Jeannie & Kelvin’s whimsical destination wedding in Thailand, at the stunning Rosewood Phuket Beach Resort felt like a scene out of a movie! After attending a friend’s destination wedding in Bali, the couple decided to have their special day abroad.

“We loved the idea of how guests could gather overseas for a celebration while making a trip out of it. It’s always nice to travel post-COVID and immerse yourself in another culture,” Jeannie says.

Phuket was the perfect destination in Southeast Asia, especially being just a short flight from Hong Kong, where most of their guests would be traveling from. The couple also fell in love with its heavenly sunsets, great hospitality and exquisite cuisine.

Gathering at the Rosewood Phuket Beach Resort with their closest friends and family, Jeannie and Kelvin exchanged vows on the resort’s garden lawn, overlooking the beach at Emerald Bay. 

“We wanted a garden lawn wedding by the beach, so this venue was perfect. The garden lawn was very long and created the extra drama we wanted during the ceremony walk-in. Our reception dinner, champagne tower, and first dance also took place on the garden lawn. The lighting at night really transformed the entire mood,” the couple says. 

The pair also loved the venue’s welcome area courtyard, with its timeless cobblestone flooring, simple wooden deck, and a cascading hillside garden providing shade in all the perfect places. 

To prepare for the festivities, Jeannie and Kelvin created a wedding website full of information. They let their guests handle their respective airfare and arrange accommodations on an RSVP basis. They also offered different rooming options for large groups and set up timetables for shuttle services. 

Creating a sense of inclusivity for their guests was important to the couple, as they wanted the celebration to feel like one big vacation. They hosted welcome drinks and a rehearsal lunch, and even included an interactive guest book!

“On the wedding day, instead of an ordinary guest book, we had a Polaroid ‘guest book.’ Groomsmen and bridesmaids were there to help take Polaroids for guests, and they’d sign and clip them onto the photo frame. It served as heartwarming decor in the welcome area!” the couple recalls. 

The ceremony took place on a beautiful March day in the lush greenery of the resort’s garden. With intertwining themes of tropical rustic and whimsical boho, the lawn was transformed into a scene reminiscent of New Zealand’s Lupin Field, where Kelvin proposed. Art of Florals Phuket arranged a wide array of blue and white florals, including delphinium, roses, thistle, and a mix of eucalyptus thoughtfully dispersed around the ceremony area.

The reception decor created a warm and cozy ambiance, with lights streaming along the dining area, dangling in trees, and adorning the head table’s arch. The expansive twelve-course dinner menu consisted of Thai cuisine served family-style, allowing guests to sample everything.

“Other than slightly running behind our wedding timeline, everything went so smoothly! After cutting the wedding cake, everyone rushed to the dance floor, and we forgot to serve the cake. But we still had an ice cream cart as a midnight snack. The next day, at our farewell lunch, we brought the wedding cake back, and it was just as enjoyable,” Jeannie adds.

The vendors who made the day possible came from Thailand, the UK, and Hong Kong. The couple ensured frequent communication via email and even created a WhatsApp group chat to keep everyone aligned on timelines and logistics.

When asked for tips for other couples planning a destination wedding, they said:

“You will become the travel concierge – guests will ask you for recommendations, whether it’s for food, accommodation, activities, etc. Familiarizing yourself with the destination will help you create a travel guide to include on your wedding website.”

“Hire a wedding planner,” they add. “No matter how organized you think you are, planning a wedding requires more than two. A good planner team will guide you through the entire process and reduce unnecessary stress.”

Vendors: Photographer: Tammy Shun; Wedding Planner: The Bridal Planner; Venue: Rosewood Phuket; Florist: Art of Flower Phuket; Cake: Joob Joob Bakery; Hair & Makeup: Joey Makeup Atelier; Gown Designer: To Be Wed Official; Groom’s Clothing Designer: 852 Tailor House; Bridesmaids Dresses: Birdy Grey; Videographer: Woody Storytelling; Celebrant: Tropical Events; Live Band: EKA Soundz