For Resham Advani and Shivraj Singh, creating that “wow” factor for their walk down the aisle in October 2025 was never about scale or spectacle. It was, instead, rooted in “authentic intention and not external pressure. We approached our wedding thoughtfully, making choices that felt personal and meaningful to us and our families. All our decisions were guided by our values, our personalities, and the kind of experience we wanted to create for ourselves and our loved ones,” the duo share. Every minuscule and mammoth detail was designed to feel personal. From the choice of Malta as a destination and the way each event unfolded to the personalised welcome hampers and seamless communication through dedicated guest channels, every touchpoint was designed with care. What emerged was a three-day destination affair where the impact was not in grand gestures, but in the precision of planning.
The journey
Resham, a Spain-born Sindhi and now a technology consultant in London, met Shivraj, a business consultant from Berkshire, in 2018 through a mutual connection at work. On paper, their worlds were different: island life in Gran Canaria versus city life in Slough, Sindhi roots versus Punjabi heritage. In principle, they were aligned on the things that mattered most: “We value family above all else, cherish good food, and shared the same outlook on loyalty and love.” The proposal came in November 2021, in the mountains of Gran Canaria, a place Resham had once described as her place of peace to Shivraj. He set it up himself with fairy lights and candles, and she answered immediately: “Of course, man.” The years that followed were shaped by life milestones, including building their home and navigating the sudden loss of Resham’s father and Shivraj’s grandmother. Original wedding plans faded. When Resham felt ready again, in late 2024, she approached planning not from obligation but from clarity: “While the wedding would look different without my dad physically there, I knew this was what he would have wanted for us.”
Planning with purpose
Resham and Shivraj didn’t want to rush the planning process. “The lead time became a gift,” they explain. Choosing planner Radhika Nathwani of Radhika & You came down to their first conversation. Radhika conducted extensive research across several European countries before the couple landed on Malta. “At no point did our vision feel compromised,” Resham recalls. “Even when certain locations couldn’t offer everything we were looking for, Radhika continued searching.” When they finally stood in the al fresco amphitheatre at the Corinthia St George’s Bay, she felt a full-circle moment. “As a newly engaged woman in 2021, I had always imagined an outdoor amphitheatre setting, then quietly let go of the idea. Malta brought it back.” Radhika reflects, “The heart of the vision was to create something that felt unmistakably theirs.”
Planning a multi-day wedding came with its challenges, particularly an uncertain weather forecast days before the ceremony. “Rather than reacting prematurely and compromising the bohemian setting, we strategically adapted the timeline to protect the original vision,” says Radhika. “Our strong supplier relationships allowed us to adjust logistics swiftly and collaboratively. The smooth execution of that change reflects our proactive, hands-on and deeply attentive approach.”
A Mediterranean welcome
The celebrations began on October 17 with a welcome dinner. It was meant to be a simple gathering, but became a lively evening filled with connection and celebration. “The aesthetic was relaxed and Mediterranean. The venue carried the design: woven rattan pendant lights, olive-green accents and soft architectural curves. The colour palette drew from the Mediterranean landscape: olive greens, coastal blues, terracotta tones. We had long communal tables so everyone could mingle. It felt like an elevated family gathering rather than a formal event.”
The joyful haldi
Held in a rustic Maltese piazza, the haldi next morning was a vibrant departure from the previous evening’s muted palette. Shades of saffron, lemon and marigold came alive against honey-toned stone architecture. “We planned to wear yellow, as tradition dictates. But then I realised the décor was yellow, the guests would be in yellow, and we might just disappear.” The couple chose hot pink outfits, with the groom-to-be in an Agra Jain mirror work kurta via Estie Couture, while Resham chose a handwoven rani pink satin sari by Ekaya, accessorised with jhumkas and handpieces from Reyas Collection. Guests indulged in playful details including a caricaturist, but it was an unexpected rain shower that defined the occasion. “Instead of retreating, everyone began dancing in it. An outdoor party erupted.”
The electric sangeet and jaggo
The evening brought a shift in energy. Two halls combined into one expansive space draped in jewel tones. The Mughal-inspired staging provided a theatrical backdrop for performances. “While choreographed dances were newer for Shivraj’s side of the family, they embraced it wholeheartedly,” Resham says.
The ReShiv Marketplace was the evening’s signature touch. “It was an interactive station where our guests could personalise their own bags with mirrors, bangles, rings, and dupattas. It encouraged people to participate in their own way. Seven global food counters, spanning Indian, Italian, American, and Chinese cuisines, kept the momentum high,” adds Radhika.
The emotional ceremony
On 19th October, the ceremony took place in the open-air amphitheatre overlooking the sea, the same setting that Resham had dreamed of years before it finally came to life. “The décor leaned into earthy neutrals, with pampas grass, soft drapery, and minimal floral accents allowing the natural surroundings to take centre stage.”
Walking down the aisle with her brother was one of the most emotional moments of the day. “I genuinely felt my dad’s presence with us,” she shares. “When I saw Shivraj crying, it made the moment even more powerful.” From heartfelt rituals to light-hearted moments like the playful mangal sutra exchange and the traditional shoe-stealing, the ceremony balanced emotion with joy.
The wedding wardrobe
For Resham, her wedding lehenga carried profound meaning. “When we got engaged, my dad lovingly insisted that ‘For my daughter, the best of the best. You will wear Sabyasachi.’ I went on to brush it off. But after he passed away, we were going through his belongings and found a small pot labelled: ‘Resh’s wedding pot’. That moment changed everything. When I began planning, I decided to try on a Sabyasachi lehenga. At Aashni & Co I tried one piece and instantly teared up. It didn’t feel like couture, but felt like being wrapped up in Papa’s love. Choosing Sabyasachi became my way of honouring him and feeling his presence on my big day.”
For jewellery, she contrasted with sage and jade tones with pieces from Red Dot Jewels. Her choora by Glimour Jewellery was designed to be worn with Western outfits. The groom wore an ivory Sawan Gandhi sherwani from Estie Couture and his biscuit-toned turban and mother-of-pearl kalgi from Red Dot Jewels.
The luminous reception
The evening reception transitioned into a refined, white-and-gold ballroom setting. Crystal chandeliers, cascading drapery and candlelit tables created a timeless aesthetic. Personal touches, such as table names inspired by the couple’s favourite dishes and handwritten notes, added warmth to the grandeur. The night culminated in a Diwali fireworks display as a symbolic gesture of gratitude for their guests. “It was the perfect crescendo,” they conclude.
The Bride’s Checklist
The Bride: Resham Advani
The Groom: Shivraj Singh
The Photographer: Rahul Khona
The Videographer: The Wedding Filmmakers
The Venues: Corinthia St George’s Bay, Malta
Wedding Planner: Radhika & You
Wedding Décor: Events by Golden Edge
Florist : Badokka Flowers
Bride’s Outfits: Ankita Bajaj Label, Ekaya Banaras, Anita Dongre via Estie Couture, Sabyasachi via Aashni and Co, Gopal Kanda
Bride’s Jewellery: ASOS, M&S, Reyas Collection, Aartist Jewellery, Red Dot Jewels, Glimour Jewellery, Gopal Kanda
Groom’s Outfits: Agra Jain via Estie Couture, Asuka via Estie Couture, Sawan Gandhi via Estie Couture, Mochee London
Bride’s Accessories: Carvela
Mehndi Artist: Henna by Oishi
Makeup & Hair: Gopal Kanda, Harneet Bhogal
Priest: Sundar Madhava Das
Entertainment: BG Malta Fireworks Display, Mario Saxophonist, Jodi & Ian Acoustic Duo, Izzy’s Caricatures, Booth360_mt, Toscana Punjabi Dhol Beats, DJ Vix, 242 Group
