Beyond a simply beautiful destination wedding, this Phuket soiree is so much more. The stunning Bride in Inbal Dror with her mint and coral ‘maids, the newlywed kiss framed by lush florals, and well, Johnny Depp was there! The baby elephant named Johnny Depp, that is. It’s a Thailand fete planned by The Wedding Bliss Thailand that’ll have you smiling at every turn. Head to the full gallery from Brooke Merrill Photography for more!
From The Wedding Bliss Thailand…Kelly was living in New York when she got a last minute invite to join her coworker Kolby and his girlfriend Michelle for a weekend in Palm Springs. The Coachella Music festival was in town and they had an extra ticket with her name on it. Being a huge music fan, Coachella gave Kelly the perfect reasons for an impromptu weekend getaway.
The hotel in the desert left something to be desired but it did have a pool and in-between concerts was packed full with fellow festival attendees. It was here that Kelly’s friend Kolby met Randy, and the two quickly bonded over everything especially their shared love for LCD Soundsystem, Kelly’s favorite band. Kolby invited his new friend to meet back up with them later that evening to watch a show.
Kelly remembers how excited Kolby was to tell her about an awesome guy he had met that he wanted to introduce her to, named Randy. Reluctantly Kelly agreed but ended up having the best time. At the end of the weekend they exchanged numbers and from that point on they were inseparable.
They continued to see each other after their weekend at Coachella ended, each making cross-country flights from Los Angeles to New York. Their long distance romance lasted for more than a year when Kelly decided to take a position in Los Angeles to be closer to Randy.
It wasn’t long after Kelly arrived, that Randy started ring shopping, and his first stop was Harry Winston where he chose a gorgeous, cushion cut diamond engagement ring. Planning the proposal turned out to be a little trickier. Randy decided he wanted to propose during the Coachella Music festival at the tiny hotel where they first met. Kelly was in the room rushing to get ready when Randy came in. He wanted her to sit down so he could talk with her, but she was already running late and started getting annoyed that he wasn’t ready himself.
She was about to get up so she could continue getting ready when he dropped to his knee and proposed. She had no idea. Through tears of happiness Kelly managed to give Randy an answer…Yes.
Randy and Kelly decided on a destination wedding but didn’t know where they wanted it to be. Randy’s roommate Dan suggested they look into Phuket. He had just returned from a trip there and had fallen in love with the gorgeous white sand beaches, amazing food, and friendly locals. After researching Phuket on the Internet, Randy and Kelly decided it would be perfect.
Kelly knew she needed help coordinating the wedding from afar and contacted Nanya Tanthapaiboon, a luxury wedding planner of The Wedding Bliss. Nanya and her team made sure every detail was perfect, overseeing everything from the welcome dinner to the private cruise the couple planned as a surprise for their guests the day after the wedding.
Randy and Kelly wanted their wedding to be an experience for their guests, as well as reflect their love of music and beach life. They chose The Surin Phuket for their ceremony and reception location because they fell in love with the gorgeous beaches, private villas, and breathtaking views.
After making the 22-hour flight from Los Angeles to Phuket guests were greeted with a welcome dinner followed by a late night dance party. Kelly and Randy love to dance and incorporated music and or dancing into every part of their amazing wedding.
On the day of the wedding, Nanya and her team set to work laying out the ceremony location. I Am Flower of Phuket did an amazing job creating the wedding arch by filling it with orchids, coral-color roses, and other vibrant tropical. Even the chairs were decorated with the most amazing tropical garlands that hung along the backside.
Once guests arrived they were greeted with a glass of champagne and as they took their seats. Local musician Moody Paul performed an outstanding acoustic reggae session.
As the ceremony began, Randy just beamed as Kelly and her dad made their way to the sand. Kelly looked absolutely stunning in her fitted Inbal Dror wedding dress and veil and danced all the way down the aisle as Moody played a cover of Jason Mraz’s song “I’m Yours”.
Since Kolby was the one who first introduced Kelly and Randy back in Palm Springs they thought it was only fitting that he be the one to marry them. Instead of traditional vows the couple selected their favorite lyrics from songs and recited them to each other.
When Kelly and Randy were finally pronounced husband and wife they walked down the aisle and found a surprise waiting for them. A baby elephant named Johnny Depp was there to bring luck and good fortune to the newlywed couple and their guests.
Even though it had been raining on and off for the entire day the rain let up just in time for the ceremony but began again shortly after. The best part of the wedding was when the bride and groom made their grand entrance. They headed to the dance floor and their friends and family gathered around them. The rain began to come down again while they danced to their favorite song, “Dance yourself clean,” by LCD Sound System. No one cared. They turned the music up and had a dance party in the rain. It was awesome.
Later in the evening guests headed back to the beach for a private firework show, and when it was time to turn the music off Kelly and Randy handed out wireless headphones for a silent disco after party. It was amazing.
Photography: Brooke Merrill | Photography: Inbal Dror | Cinematography: Toxi Pen | Event Planning: The Wedding Bliss Thailand | Floral Design: IAMFLOWER | Ring: Harry Winston | Wedding Venue: The Surin Phuket | Light & Sound: Final Cut