From Tropical to Bohemian | A Five Day Real Wedding by Ikigaii Planners

Ikigaii Planners are professional wedding planners who have been part of the wedding planning industry in Dubai since 2019, specialising in the careful planning, management, and decor of weddings from start to finish. Today we’re taking a look at this incredible multi-themed five day wedding, planned and styled by Ikigaii Planners, and hear from the bride herself…

Wedding Vendors

Wedding Planner & Décor: Ikigaii Planners | Venue: Lapita, Dubai Parks & Resorts Hotel | Photographer: Dubai Wedding Photographer | Geeshan Bandara | Wedding Invitation Designer: Sonal Studio Designs | Makeup Artist: Nehaa Shah Artistry | Hair Stylist: Vaishali Panchal | DJ: DJ Ace | MC: Punit Lalwani | Bridal Henna: Shabnam Khan

How did you meet?

We met at a NYE party in 2016. We quickly realised we had a lot in common – from food (both are vegetarian), to music, to travelling, to similar professional backgrounds, to name a few. Our families also knew each other so it made things a lot easier.

How did he propose?

The proposal happened during Covid! It was a couple of days after lockdown eased in London in October 2020 and Shiv took the chance to propose in Primrose Hill, Regent’s Park in London. It was the most magical yet simplest proposal – just the way I wanted it to be. A few days later, the UK went back into lockdown so we got lucky!

Tell us about the wedding venue!

The wedding venue we chose was Lapita, Dubai Parks & Resorts. Although we had always envisioned a destination beach wedding during the sunset, we soon came to realise that wouldn’t be so practical after all. Then we came across Lapita and we never looked back. 

Haldi & Mehndi | Hawaiian / Tropical Theme

Sagan & Chura | Arabian Nights Theme

Wedding | Floral Bohemian Theme

Reception | Neon Theme

How was your experience working with Team Ikigaii?

Working with Team Ikigaii was dreamy! From the brainstorming to the actual execution on the big day, we had so much fun and honestly felt at ease. Planning a destination wedding is no joke, so having a team like Ikigaii by our sides throughout the process to advise and guide us and take the stress off our shoulders was incredible. We will forever be grateful to them for putting our needs first and ensuring our families and us could actually enjoy the events, whilst team Ikigaii did all the running around. If we could do it all again, we’d do so at the blink of an eye!

Do you have any wedding planning tips or advice for couples getting married?

Enjoy every moment of the planning. From experience we can tell you it won’t be easy and a smooth sailing throughout. However, as long as you both understand each other and work together as one team, nothing is impossible. You need two people to make one dream come true. So take this challenge on as one team and enjoy the ups and the downs that come with it. It will all be worth it. 

To start planning your wedding day with Ikigaii Planners, visit their profile page or email Heeital at ikigaiwedding@gmail.com or call +971 552873665. Happy planning!