Surbhi Chawla and Karan Malhotra, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Thailand

For Surbhi Chawla and Karan Malhotra, tying the knot meant more than just planning a wedding. It was about creating a space that reflected their values, their story, and the people they loved most. Hosted at the stunning JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Thailand, their wedding was a seamless confluence of elegance, emotional moments, and sun-soaked celebration. With guests flying in from across the world—from Hong Kong and India to Ireland—Thailand struck the perfect balance as it provided easy access, balmy weather, and a relaxed vibe that set the tone for a truly meaningful destination wedding.

How They Met
“We met in Dublin in 2017 during a quiet long weekend,” recalls Surbhi. “I was in my final year of med school and came across Karan’s Tinder profile—he had a cute dog, so I figured even if the date didn’t go well, I’d at least meet the dog!” she laughs. As it turned out, the dog was back in India, but the connection was instant, making the minor deception forgivable. What began as a serendipitous swipe soon evolved into a relationship built on love, partnership, and shared dreams.

The Proposal
After six years together, the proposal was highly anticipated by those around them. During a much-awaited getaway to Greece, Surbhi had a hunch that something was brewing, especially after Karan’s last-minute panic about forgetting a linen shirt in Dublin. “I thought he’d left the ring behind!” she shares. But on a private boat ride days later, Karan surprised her by walking toward her to the sound of music, dropping to one knee with a pearl ring she had admired in a shop earlier that week. “The original ring was in Dublin,” Surbhi admits, “but the one he proposed with ended up being more special; it was the one I unknowingly chose myself.”

Wedding Venue
Given their globally spread-out families and desire for an intimate beach celebration, Thailand felt like the perfect middle ground. “Europe was too cold in March, India or Hong Kong would have meant massive guest lists, and Thailand just made sense—great food, easy visas, and so much warmth,” Surbhi explains. JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa emerged as the ideal venue, exuding a serene, grounded charm. “What made it truly special,” she shares, “was the emotional connection—we realised it was also where we had our last family holiday with my mum before she passed. That sealed it.”

Wedding Planning
Intentional, inclusive, and filled with joy was the couple’s planning mantra. They consciously skipped traditions that didn’t resonate with them, like kanyadaan and bidaai, and focused instead on celebrating equality and love. There were no outfit changes, no rigid themes or dress codes, and certainly no rules around what a wedding should be.
Food was another focal point. With a shared passion for cuisine, the couple curated a menu blending Thai and Indian flavours. “My mum’s rajma and kali dal recipes were used for the wedding,” says Surbhi. “The rajma was even couriered from a specific store in Delhi to Phuket! Bonna, who’s like family and has been with us since I was 8, made sure everything tasted just right.” The result? A warm, nostalgic spread that had guests going back for seconds and thirds.

Wedding Functions
Welcome Lunch
The festivities began with a breezy welcome lunch at the beachfront Andaman Grill. Letting the natural beauty of the venue shine, the couple kept decor minimal with custom sun hats and a simple welcome sign. Guests arrived at their leisure, soaking in the relaxed atmosphere before the celebrations began in full swing.

Mehndi
Held that evening at M Beach Club, the mehendi sundowner exuded a soft vibrancy with muted colours, fairy lights, and lush florals. With a live percussionist, a glowing bar, and special speeches from close friends, the event flowed with warmth and spontaneity. “We even played the shoe game and had a surprise ring exchange,” Surbhi smiles. “And though we prepped for rain, it only arrived right after dinner—just perfect!”

Haldi
A traditional haldi took place under swaying palm trees, featuring classic Indian blooms and an unconventional twist: Vicco turmeric cream instead of paste. “It gave us all the colour, none of the mess!” Surbhi laughs. The celebration ended with raucous laughter—and Karan’s kurta being torn in true haldi tradition.

Wedding and Reception
The wedding ceremony unfolded along the beach under a canopy of pale pinks and soft greens, framed by the sea. Surbhi walked in beneath a chadar held by her cousins and Bonna, a poignant moment of love and sisterhood. “My wedding dupatta was from one of my mum’s old suits, something I packed last minute, and it ended up on my head during the pheras. It felt like she was with me,” she shares. At the mandap entrance stood a heartfelt photo wall in her mother’s memory, a surprise placed thoughtfully by their planners.
The reception followed immediately indoors with an elevated, minimalist aesthetic. Champagne sabrage by Karan set the celebratory tone, followed by moving speeches, two beautifully choreographed family dances, and a deeply personal poem read by Surbhi’s father, penned in her late mother’s handwriting, discovered just months before the wedding.

Advice For Couples
Surbhi’s advice is equal parts practical and heartfelt: “Don’t feel pressured by tradition. Celebrate your love on your terms. Hire a great planning team—they truly make the difference. And plan smart—mood boards helped me finalise all my outfits in two days in India. Lastly, embrace the imperfections. Things will go wrong, and that’s okay. What matters is being present and soaking in every moment—it all goes by in a flash.”

The Wedding Makers
Venue: JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Thailand
Wedding Planner: Event Tale
Décor: HuahinWedding
Groom’s Outfits: Mohanlal Sons (Mehndi, Haldi), Study by Janak (Wedding)
Groom’s Shoes: Dune (Mehndi), Manyavar (Haldi)
Bride’s Outfits: Anita Dongre (Mehndi), Mukul Arora (Wedding)
Bride’s Shoes: Jeffery Campbell (Mehndi, Haldi), Anaar Shoes (Wedding)
Jewellery: Sanaco Jewelry (Mehndi, Wedding), Malabar Gold and Diamonds (Wedding)
Makeup: Lakshmi Srikhandpur
Hairstyling: Lynn
Varmala & Phoolon Ki Chaadar: HuahinWedding
DJ: Sameer Naik
Wedding Invitations and Stationery: Over Caffeinated Design
Photography: 35mmcandids

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