Shriya Barkol and Vikrant Rao, So Sofitel Hua Hin, Thailand
Packing the right amount of glamour and serenity, this couple’s beachside destination wedding in Thailand flaunted distinct themes and vibrant hues.
Striking the perfect balance between traditional and contemporary designs, Shriya Barkol and Vikrant Rao’s destination wedding was fuelled with laughter, spontaneity and a myriad of hues. Hosted at the stunning So Sofitel Hua Hin, the couple along with their loved ones had a gala time as they explored their creativity and reveled to the fullest surrounded by nature’s bounties.
How They Met
Shriya shares, “We have known each other for almost 23 years! He was my sister’s best friend in school and used to stop by my house to play. He was always very fond of me. We grew up together and became good friends. A few years ago we were on a holiday in Goa where he expressed his feelings to me. There was no going back from there as we started dating!”
Wedding Venue
Shriya shares, “Being an event planner is a passion project of mine. To begin with, we made a list that contained 20-25 criteria and we decided to explore hotels in Thailand. We carefully looked into every single aspect right from the time constraints, the environment, the cuisine style, the hospitality etc. The wedding was an intimate one and I wanted the property to be in sync with the vibe of the celebrations. What I loved about SO Sofitel Hua Hin were the massive rooms, their dedicated Indian chef who rustled up Jain food for my mom and lastly, their variety of venues. Especially their beach-facing venues that were stunning. They customized their offerings as per our needs and were so accommodating at every step. It was truly a boutique experience for us.”
Wedding Planning
Having dabbled in wedding planning herself over the years, Shriya had complete clarity when it came to planning the wedding. She shares, “We were keen on having a close-knit wedding and wanted to ensure that all our guests were at complete comfort. This included serving them Indian cuisine and looking into the logistics of having so many people fly into Thailand. Thankfully, my planner friends stepped in and took charge when everything got too overwhelming!”
Weddings Functions
Sangeet and Cocktail
The sangeet also doubled up as a cocktail celebration. Coincidentally this event fell on the 14th of February. Shriya shares, “Given that it was Valentine’s Day, we decided to go for a glamorous and romantic theme. The stage was level with the audience and both our families had us cheering as they performed on stage. Fairy lights lit up the entire venue along with heart-shaped installations and a monochrome dancefloor fit seamlessly into the design story.”
Pool Party
Shriya shares, “When in Thailand, how can one miss out on a sunny tropical-themed pool party? Bright pink flamingo floaters, pastel drapes and cooling cocktails ensured everyone had a gala time under the sun. Plus, the Hua Hin beachside just made things sweeter with its stunning beauty.”
Mehndi
Hosted under the stars, the mehndi night followed a glitzy Arabian Night theme which lived up to its name with moody decor and a sumptuous spread of Arabic cuisine. Shriya shares, “The chefs at the venue left no stone unturned as they created delicious Arabic cuisine. The effect was enhanced with matching Arabic-themed decor that included cutwork separators, lanterns and flowy drapes.”
Haldi
Decorated with cheery yellow marigolds that contrasted beautifully with the surrounding lush greenery. Seated inside brass urlis that were surrounded by sunflowers , the couple had a fun time with their loved ones who playfully slathered them with haldi.
Wedding
Shriya shares, “Vikrant is a Mangalorean while I’m a mix of Telugu and Sindhi. Hence, the wedding was hosted according to a mixture of Mangalorean and Telugu traditions. We didn’t quite land on a particular theme for the wedding but went for a pastel color palette which stood out against the pastel sky. Understandably, the dress code was also pastel.”
Reception
An open-air celebration, the reception welcomed guests with a rustic gold entryway with triangular arches lit up by yellow fairy lights. Shriya shares, “We wanted the reception event to be absolutely glam! Everyone turned up in their gowns and tuxedos which went beautifully with the decor theme. We performed our first dance as husband and wife to much cheer. Later, fire performers left everyone dazzled with their incredible tricks.”
Advice For Couples
Shriya shares, “Don’t be boggled about what’s not working out. Keep yourself grounded and look at the positives. I would definitely recommend having a planner on board along with a choreographer. Enjoy the process and try not to micro-manage. Everything may not be perfect but accept that.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: So Sofitel Hua Hin, Thailand
Wedding Planner: The Wedding Works
Groom’s Outfits: Neha Shankar
Bride’s Outfits: Neha Shankar
Photography: Andaman Photowork
