Gautami Konteti and Parth Deshmukh, Taj Bekal Resort and Spa, Kerala
Blending in seamlessly with nature, this couple’s wedding mandap resembled a houseboat with its cane weaves, rattan elements and coconut shell decor.
Gautami Konteti and Parth Deshmukh had a clear vision in mind as they planned their destination wedding in Kerala – it had to be warm and fun while reflecting their Telugu and Maharashtrian roots. Making their vision come to life was WeddingSutra Favorite – To The Aisle who with their insights came up with unique events that maximised guest engagement and paved the way for a series of picture-perfect celebrations hosted at Taj Bekal Resort and Spa, Kerala.
How They Met
Their love story began in a quintessentially Indian way: Gautami and Parth ran into each other outside their CLAT exam centre, where their dads introduced them. From a quick ‘Hey’ to a first date on the first Saturday of law school, their journey spanned nearly a decade.
The Proposal
Parth popped the question the day he graduated from law school in the U.S., flying in their families, including his 90-year-old grandfather, and Gautami’s best friend from Mumbai. Safe to say, Gautami was pleasantly surprised as she walked into their waterfront Airbnb, where everyone held ‘Marry Me’ balloons – a moment that looked straight out of a dream.
Wedding Venue
Set by the beach, Taj Bekal Resort and Spa in Kerala played host to the couple’s nuptials. Brimming with elegance and houseboat-style architecture, the venue felt like the perfect setting for the series of warm and intimate celebrations. With its in-house lagoons and sprawling lawns by the bay, finding the right spot for each wedding celebration was a breeze.
Wedding Planning
Prerika Puri from team To The Aisle shares, “The couple wanted their union to be an intimate one while incorporating local flavors into their celebration. Taking a cue from their vision we orchestrated a series of events that honored their Maharashtrian and Telugu roots while allowing the natural beauty of the venue to shine through! With almost 200 people in attendance, the union allowed everyone to mingle freely and the events were planned for maximum guest engagement. From a sunset houseboat cocktail hour with 100 close friends and family, complete with a live singer, to a hilarious roast where Parth and Gautami’s best friends took the stage, the wedding was filled with unique touches.”
Wedding Functions
Beerfest and Roast
Being jokesters at heart, the couple kicked off their wedding celebrations with a ‘Beerfest’ and a light-hearted roast evening! The Beerfest indulged the guests’ adventurous sides with a cricket match, zip-lining, archery and a kayaking race inspired by Vallam Kalli (one of Kerala’s iconic boat races). On the other hand, the roast evening had everyone in splits as the couple’s besties took to the stage to share hilarious anecdotes about the couple. The after-party consisted of a silent disco by the beach where everyone gorged on steaming maggi and chicken lollipop!
Sangeet
Sporting a vast dancefloor accentuated with a colorful canopy, the sangeet had everyone grooving till the late hours of the night. The couple’s wedding hashtag backed the tropical-printed dancefloor where the duo had a gala time grooving to their favorite tunes!
Haldi
The Haldi ceremony honored Parth’s Maharashtrian roots as the bride wore a Maharashtrian nath and the decor swathed in mustard yellow and white hues. Hosted under a gazebo surrounded by lotus ponds, the setup looked ethereal under the kerala sunshine.
Wedding
Prerika shares, “Their mandap, crafted to resemble a houseboat with cane weaves and handwoven ‘chatai’ by local artisans, floated gracefully against a backdrop of backwaters, with coconut shell floral arrangements adding a rustic, regional touch.” The wedding ceremony was preceded by heartfelt vows read by the couple to each other. Rattan-backed chairs, white blooms, and local antique furnishings completed the look of the ceremony.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Taj Bekal Resort and Spa, Kerala
Wedding Planner: To The Aisle
Groom’s Outfits: Millionaire (Roast and Wedding), Manyavar (Haldi)
Bride’s Outfits: Amit Aggarwal (Roast), Manish Malhotra (Sangeet), Jayanti Reddy (Wedding)
Photography: The Yellow Draft
