When the first whiff of sea breeze hits you, you know that your vacation has officially begun. That’s exactly what happened when I landed in Phuket in early November. Thailand has always been one of the favourite Asian destinations for Indian travellers. The country wins you over with its tropical beaches, ornate temples, flavourful food and shopping hubs. But on my recent trip to “The Land of Smiles”, I discovered another reason to love it – weddings!
Bachpan se hi na, mujhe shaadi karne karwane ka bada shauk hai, by God! And with 2023 almost here, I can guarantee that Phuket is going to be the go-to wedding destination for us desis. The distance, easy flight connectivity, and visa on arrival already make Thailand a favourite of mine like many others. And if you’re a bride-to-be or know someone who’s getting married in 2023, *newsflash* Phuket has arrived!
Whether you’re planning a small wedding with just family or a big fat affair with friends and whatnot, read on to find out just where to book the destination wedding of your dreams…
For A Small Wedding
Located just 15 minutes from the airport and 300m from the beautiful Mai Khao Beach, Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket has one of the best settings and some of the most extensive facilities on the island. What makes it perfect for a small ceremony is how spacious the property is – whether it’s the 100 suites and villas or the swimming pools, the kids’ club (AvaniKids) or the gym (AvaniFit).
Avani+ Mai Khao sets the stage for memorable weddings with a choice of magical settings. From a petal-showered lawn wedding to a golden hour beach wedding, you can make your special day as lavish or intimate as you wish. Did I mention the huge private pool villas and romantic dining settings that are perfect for newly married or honeymooning couples?
And the seven restaurants one of which is Tiffin by La Sala? It’s the first and finest authentic Indian dining venue in Mai Khao, with chef Sunil from Maharashtra serving up authentic recipes. His food feels like a home away from home. Opposite Avani+ Mai Khao is Turtle Village with shopping hubs, an array of restaurants, a Pharmacy and a 7-Eleven right across the road! This place is what you call ‘whole in one’.
Price of Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites & Villas: Rs 13,794 upwards; book here
For A Big Wedding
Three hundred and twenty-seven rooms and suites, four swimming pools + a fun water park, five dining venues, a gym, a spa, a pillarless ballroom, and a host of other facilities define the big-ness of Avani+ Khao Lak Resort. Not to mention its own stretch of white-sand beach by the Andaman Sea coastline. This property, 60-90 minutes from Phuket International Airport, is what you call big fat wedding goals with lush greenery and blues waters at every sight.
Less than a year old and it’s already buzzing with weddings, especially Indian. There’s nothing better than here if your guest list includes friends and families with lots of kids! In addition to the water park, they have a two-storey AvaniKids club which is divided into three zones: one for 1–4-year-olds, one for 5–12-year-olds, and one for teens. Each zone has lots of fun things to do like playgrounds, board games and a PlayStation corner – all fully supervised – so you can have the most chill wedding experience ever (and so can the chillar party)!
Weddings are all about love, memories and shared happiness, but they also require a lot of logistical fine-tuning. This exotic, tropical locale offers a plethora of venues for hosting your special day. From a 350-seater ballroom to the swoon-worthy beach, through all the many rituals and ceremonies leading up to your big day, all details are taken care of so you can enjoy the start of your happily ever after with your loved ones. What’s more? A dedicated in-house wedding specialist threads all the pieces together into a love story straight out of a fairy tale.
Price of Avani+ Khao Lak Resort: Rs 21,342 upwards; book here
Convinced? Let Phuket, welcome the new chapter of your life with open arms. And don’t forget to share all these wedding deets and excitement to help a bride or groom-to-be out! Because every happily ever after deserves a memorable beginning.
Images: writer, Avani
