day morning timeline allows, try to include an activity that helps you feel grounded and relaxed. The day is a wave of emotions, so starting it where you can switch off for a short time is the perfect way to set the tone. We spent the morning together, alongside our bridal party, with a private yoga and sound bath session.
For Post-Wedding
For a destination wedding, many of your guests will have traveled a long way to celebrate with you. These are your favorite people, so make the most of it. Spend a few extra days enjoying a mini holiday together. For us, this meant visiting some of our favorite restaurants on the island and spending quality time together. Afterward, we were able to enjoy a few days alone, which was the perfect balance.
Vendors
Photography: Alice Mahran , Proudrad
Videography: Soda Films
Wedding Planner: The Wedding Bliss Thailand
Venue: V Villas Phuket, The Cove Phuket
Florist: IAMFLOWER
Stationery: Ten Story
Music: Mike Champion
Hair: Phasaraporn Wiangtai
Makeup: Tina Derkse
Style
Bridal Dress & Veil: Vivienne Westwood
Reception Dress: Michael Lo Sordo
Welcome Party Dress: Rotate
Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Bridal Jewelry: Cartier
Bride Wedding Perfume: Byredo
Groom Wedding Perfume: Tom Ford
