For Dhruva and Rittika, Memorial Day Weekend unveiled itself in bursts of bright colors along the shoreline of Turks & Caicos where the two chose to say “I do.” Seventy-five guests touched down on the island from all over the globe—Los Angeles, London, Chicago, and beyond. For an event of this size, Beaches® Turks & Caicos was the perfect place to accommodate everyone with five villages (Italian, French, Key West, Caribbean and Seaside), 21 dining options and activities for all ages.
In the months and weeks leading up to their wedding, Rittika and Dhruva worked closely with their personal Beaches Wedding Entourage—sharing inspiration boards, scheduling calls and selecting inspiration elements—in order to bring their vision to life. While utilizing much of the decor from the Beaches Customizable Weddings inventory, the couple also pieced together their own list of unique items that were important cultural additions for their big day, including a Palki, which serves as a carrying platform for the bride to arrive at the ceremony.
On Friday morning, at the Turtles Bar patio, the weekend of events kicked off with the Haldi Ceremony—an event that is meant to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity to the bride and groom. With the couple seated in the center of the space—surrounded by bright orange and yellow fabrics, strands of marigolds and bowls of turmeric paste (known as haldi)—family and friends gathered around to spread the mixture onto the faces of the bride and groom, while also enjoying a refreshing juice bar and tablescape of tasty light bites presented by the resort’s 5-Star Global Gourmet™ culinary team.
Later that evening, the couple threw a grand celebration, known as the Sangeet, at Bombay Club. Here, family and friends performed choreographed dance routines beneath an arching dome draped in jewel-toned cloth. Glasses overflowed with mango lassis throughout the evening and a boxwood wall, complete with a floral-adorned bicycle, made for an insta-worthy photo spot! It was the perfect way to excite and welcome all of the guests to Rittika and Dhruva’s wedding weekend.
When the morning of the ceremony arrived, clear, blue skies and a calm Caribbean Sea made up the landscape. Keeping with customary tradition, Dhruva arrived to the tented ceremony first and did so in ultimate style. Known as a Baraat, the team at Beaches Turks & Caicos accommodated his request by adorning a golf cart in lush florals and using a speaker to play his entrance music. Once he had arrived, Rittika was carried in on a red and gold Palki—a nod to her stunning ruby red dress lined in gold embroidery. From singing and dancing to the couples’ vows of forever, it was a beautiful ceremony marked by incomparable scenery.
After the couple was officially united, guests had an afternoon to themselves before coming together again for the last hurrah. The bride and groom opted for a simple look with white, pearl and silver decor, and focused their energy on enjoying the company of guests who had traveled near and far to be with them. Dancing carried on into the late hours of the night, while guests congratulated the newlyweds with heartfelt speeches and belly laughs. As the clock approached midnight and the sounds of the island faded out, the wedding party relocated to the beach for a s’mores bonfire and a lantern release. With the glow of each lantern hovering just above the seascape, guests shared their final happy wishes for Rittika and Dhruva and sent them off into the starry sky.
Bride & Groom: Rittika Hardas ( @rittikar on Instagram) & Dhruva Hardas ( @shadytraveller20 on Instagram)
Written by : Gianna Nolte
Photos by: Lin & Jirsa Photography
Video by: Bliss Wedding Films
Makeup/Hair : @appease2you on Instagram
Wedding Planner : Beaches Customizable Weddings
Venue : Beaches Turks & Caicos Resorts Villages and Spa
Watch Dhruva and Rittika’s dream wedding come to life and experience the magic of their love.