Movies and football go together like brides and grooms…or at least in this case they did. Taya was on-set filming her latest movie when her co-star (and professional football player) introduced her to Mika. Fast forward five years and this gorgeous couple decided to tie the knot in Mika’s home country of Thailand. 

Although Thailand has lots of topography to choose from, the two knew the beach was where they would wed. “Thailand has such beautiful beaches, we couldn’t resist. Also, Baba Beach Club holds special significance because it is where Mika proposed. In fact, our reception was just a few feet from exactly where he surprised me the year before,” recalls Taya. 

Family and friends (84 guests in all) were thrilled with the decision to fly to Thailand for the milestone event. “We planned five days of quality time with everyone to really soak it all in and enjoy the beautiful setting of Southern Thailand,” says the bride. 

When it came to the planning, Taya and Mika relied heavily on their wedding planners – The Wedding Bliss. “We can both agree that they did such an amazing job! We are so incredibly happy that we hired wedding planners who worked so hard to deliver exactly what we dreamt,” says Taya.

Live music and a “casual, tropical vibe” were on display for the couple’s beach nuptials. “We entered the ceremony separately to live music just before sunset. One of our closest friends married us on the sand with the gentle, crashing waves to one side and our family and friends to the other. Honestly, it was all so much more beautiful than we could have hoped and it all went by like a dream,” says Taya.

The reception encouraged their friends and family to get to know one another. “We assigned table numbers, but not seats because we wanted everyone to mingle and meet. We both come from different places and industries and our friends flew in from every corner of the world. It was so special for us to see them all in one place, laughing and dancing,” recalls the bride.

A mix of international and Thai cuisine was served beach-barbeque style with live music in the background, “kept the dinner light and casual to match the tropical surroundings,” says the couple.

The bride’s favorite memory of the day was inspired by friendly advice she received during her planning. “Married friends of ours told us to take a moment when we were standing under the arch to look away from each other and to the faces of all our friends and loved ones who had gathered around us. That moment, already swollen with love, seeing all the people smiling back at us…it was really so magical and overwhelming.”

Vendors: Photographer: Ken Tan Photo; Wedding Planner: The Wedding Bliss Thailand; Ceremony/Reception Site: Baba Beach Club; Florist: IAMFLOWER; Stationery: Miidear; Gown Designer: Amore Thailand; Groom’s Clothing Designer: Button Up; Cake: JoobJoob Bakery