Shreya Asha Narang + Akshat Tiwari
January 6, 2024 • Cancún, Mexico • engaged 2 years
photos by Ptaufiq Photography
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How we met:
We first met in Dallas, Texas, after months of long phone calls and messages exchanged over text and through a dating app. When we finally met in person, the connection was undeniable. Soon afterwards, we both decided to move to the same city (Houston), and what began as a long-distance talking situation naturally evolved into an official relationship.
The proposal:
Our engagement took place in Riviera Maya, where my husband surprised me with a proposal on a private beach, just steps from the water. Since he proposed in Cancún, having our wedding on similar beaches was a dream come true.
Why a destination wedding:
Having been proposed to in Mexico, it felt only natural to return to the country to solemnize our bond and celebrate it with our closest friends and family. While Cancún has hundreds of hotels with stunning venues, Royalton Splash Riviera Cancún immediately stood out to us. The resort offered us distinct and beautifully curated locations for each of our wedding events—namely a welcome dinner, a Haldi, a Sangeet, the wedding and the reception—each tailored to our decor and guest count. The fact that the resort was kid-friendly, and allowed our guests to bring their kiddos along was an added treat. Selecting this resort ensured that we could have the wedding I had always dreamed of, while still allowing our guests a chance to have fun outside of the wedding events with their respective families.
Favorite detail:
Bride: Choosing Cancún for our wedding felt incredibly meaningful. It’s where I got engaged, and returning to celebrate that journey, this time surrounded from my mom’s side, my dad’s side, my in-laws, and our closest friends, made the experience truly full circle! Bringing together the people who know us best in a place already filled with so much personal significance added an emotional depth that went far beyond the destination itself. Cancún will always hold a special place in my heart—not just for its beauty, but for the love, unity, and memories created there.
Groom: What made our wedding unique was the way in which we blended elements from our heritage into a modern “beachy” celebration, creating an experience that honored where we come from while reflecting who we are today.
Favorite moment:
Bride: The reception, without question, was my favorite part of the wedding. As the sun set, the space literally transformed into a high-energy celebration—illuminating lights overhead, a glowing LED dance floor under foot, and an electric atmosphere that felt more like an exclusive dance party than a traditional reception. Family dance battles erupted to the beat of the dhol, with each performance more spirited than the last, blurring generations and stealing the spotlight. Unexpected touches, like the robot dispensing drinks, added a playful, modern twist. It was joyful, immersive, and unforgettable—the kind of night where music, movement, and pure celebration took over!
Groom: My favorite moment was when I saw my bride for the first time at the altar. In that instant, all of my worries faded away.
Biggest challenge:
Bride: Coordinating multiple functions: Haldi, Sangeet, wedding, and reception — each hosted with its own layout, logistics, and aesthetic. This meant designing a distinct look and feel for every space, aligning multiple décor and production vendors, and managing communication with local staff in another country. Hiring a wedding planner with strong local expertise made all the difference. Their established relationships with regional vendors and ability to coordinate across venues helped translate our vision seamlessly and made an otherwise complex, multi-location celebration feel organized and effortless.
Groom: Coordinating arrivals, stays, and departures for guests traveling from all over the world was our biggest challenge. Ensuring everyone felt welcomed and taken care of required careful planning, but with the support of our close family, it came together beautifully.
Funniest moment:
Bride: The tradition where the bride’s sisters “steal” the groom’s shoes and hold them for ransom, and he has to pay up in order to get them back. Watching the groom’s side and my sisters and bridesmaids playfully negotiate a payoff while holding signs with funny comments like “No money, no honey,” and “Pay up, mister, if you want our sister,” was hilarious and made the wedding joyful for the guests.
Groom: I forgot to bring cash for the payoff mentioned above and ended up needing to have my sister pay the bridesmaids on my behalf in order to take my bride away!
If you could do one thing over:
Bride: Shopping for my bridal lehenga. It’s such a fun experience. You get to explore different styles, fabrics, and cuts, and truly go out for your wedding. The level of detail, craftsmanship, and design transforms every outfit into a work of art.
Groom: I would allow myself to slow down and truly enjoy the process and ceremonies, rather than feeling consumed by ensuring everything goes off without a hitch.
Advice for couples:
Groom: Focus on what truly matters. The details of the wedding will come together eventually, but when you look back at your ceremony, you will realize that you would have had far more fun if you remember to be present in the moment and celebrate the commitment you’re making to each other.
Why you got married:
Bride: Marriage, to me, is growing side by side—walking through life’s high and lows with unwavering support at every stage. It’s having a partner who challenges you to become a better version of yourself while leading with compassion, empathy, and grace. I truly couldn’t have asked for, or imagined, a better partner for my life.
Groom: To me, marriage is about partnership and purpose—creating a shared foundation for future generations built on trust, love, and mutual respect. I’m glad I found a partner I can respect and love for the rest of my life.
How to make your spouse happy:
Bride: Try to make your partner’s life more simple through an act of service, words of affirmation, spending quality time, etc depending on the support they need at the time.
Groom: Listen more than you speak, show appreciation as often as possible, and remember that being right isn’t always as important as making your partner feel safe and loved.
What you look forward to most:
Bride: Building a life together that we’re proud of—one rooted in love, mutual support, and shared growth— while creating lasting memories through new experiences, adventures, and travel around the world.
Groom: Moving through life together, from the ordinary routines to the biggest milestones, knowing we’re always on the same team. That sense of partnership, or shared ownership over our decisions and having a constant, trusted companion to share life’s joys and troubles with, is what I most look forward to.
More advice for couples:
Groom: In life, learn to enjoy the journey, it’s all you’ll remember when you reach the destination.
THE EVENTS:
Reception:
The wedding reception is set within a dramatic indoor venue designed for impact and intimacy. A ceiling of cascading florals and suspended installations creates a striking overhead focal point, while layered lighting adds depth and atmosphere throughout the space. At the center is a sleek LED dance floor which anchors the room, seamlessly transitioning the setting from an elegant reception to a high-energy celebration.
Sangeet:
A Sangeet is a joyful pre-wedding celebration where families come together through music and dance to celebrate the couple. The Sangeet was held at an elegant open-air venue featuring a glowing LED dance floor in deep blue tones that creates a dramatic, reflective centerpiece for performances and dancing. The stage is framed by ornate gold Mughal-style arches, warm chandeliers, and soft white florals, with a plush sofa for couple seating. Overhead string lights and colorful fabric lanterns add a festive, traditional touch, while vibrant lounge seating and crisp white tables balance comfort with modern style. This overall look is royal, vibrant, celebratory, and perfectly suited for a lively Sangeet.
Haldi:
A Haldi is a traditional pre-wedding ceremony centered on blessing the couple by putting turmeric on them, and blessing them for the ceremonies ahead. The Haldi was held at the beachfront and featured a symmetrical mandap with triangular wooden frames, marigold garlands, and vibrant florals. Delicate white drapes frame the space adding the softness and “movement” as it swayed in the breeze. At the center, was a traditional seating arrangement for the bride and groom accented with saffron and gold tones that echo the auspicious nature of the Haldi ritual.
DETAILS:
Event location: Royalton Splash Riviera, Cancún, Mexico, 250-300 guests
Wedding planner: B3E Event Management
Photographer: Ptaufiq Photography
Wedding dress: blush-pink lehenga by Shyamal and Bhumika, handcrafted over 4 months, weighing 27 lbs, featuring hand-embroidery with delicate metallic detailing, open-back blouse, and sheer embroidered dupatta (scarf)
Reception dress: Portia and Scarlett red sequin mermaid-style gown, paired with an emerald & diamond necklace
Sangeet dress: mint-green and silver lehenga with heavy geometric sequins and zari embroidery throughout. The skirt has a structured, voluminous flare with sleeveless, embroidered blouse featuring a modern open back with tie detailing, paired with a sheer sage-green net dupatta and polki-style Indian jewelry with uncut diamonds and semi-precious stones
Hair & makeup: Styling Trio
Groom attire: traditional Indian wedding Sherwani
Floral design: Tulipania
Special features: Man in a robotic exo-skeleton with a Tequila-dispensing gun