Move over wedding weekend — these gorgeous newlyweds kept the festivities flowing for three weeks! Akiko and Julian’s incredible destination wedding (from Germany, no less) began with a sun-blessed beach ceremony at Phuket’s Cape Panwa Hotel. The elegant, colonial-style retreat was a sentimental choice for the beautiful bride, who spent many happy childhood holidays there with her family.
As sunset hues washed over the Andaman Sea, the couple enjoyed a magical photo shoot before joining their 62 guests for an oceanfront reception under the stars. Grilled seafood and fresh Pad Thai were menu favourites as evening segued into a night filled with laughter, dancing and emotion-filled speeches. At midnight, an impromptu nod to Julian’s heritage also celebrated the gorgeous location. “On that same day it was Carnival in Germany,” the couple remembers. “So, at midnight, we danced a ‘polonaise’ (a traditional European ceremonial dance) right into the warm ocean.”
As a wedding day it was sublime, but Akiko and Julian had plenty more in store. The newly minted couple hosted several daytrips (including a snorkelling yacht trip) before moving on to Khao Lak with 25 cherished guests, noting “we loved the fact that the celebration with our loved ones not only lasted a day but rather several days or even weeks.” Then, for a fitting finale. “After two weeks, we took a private boat to one of Thailand’s most beautiful hideaways in the Andaman Sea, Ko Yao Noi, where we honeymooned for a week at the Cape Kudu Hotel.” So romantic.
Organising a Thai celebration from Germany is pretty impressive, but the couple credit forward planning and placing their trust in a wedding planner who “organized it perfectly for us and lip-read every detail of our wishes” as key to a stress-free experience. Compliments are still pouring in from guests, especially about the beach location. “We had perfect weather combined with beautiful decorations and the best wedding staff, musicians, wedding celebrant and guests you could have,” say the couple, who describe their wedding as “an unforgettable adventure.”
The Details:
Wedding planner: Krittaya (Aom) Bootlakorn // Venue: Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket // Photography: Aht Yomyai Photography // Wedding dress: Eva Scholz, Cologne Germany // Honeymoon: Cape Kudu Hotel on Ko Yao Noi
