Srishti and Jonan, Taj Bentota Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
Srishti and Jonan hosted their nuptials in Sri Lanka which offered stunning tropical backdrops, a convenient location for international guests and distinctive hospitality.
Jonan and Srishti’s sweet love story eventually led to a grand wedding which saw a heady mix of colors, themes, and decor in the lush environs of Sri Lanka. Here, the couple shares highlights of the celebrations that took place at Taj Bentota Resort & Spa, and special moments that were captured by WeddingSutra Favorite – Weddings by Shooting Stars.
How They Met
On Srishti’s first day at the Bank of England in the summer of 2011, she heard about a mixed-race man who could run 100m in ‘sub-10secs’. She fell in love and Jonan couldn’t ignore the confident Indian girl in high heels! The rest, they say, is history!
Proposal
Jonan surprised Srishti with a weekend getaway to Vienna where they enjoyed watching conventional and tech-based ballet performances and delved into the history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They decided that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together here.
Wedding Venues
Sri Lanka was a beautiful and convenient location for Srishti’s loved ones flying in from New Delhi, India, as well as from Europe. Talking of her wedding venue, the bride shares, “The Taj Bentota Resort and Spa was superb with lots of different spaces and venues for our different events. We had one event outside the hotel at a lovely island resort named Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa. We had friends and family attending from all the corners of the world. Some of our guests also flew in from the UK, Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, and the US.”
Wedding Functions
Mehndi
For the mehndi, the idea was to orchestrate an understated yet elegant decor theme that was resplendent with white hues and floral decor, alongside pops of jewel colors. While the bride wore a bright pink skirt and a blouse, the groom went with a vibrant yellow jacket paired with white kurta and pajamas.
Cocktail
This ‘Great British Cocktail’ evening had a very whimsical vibe. Guests had to take a short boat ride to The Centara Resort where they were greeted with a warm welcome. Lots of dancing and music were the highlights of the evening. Warm lights, a brown, white and golden color palette and the beautiful entrance that incorporated a branch arch made for a picture-perfect setting.
Haldi and Chooda Ceremony
Srishti chose a beautiful outdoor venue under the trees for this function. The couple’s two friends – Sumi and Joe performed a beautiful live rendition of one of their favorite songs. They used white and yellow for the setup decor and had a charming backdrop that incorporated the branches in the background which were adorned with flowers and other elements to add to its beauty.
Wedding
The colors for the wedding ceremony were peach, pink and white, and the mandap was adorned with flowers in these hues.. The backdrop for their pheras was the expansive blue ocean, and the ambiance was utterly romantic. The bride wanted to look every bit like an Indian bride, which is why she chose to wear a pink lehenga, while Jonan went with a beige kurta and white pajama.
Advice for Couples
“Plan in advance to have a place each night designated for an after party/any late drinkers! Don’t forget to get a good wedding planner and go visit the venues and meet key people there early on.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Taj Bentota Resort and Spa (Wedding) & Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa (Cocktail), Sri Lanka
Wedding Planner: The Bottom Line Events
Entertainment: Bhavuk Verma and Deepanshu Kanojia
Photography: Weddings by Shooting Stars
