Between the turquoise waters of Tulum, breathtaking tropical design, live wedding painting, soulful tabla performances, and a dance floor that probably could have been seen from space, Lasya & Nikhil’s destination wedding delivered the kind of magic that reminds us why South Asian weddings remain the gold standard for unforgettable celebrations.
Hosted at the stunning Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa, this wedding weekend was a vibrant fusion of timeless Indian traditions and modern destination wedding luxury. Their outdoor garden ceremony embraced the lush greenery they both adore, while every event was thoughtfully designed so guests would leave saying, "That was so Lasya & Nikhil." Hosting the wedding at an all-inclusive resort gave the weekend an atmosphere guests couldn't stop talking about. Instead of rushing from event to event, family and friends spent days relaxing by the pool, exploring Tulum, sharing meals, and reconnecting in ways that extended far beyond the wedding itself. The result felt less like a traditional wedding weekend and more like an unforgettable vacation shared with everyone they love.
Behind the flawless execution was AtelierA Events, whose planning and design expertise transformed Dreams Tulum into a breathtaking celebration space. Every detail felt intentional, from the guest experience to the seamless transitions between events. One of our favorite touches? Mango lassi and laddus served during the haldi as a playful nod to the couple's affectionate nicknames for one another—"Lassi" and "Ladu." Even the sangeet embraced Lasya's love of Disney with a whimsical Tangled-inspired theme that delighted guests from start to finish. Pistilo created lush floral and décor installations that embraced the natural beauty of Tulum while elevating every event into something extraordinary. Tropical textures, romantic blooms, and sophisticated design elements blended seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, creating spaces that felt both luxurious and inviting. Every ceremony setup, lounge area, and reception detail offered a new "wow" moment waiting to be discovered.
Lasya looked absolutely radiant throughout the festivities thanks to the talented artists at Styling Trio. Her bridal fashion beautifully honored both tradition and personal style. Unable to choose between a lehenga and a sari, she embraced both, wearing a timeless red-and-gold lehenga before changing into a traditional Telugu wedding sari during the ceremony. The wardrobe change perfectly reflected the beauty of blending heritage with individuality. Adding another beautiful layer of tradition was the intricate artistry of Kohinoor Mehndi. The delicate mehndi designs served not only as stunning adornment but as a meaningful tribute to the cultural traditions woven throughout the weekend.
One of the most memorable elements of the celebration came through music and artistry. The soulful sounds of tabla virtuoso Sid Komaragiri added a beautiful live element to the festivities, creating moments that felt deeply personal and emotionally rich. Meanwhile, Let's Paint Weddings captured the celebration through live painting, creating a one-of-a-kind keepsake that transformed wedding memories into fine art before guests' eyes. Of course, no South Asian wedding reaches legendary status without an unforgettable party. From the first song to the final encore, Dynasty AVE kept the energy sky-high. Because when you're already in Tulum, surrounded by your favorite people, wearing your best outfit, and celebrating love, "one more song" somehow becomes another hour of dancing. The evening atmosphere was elevated even further by stunning production and lighting from Roma Sound, whose creative lighting transformed the celebration spaces into immersive experiences after sunset.
Helping ensure every guest arrived ready to celebrate was our Platinum Guide member, Indian Destination Wedding, Inc.. Destination weddings often involve countless travel logistics, and their expertise allowed guests to focus on what truly mattered: creating unforgettable memories with Lasya & Nikhil. They created the luxury destination experience that made the weekend so memorable. Capturing every laugh, every dance, every emotional embrace, and every breathtaking Tulum sunset was Sweet Paper Media. Their photography and cinematography beautifully documented the spirit of the weekend with a storytelling style that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. The result was a visual narrative that feels both cinematic and deeply personal, preserving not just how the wedding looked, but how it felt to be there in those unforgettable moments.
As magical as every event was, the moment that stayed with the couple the most came during the final dance of the reception. Surrounded by loved ones who had spent several unforgettable days celebrating alongside them, Lasya & Nikhil shared one last dance to "I Like Me Better by Lauv." As guests circled them, singing, swaying, and filling the room with love, the lyrics became the perfect reflection of their relationship and the joyful, authentic versions of themselves they bring out in each other. It was bittersweet, euphoric, and the perfect ending to a weekend filled with unforgettable memories.
Lasya & Nikhil's Tulum destination wedding was everything a modern South Asian celebration should be—joyful, meaningful, luxurious, deeply personal, and completely unforgettable. A beautiful reminder that the most memorable weddings aren't defined by extravagant details alone, but by the thoughtful moments that tell a couple's unique story. When incredible people, meaningful traditions, and paradise come together, magic isn't just possible—it's inevitable.
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I first met Nikhil at Entouraas tryouts at the University of Maryland when I was 18 years old. My first impression was that he was an insanely talented dancer—especially for a guy! As I got to know him better through the team, I quickly fell in love with his humor and personality. We shared the same goofy, childlike energy while also being genuine, grounded, and composed.
I don’t have one specific moment when I realized Nikhil was “the one.” Instead, he showed me over and over again through his actions. Whether it was making an effort to get to know my friends and family, constantly reassuring and supporting me, or being there for me through both my lowest lows and highest highs, he consistently demonstrated the kind of partner he is.
Over the last 10 years, we’ve experienced so many milestones together and have had the privilege of watching each other grow into the people we are today. Through every stage of life, I never once doubted that he was the one for me—and he continues to show me every day why he always will be.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We were in San Diego for my cousin’s wedding and decided to extend our trip by a few days since it’s one of my favorite places to visit. We spent the day exploring, starting with a walk through Balboa Park and then grabbing In-N-Out for lunch. Later that afternoon, we had a gondola ride scheduled on Coronado Island.
At that point, I was convinced the proposal was going to happen on the gondola. It was so beautiful and romantic, and it reminded me of the gondola scene from my favorite movie, Tangled. But to my surprise, it didn’t happen—and I have to admit, I was a little disappointed afterward.
Next, we headed to what I thought was our dinner reservation near Mission Bay. Along the way, I noticed Nikhil was driving in the wrong direction. When he said he was just following the GPS, I got suspicious and saw that he was heading toward a pinned location. Suddenly, I was excited again and convinced this was it! But Nikhil, determined not to ruin the surprise, gave me an entire speech about how he knew I thought a proposal was happening, but that it wasn’t today and would happen sometime soon. At that point, I had been on such an emotional roller coaster that I finally accepted it wasn’t happening that day—and that was okay.
Before dinner, he suggested we take a walk through the park. As we turned the corner, I was completely shocked to find the most beautiful Tangled-themed proposal setup waiting for us. There were lanterns, flowers, and candles surrounding a gorgeous tree overlooking Mission Bay at sunset. Nikhil had secretly hired a planner, decorator, and photographer to bring it all together, and every detail was so thoughtful and personal. It was absolutely perfect, and one of the most special moments of my life.
Tell us how you went about planning your wedding, and your overall experience with the Venues, Hair & Makeup, Outfits, Decor Theme, and all of the other important details.
Overall, the experience was amazing! We absolutely loved our venue because it perfectly matched the vision we had for our wedding—a classic hacienda style with beautiful natural greenery. Our style is a bit more simple and understated, so instead of going all out with elaborate décor, we focused on incorporating meaningful details that reflected who we are as a couple.
For example, we served mango lassi and ladus at our haldi because “Lassi” and “Ladu” are our nicknames for each other. We had a Tangled-themed sangeet since it’s my favorite movie, chose an outdoor garden ceremony because we both love being surrounded by greenery, and hosted our wedding in Tulum because of our shared love for travel.
Throughout the planning process, our goal was to make every decision feel authentic to us. We wanted our guests to walk away thinking, “That was so Lasya and Nikhil.” While wedding planning definitely came with its stressful moments, everything came together beautifully in the end, and it was incredibly special to see our vision come to life.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I was SO torn between wearing a lehenga or a sari for my wedding day. As a South Indian, it’s traditional to wear a sari for the ceremony, but I also loved the way a lehenga made me feel. In the end, I decided I didn’t have to choose! Since Telugu weddings typically include an outfit change during the ceremony, I wore a lehenga first and then changed into a sari later on.
I always knew I wanted both outfits to be traditional red and gold, and I ended up finding them while shopping in India. Surprisingly, the process was much easier than I expected. The moment I tried each of them on, I just knew they were the ones. Instead of continuing to shop around and compare more options, I trusted my gut and went with them—and I’m so glad I did. They felt timeless, traditional, and completely me.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
R. The most enjoyable part of the planning process for me was definitely planning the décor. Since I hadn’t seen many Indian weddings at our venue, there wasn’t a lot of inspiration to pull from, which actually gave us the freedom to be creative and design something that felt unique to us.
It took a lot of back-and-forth with different vendors and countless revisions to quotes, but I genuinely enjoyed bringing our vision to life. I loved thinking through how each space would look and feel, and figuring out how to create a cohesive aesthetic throughout the weekend. It was one of the few parts of planning that felt more creative than stressful, and it was so rewarding to see everything come together exactly as we had imagined.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
One of the things our guests loved most about the wedding was how much fun it was. Since we hosted it at an all-inclusive resort, it felt more like a vacation than a traditional wedding weekend. Between events, guests were able to relax by the pool, enjoy meals together, explore Tulum, and really make the most of the destination experience.
It was also incredibly special to have all of our family and friends together in one place for several days, which is something we hadn’t experienced in a very long time. Because everyone was in vacation mode, there was such a relaxed, joyful energy throughout the weekend. People had the chance to spend quality time together beyond just the wedding events, and I think that made the celebration feel even more meaningful and memorable.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
One of the most special moments from the entire weekend—and one that constantly replays in my mind—was our last song at the reception. It was such a euphoric feeling to be surrounded by all of our family and friends after spending several days together and sharing so many unforgettable moments. From the first looks, vows, and speeches to the dance practices, after-parties, late nights, and countless laughs (and tears), it felt like the perfect culmination of the entire weekend.
When our final song, I Like Me Better by Lauv, came on, Nikhil and I danced together, feeling completely present and genuinely happy. The guests brought the most incredible energy, and it was one of those moments where you wish time could just stand still.
The lyrics felt especially meaningful to us because they perfectly captured our relationship. As I mentioned before, Nikhil and I are incredibly goofy and childlike with each other, while also being grounded and composed around others. Throughout the weekend, so many guests told us, “We’ve never seen this side of you before,” and I think that’s because we truly bring out the fullest, most authentic versions of each other.
To this day, whenever I hear that song, I’m instantly transported back to that moment—standing in the middle of the dance floor with our loved ones circled around us, camera flashes lighting up the room, everyone swaying and singing along. It was bittersweet knowing the weekend was coming to an end, but at the same time, it felt like pure joy. Every time I hear the lyric, “the room got no ceiling,” I’m reminded of that exact feeling—like we were completely lost in the moment, surrounded by love, and on top of the world.
For events other than your ceremony, please tell us as much as you would like about the decor, style, dances, and all the special details.
Each event had its own unique vision, but overall, we wanted every celebration to feel cohesive, intentional, and reflective of our personalities.
For our welcome party, we envisioned a relaxed beach-at-sunset vibe. We encouraged guests to wear tropical colors and florals, and filled the space with string lights, cocktails, music, and dancing. We wanted it to feel simple, welcoming, and fun—a chance for everyone to meet, mingle, and ease into the wedding weekend.
For our Haldi, we fell in love with the Secret Garden venue. It was a beautiful tiki-inspired structure nestled within lush greenery, and we decorated it with bright yellow and orange florals while guests wore sunset-inspired colors. It ended up being one of my favorite events because I had the opportunity to interact with everyone as they came up to apply haldi. We also hosted our Pellikuthuru and Graha Shanti ceremonies there, which made it extra special to celebrate those meaningful traditions with our closest family members.
As I mentioned before, our sangeet was inspired by Tangled, my favorite movie. We incorporated string lights, vibrant purple, yellow, and orange florals, a large purple flower-inspired dance floor, a mehndi station, a fire show, and, of course, lots of dancing. I wanted it to capture the feeling of the festival scene in the movie, where everyone is gathered together, celebrating. Since Nikhil and I are both dancers, the performances from our friends and family made the night even more memorable.
For the ceremony, we leaned into a romantic garden aesthetic with soft pink and green florals and a wooden mandap that blended beautifully with the natural surroundings. We wanted the setting to feel organic, elegant, and connected to the greenery we both love.
Finally, for the reception, we chose a white, gold, and green color palette to create a timeless and sophisticated atmosphere. We wanted the design to feel classic and elegant while still complementing the venue and the overall aesthetic of the weekend.
Looking back, one of my favorite things is how well each event reflected both the venue and our personal style. Every space felt distinct, but together they told a cohesive story that felt authentically us.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
One of my biggest pieces of advice for wedding planning is to not be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to friends and family for contacts and recommendations, do your own research, and take advantage of tools that help you visualize your ideas (including things like ChatGPT for inspiration and decor mockups). Most importantly, invest in a great planner—they truly bring everything together.
A lot of the execution is handled by your planner and vendors, so your main role is to come in with a clear vision. That means being able to communicate your ideas in a way that’s easy to understand and making sure your vision aligns with your budget from the beginning.
It’s also really important to trust the people you hire. Finding the right planner and vendors can take time and research, but it makes all the difference. You want a team that understands your style, respects your vision, and can execute it confidently. Taking the time up front to choose the right people ultimately makes the entire process smoother and much more enjoyable.
Save this wedding to your favorites. This one you'll definitely want to revisit again and again.
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