Miloni & Gautam - Khao Lak, Thailand

I could use many words to describe Miloni and Gautam's wedding weekend in Khao Lak, Thailand, but I think these four letters suffice. E-P-I-C.

Held at the stunning JW Marriott in Khao Lak last month, this 3-day celebration had all the makings of an unforgettable wedding. There were fiery sunsets, an elephant, bejeweled saris, an electric violinist, late night pool parties and lots of dancing! It really was the perfect way to fete this adventuresome, life-loving couple and the union of their families.

It's impossible to choose a favorite moment, but perhaps one of the most touching was a small ceremony before the actual exchange of vows, when Miloni's side of the family gives their wishes before she officially joins her new family. Friends and family tie golden kalira onto the bride's wrists, with murmured blessings and tearful singing. She wears these golden ornaments until the end of the wedding ceremony, literally weighed down with the blessings of her loved ones. It's an incredibly intimate ceremony, quite different from the exuberance and extravagance of the rest of the celebration - something that I'll never forget.

One of my best friends and former roommates from UVa, Miloni is the kind of person you can always count on to "go big" rather than "go home". Her sense of adventure and novelty was always a significant factor driving our college shenanigans (at least that's how I remember it! :-). After college, Miloni moved to New York. Whenever we visited, she always knew the new hip spots, had opinions about the latest critically-acclaimed movie, and could talk circles around you about the happenings within Manhattan's Financial District. 

Miloni's focus is another aspect I admire most about her.  In college, when some of us were studying astronomy just for credit and debating which majors had the least requirements, Miloni already had her academic career mapped out through graduation. Apparently she wanted to pursue investment banking since the tender age of ten! So all the better when she set her sights on Gautam on the UVa campus - a man who could keep up with her and complement her in such a way that they could go big and go home together. 

These two built their relationship over nearly 7 years, across several borders and on top of many adventures around the globe. I wish the two of you all the happiness in the world as you embark on your biggest adventure yet - as Mr. and Ms. Malhotra!