A spectacular Samui sunset capped off this couple’s two-week celebration at a beloved Thai seaside retreat.
Wedding wisdom says lock in your location, asap. And for this Australian-based couple, saying yes to the sublime isle of Samui brought their dreamy two-week Thai celebration together.
“We fell in love with the resort the moment we walked in,” says Bianca of their chosen venue, luxurious beachfront hideaway Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui. “It had everything we wanted: a garden with a beach view for the ceremony and a beach restaurant for the reception. The cherry on the top was the staff. Everyone was so welcoming and accommodating.”
The bride gives a special shout-out to the resort’s event manager, Hiro. “He was our real-life super ‘Hiro’, and when planning an abroad wedding he made everything happen for us,” she says. “The biggest challenge was not going overboard with Pinterest wishes — we didn’t need much as the venue speaks for itself.”
There was one sweet logistical hurdle though. “The hardest part was bringing a chocolate dog cake topper across from Australia without it melting,” Bianca says. “Given our fur child couldn’t make it, we had to bring him in edible form.” Awww!
The besotted pair arrived a week early to activate holiday mode and help family jetting in from around the world to get acquainted. “Getting there at least a day or two prior was a must,” says Bianca. “We were able to relax and spend time with guests and it meant almost everyone knew each other by the wedding day, making it a really good evening.”
The couple’s open-air ceremony unfolded against azure bay vistas, surrounded by 50 of their nearest and dearest. “Seeing each other at opposite ends of the aisle is such a precious memory,” says the bride. “It was a pretty surreal moment.” Delicate botanical accents in Bianca’s beautiful gown were a nod to the natural surrounds and pops of pink and tropical blooms created a joyful palette, later echoed in the most spectacular Samui sunset!
Festivities then moved on to Fish Tales restaurant where the resort chefs created a bespoke feast and a memorable taste of Thailand. “The Thai Buffet was the talk of the wedding, and all the food was incredible,” says Bianca. “The chef was able to amend some of the meals to accommodate allergies which was amazing too.” And the evening’s funniest moment? “So many to choose from: could be a guest doing the worm, groom doing the splits, shots at the head table, or the speeches (which we won’t repeat here!!).”
The newlyweds stayed on the island for another week of five-star holiday bliss and are planning a safari for their second wedding anniversary as a ‘proper’ honeymoon. And they have no hesitation in recommending a destination wedding to others. “Do it!” says Bianca. “While it was tricky that not everyone could make it, we couldn’t imagine it any other way. Having a holiday and wedding combined is so much fun … and it’s possibly the only time we’ll ever have an event like this with all our favourite people from opposite sides of the globe. It was so special.”
Quote of the day goes to one guest who commented: “It was the best wedding ever and we feel sorry for any wedding that comes after this one … location, weather, food, people — was just the best!”
DREAM TEAM
Guests: 50 // Venue: Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui // Wedding planner: Hirokazu ‘Hiro’ Kasuya at Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui // Photography: Narz Studio // Bridal gown: The White One/ Love Me Do Brides, England Honeymoon: Planning a safari in South Africa & beach holiday in Mauritius
