When guests checked into Avani+ Hua Hin Resort for Anique Buddhdev and Shamil Patel’s wedding, they immediately realised this was no cookie-cutter destination celebration. A personalised newspaper awaited them in their rooms. Custom welcome experiences unfolded from the moment they arrived. Every event came with its own world, mood and narrative. Over four days, the London-based couple transformed Thailand’s coastline into the backdrop for a wedding that was equal parts immersive, emotional and deeply personal. From a carnival-inspired Mehndi and a Chinese New Year-themed Sangeet to a sophisticated oceanfront ceremony and a neon Full Moon after-party, each celebration reflected a different aspect of their personalities. Together, they formed a wedding experience that felt cohesive, joyful and entirely unforgettable.
A love story bigger than a meet-cute
Anique and Shamil’s story began in 2020, at the start of the pandemic. Despite living only ten minutes apart in London, sharing similar interests, and frequenting many of the same places, their paths had never crossed. “Then, at exactly the right moment, we both swiped right on Tinder,” Anique recalls. Lockdown became the unlikely backdrop to their relationship. Armed with outdoor dates and what became their signature bottle of gin and Fever-Tree tonic, they built a relationship within the confines of an uncertain world. “We moved in together in 2021, and in 2022, our family grew again with the arrival of our dog, Miya, who quickly became the centre of our world.” A dream proposal came in March 2024 on Slovenia’s picturesque Lake Bled during a boat ride. “Anique was on one knee and the rest of the boat ride felt surreal, as if we were floating somewhere above cloud nine,” shares Shamil. While the proposal was memorable, both grooms speak emotionally about the role their families played all along. “One of the most meaningful parts of our journey has been seeing how our families evolved alongside us,” they share. “When we shared the news of our wedding, their reactions were immediate and wholehearted.” For a same-sex South Asian couple, that acceptance carried enormous significance.
Creating a celebration with heart
Following the proposal, the couple began planning with House of Shehnai. Their brief was simple. “We didn’t have a fixed destination at first — only two requirements: warm weather and no London-style rain. We explored everywhere from Tuscany and Santorini to Cyprus and Mexico, before ultimately falling in love with Hua Hin,” Anique says. The beaches, hospitality, food, and versatile event spaces at Avani+ Hua Hin made it the perfect setting. “We wanted to create an experience rather than just a series of events,” Shamil explains. “Inclusion was something we were intentional about from the beginning. We wanted every single guest — regardless of age, background, or familiarity with our culture — to feel welcomed, comfortable, and part of the celebration. One of the ways we achieved this was by designing experiences that catered to all 220 guests, from kids to elders.” Every function would have its own identity, theme, and atmosphere while remaining connected through thoughtful traditions and personalised details. Gaurav Shukla behind Fourfold Pictures brought his artistic lens to capture every small, big and emotional moment.
A sacred beginning
The celebrations commenced on February 18, 2026 with a traditional Ganesh puja and Navagraha puja. “It was the perfect spiritual grounding before the whirlwind of celebrations that followed,” shares Anique. For the occasion, the grooms wore Ganesh-themed kurtas by the House of Masaba, paired with custom embroidered juttis and malas that reflected devotion and contemporary style.
Mehndi by the shore
That evening, the beachfront transformed into a colourful carnival inspired by bustling night markets. “Our Mehndi party was a vibrant blend of fun, culture, and coastal charm. The evening opened with an electrifying performance by fire dancers, before flowing into a series of lively games hosted by our emcee, Almost Aayush. Guests jumped into a pani puri eating contest and a beer‑drinking challenge for the ladies, keeping laughter levels high throughout. We also had mini‑golf, balloon darts, and giant Jenga along with a perfume‑making bar, a caricaturist, and relaxing Thai massages.”
A live collaboration between DJ Xunny and a local tabla player followed, merging Bollywood beats with the sounds of the ocean. Fashion mirrored the vibrancy of the setting. The grooms chose colourful Manish Malhotra kurtas paired with custom juttis crafted to match the prints of their outfits.
Pride by the pool
The next day delivered one of the wedding’s most memorable events: a rainbow-filled Pride pool party. “Our Pride pool party was a full‑rainbow extravaganza in the best possible way. We made our entrance through a rainbow arch and down a rainbow‑lined pathway to Diana Ross’s iconic ‘I’m Coming Out’, accompanied by a live saxophonist. Our outfits cheekily declared: ‘Two Grooms Are Better Than One’,” reveals Shamil.
Guests arrived dressed in every colour of the rainbow, effectively transforming themselves into a living Pride flag. Rainbow floats, unicorn inflatables, colourful cocktails, and a giant ‘Love Is Love’ installation created a joyful celebration of queer identity. “One of the highlights was a friendly and hilarious — dunk tank showdown that brought out everyone’s competitive streak. It was joy, pride, and colour in its purest form,” adds Anique. But beyond the rainbow aesthetic, the event represented that it was a celebration of authenticity.
A Chinese New Year-inspired sangeet
For the Sangeet, the ballroom was transformed into a dramatic Chinese New Year-inspired wonderland complete with lanterns, traditional trees, and immersive set designs inspired by Chinese village architecture. “A bespoke fusion band kicked off the night with a medley of Bollywood classics. Then came the performances — 25 dance groups, with most guests taking part in the fun. We surprised the crowd with two special acts: ‘Maa Da Laadla’ alongside our mothers, and then a dramatic re‑imagining of ‘Dola Re Dola’, with us stepping into the roles of Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai. The DJ carried the energy into the early morning with Bollywood hits that kept the dance floor packed,” they share. Their outfits followed the theatrical mood. Custom Indo-Western sherwanis by Harsh Khullar paired with pearl sunglasses and statement jewellery.
Tropical haldi energy
The Haldi embraced a tropical theme aptly titled ‘Tropic Like It’s Hot’. Making a dramatic entrance aboard a traditional Thai longboat, the couple glided across the swimming pool before joining guests dressed in colourful tropical attire. Lush florals, fruit displays and palm-inspired décor transformed the space into a vibrant beachside paradise. Shivan & Narresh’s tropical kurtas and custom hand-painted juttis complemented the setting. By the end of the celebrations, both grooms were covered head-to-toe in haldi and blessings.
A wedding that reimagined tradition
The wedding ceremony embodied everything the couple hoped to achieve. Guests dressed exclusively in ivory and gold, creating a visually harmonious backdrop against the sea. Rather than separate baraats, the couple had a joint procession, symbolising the merging of two families rather than two opposing sides. “The wedding followed, beginning with a stunning aisle entrance by our nieces and sisters,” they share. “We crafted a personalised ceremony that blended the essence of traditional Gujarati wedding rituals with moments that held deep significance for us as a couple.”
“Next came the Pheras, where we circled the sacred fire four times, each round representing a core pillar of married life. This was followed by our personalised Saptapadi, taking seven steps together, each imbued with meanings we chose specifically for our journey ahead. Instead of the traditional mangalsutras, we exchanged mangalsutra bracelets as a modern adaptation that still carried the powerful symbolism of lifelong commitment.” Another meaningful moment came during the Akandhya Saubhagyavati ritual, traditionally performed by married women. Here, married men from their friendship circle bestowed blessings, creating a beautiful example of how rituals can evolve and maintain their emotional significance.
“After the ceremony, our guests were guided to the opposite lawn for the reception, where they were greeted by a playful ring‑for‑prosecco wall, complete with personalised bells — one for Anique and one for Shamil.” For the ceremony and reception, both grooms wore custom Seema Gujral sherwanis and handcrafted juttis.
“A moment that will stay with us forever is our Jaimala, followed by the rainbow colour shot erupting from the ocean behind us. Against the ivory‑and‑gold backdrop and the sea’s horizon, it felt utterly cinematic — like the universe paused just for that second.”
Ending on a high note
The celebrations continued with a neon-inspired Full Moon after-party featuring LED jackets charting the couple’s journey from ‘Boyfriend to Fiancé to Husband’, UV body art, glow sticks, and nostalgic pop music. Looking back, the couple’s favourite memory is not a particular outfit, performance, or décor installation. “Our parents and siblings recorded interviews describing how they felt when we came out. Their words of unconditional acceptance reminded us how lucky we are,” they reflect.
The Grooms’ Checklist
The Grooms: Anique Buddhdev and Shamil Patel
The Venue: Avani+ Hua Hin Resort
Photography & Videography: Fourfold Pictures
Wedding Planner: House Of Shehnai
Wedding Décor & Florist: Kalire by Honey & Ron
Outfits: Anita Dongre, House Of Masaba, Manish Malhotra, Kurt Geiger, Harsh Khullar, Shivan And Narresh, Seema Gujral, Bling Store, SVA Couture And Boof By Bella
Stylist: Groomeddd
Catering: Avani+ Hua Hin Resort and Flairmix
Mehndi Artist: Rani Arora Bangkok and @mehendi_by_niketagandhi
Makeup & Hair: Lakshmi Srikhandpur Makeup
Entertainment/DJ: Xunny Dey, Phrimaband, Phrimaphaa Khornrojjanachawin, Viroch Sachthep, Rishav Pandit, Pardezii, Ađăřšh Třïpäťhî, Antonio Sax, Issariya Sornnarin and Kata Organize Thailand
Invitation: Temple Design Invitation and Varda Designer Invitations
Emcee: Almost Aayush
Content creator: Mush Me Too and Smriti Agarwal
Light and sound: Thespotlight.pro
Choreographers: Rising Stars Bangkok
Transport: NV Tour Travel
