Destination: Shaadi – Fairy Tales Are Made of This
By Mahmood Hossain
Space. No, not the final frontier, but a critical component to successfully pulling off a grand wedding. Space provides the same base facilitates as a blank canvas, so that wedding planners can deliver a ceremonial event that is equivalent to a masterpiece. Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park possesses both and more. With the help of their trained and competent staff, some of your most memorable moments can be created throughout their 50,000 square feet of venues. Accommodating both Indian and Thai wedding festivities, every detail matters, and Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park provides in abundance.
If there was ever a genie of marriage ceremonies, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park would be the opulent lamp, a gateway to converting your wedding dreams into reality and breathing new life into the millennia-old institution of marriage.
To better understand what the hotel has to offer, we spoke to Dujdao ‘Da’ Jamreonsaksri, the Director of Event Management of Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, as he gave us her professional insight.
What makes Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park the ideal Indian wedding destination in the city?
Some of the major reasons would be our multiple venue and event space options, culinary expertise by professional chefs, and experienced staff who are well-versed in Indian destination weddings.
The culinary experience here is unparalleled. We understand the importance of authentic flavours and presentation in Indian weddings and that is why we have in-house Indian chefs. We offer customisable menus that can cater to different dietary requirements and preferences, ensuring that every guest enjoys a delightful culinary experience during the wedding festivities. This is thanks to professional chefs who are well-versed not only in Thai cuisine, but also Indian and international cuisine.
Lastly, our hotel is home to a dedicated team of experienced staff who are well-equipped in handling Indian destination weddings. Our team understands the cultural nuances and intricacies of Indian weddings, and we work closely with the couple and their families to create a memorable and stress-free wedding experience.
This also happens to be the largest luxury hotel in Bangkok, with 1,388 guestrooms and more than 50,000 square feet of event space. Does this suggest you’re better suited for larger events?
We take pride in our hotel’s impressive capacity, which makes us well-equipped to handle large-scale events. However, our hotel is not only suitable for large events but also offers flexibility and versatility for smaller gatherings.
We cater to suit your needs. Our team is well experienced in handling different types of events, including weddings, conferences, corporate meetings, and social gatherings, and can provide professional guidance and recommendations to ensure a successful event.
The hotel also manages off-site restaurants at Asiatique the Riverside, such as Sirimahannop, which is a spectacular space for events. Are wedding groups encouraged to use the venues at Asiatique that offer the river experience too? How is this facilitated?
Absolutely! While our hotel offers an array of stunning event spaces, we also recognise that couples may have a specific vision in mind for their special day. Therefore, we are delighted to work with them to explore alternative venues by the river that can provide a distinct and unforgettable wedding experience.
For one, there is Sirimahannop, a three masted tall ship that is permanently docked at Asiatique the Riverside. Transporting you back to a rich bygone era of Thai trade and heritage, this exciting social experience and event venue on the Chao Phraya River can accommodate up to 300 guests on both the upper and lower deck.
Secondly, The Crystal Grill House is a glitzy glasshouse waterside restaurant that offers an elegant venue and exclusive touches for intimate gatherings of up to 100 guests.
Finally, the Siam Tea Room is an elegant two-story wooden building with indoor and al fresco seating areas, a banqueting facility, a private dining room, and views of the river. With a capacity of 200 guests, it is the perfect location for a family luncheon, dinner, or get-together.
At Indian weddings and celebrations, the culinary experience is of utmost importance. Are signature dishes from your restaurants being incorporated into the menu?
As our hotel is famous for our F&B options for the local crowd, we often get requests to add special dishes from the restaurant, so yes, we can cater to various requests. We strive to exceed our guests’ expectations by delivering exquisite cuisine that is authentic, flavourful, and made with the finest ingredients. Whether it’s Indian, Thai, modern Japanese, Chinese, or international cuisine, our diverse culinary offerings ensure that every guest’s taste buds are satisfied, making their dining experience truly exceptional.
Tell us about some of the most unique experiences you’ve witnessed at Indian weddings at your hotel.
One of the unique experiences at an Indian wedding was a ‘baraat batmobile’ for the groom’s arrival. It was a touch of excitement, a fun and unique mode of transportation for the groom, creating a memorable entrance that is sure to be talked about for years to come.
Additionally, our creative events team and experienced chefs worked closely with a couple to design a Game of Thrones-themed wedding party, and menu items inspired by the popular TV series. We understand that couples may have specific themes or concepts in mind for their wedding celebrations, and we are dedicated to
bringing their visions to life. The result was an extraordinary and unforgettable wedding celebration that was tailored to the couple’s preferences and reflected their unique personalities.
On the other end of wedding venue activities, Priya Khorana-Rizvi and Amir Rizvi, who tied the knot at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, tell us what made the destination perfect for their big days.
Out of the countless venues across the country, what made your wedding and the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park a perfect match?
Our family and friends have held many parties at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, and we decided this was our perfect match for several reasons. Firstly, the hotel’s location is in the heart of Bangkok. Secondly, it has a stunning venue with a very elegant and grand feel. And third, more importantly, the food is always excellent.
This was crucial for my parents, as they take the utmost pride in offering their guests a fantastic overall experience. So, making sure the food is outstanding was paramount for my family.
While there are many positives to holding wedding festivities at this particular location, what about the experience did you find most fulfilling?
Amir and I met right before the height of the pandemic, which meant our families, unfortunately, could not meet in person for a couple of years. Uniting both our families to celebrate our journey and love story at such a beautiful venue on such a magical Christmas Eve night, was truly the highlight for both of us.
What were some of your guests’ more flattering thoughts and opinions regarding the venue and the event?
According to our guests, our theme (ivory and gold) was simple, yet extremely elegant and regal. We received many compliments throughout the night and still to this day. We made sure that there were touches of ‘us’ found throughout the venue and event, whether it was the choice of our first dance song which Amir loves to sing to me; choosing the name of our drinks based on the timeline of our love story; decorating the family tables with hints of gold and earthy tones; and most notably, choosing to have our wedding reception on Christmas Eve, which was the day we met exactly three years prior.
If there is advice you could give to newlyweds who are considering Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park as their chosen venue, what would it be?
Our advice to newlyweds would be to make sure to choose a venue that rings true to your heart and love story. Amir and I were lucky enough to create an atmosphere that suited our personalities, but also felt ‘right’ as soon as we walked into the hall on the night of our wedding reception.
