Calla Lilies & Clifftop Vows: Erin & Di's Romantic Wedding at Sri Panwa
- Author: Natali Grace Levine
- Wedding date: 04/27/2025
- City: Phuket
Every great love story has its own unique beginning, and Erin and Di's journey started with a simple swipe right on Tinder. "We both swiped right on Tinder and the rest is history! ;)" Erin shares with a smile. But their path to forever wasn't quite the typical whirlwind romance. "Funnily enough, the sparks didn't fly at first but we really connected as friends. We eventually got together 2 years after our first date, and got married a couple more years later."
The proposal came as a complete surprise during their romantic getaway to Paris in July 2023. "During our Paris trip, Di got in touch with local photographers and planned a surprise sunset proposal along the banks of River Seine overlooking the Eiffel Tower," Erin recalls. "It was a very romantic and lovely gesture." The moment perfectly captured their relationship—thoughtful, romantic, and beautifully unexpected.
Today, the couple balances their busy professional lives (Erin works as a lawyer while Di is in Finance) with their shared passions. "We both enjoy tennis, traveling, and spending time with our little dog!" they tell us, painting a picture of a life well-lived together.
After 10 months of careful planning, Erin and Di brought their wedding vision to life with crystal-clear intention. "Something classic and elegant but with a little splash of character and romance," Erin describes. "That's why we went with something with a white base, with lots of lush florals and white drapery for that touch of sophistication. This is then punctuated with dark burgundy hues for that added drama and romance."
The color choice wasn't arbitrary—it came from the heart. "I think it was more of an inward-looking exercise to find what resonated the most with us," Erin explains. "Burgundy has always been my favorite colour so we found ways to work it into the theme and I think its boldness and sophistication ended up working quite well!"
When we asked about the most memorable moment, Erin didn't hesitate: "I think it had to be the first moment I walked onto the aisle - witnessing my to be husband at the end of the walkway and surrounded by all our loved ones (and not to mention, the sea of white and red floral installation to boot!)"
The couple took a modern approach to their wedding details, embracing simplicity where it mattered. "We did away with traditional invitations and used self-designed e-invites!" they share, proving that personal touches don't always need to be traditional.
When it came to choosing their wedding rings, the couple made it a shared experience, going ring shopping at the major boutiques together. Di's engagement ring came from Niya K Jewelry, while their wedding bands were from the iconic Harry Winston.
For their stationery needs, they kept things elegant and cohesive. "We had a simple menu card with a burgundy and white ribbon design that was designed by our wedding planners, MeEvents Phuket," perfectly tying into their overall color scheme.
Erin's search for the perfect dress was surprisingly straightforward. "This was a piece from Nicole and Felicia FW24 bridal collection. I first chanced upon it on an online catalogue of the bridal gown shop and fell in love with it pretty quickly!" she shares. The gown came from The Wedding Gown in Hong Kong, and it was love at first sight.
The getting-ready session took place in their hotel villa, creating an intimate atmosphere for those precious pre-ceremony moments. Erin was surrounded by her immediate family and her close friend Eve, keeping the morning relaxed and meaningful.
Her approach to accessories was intentionally understated. "The veil came as a set with the gown (and was the piece de resistance so it definitely elevated the look)," Erin explains. "I kept my shoes (nude suede pumps from Jimmy Choo) and jewelry (diamond tennis bracelet and a pair of diamond drop earrings) very simple so as not to steal the limelight of the veil."
For her bouquet, Erin chose something striking and personal. "I chose purple / burgundy Calla Lilies for my wedding bouquet," she tells us, with flowers by iamflower.co. The deep, dramatic blooms perfectly echoed the wedding's romantic color palette.
Di kept his morning preparation simple and focused, getting ready solo in their villa room. His custom tuxedo was a tailor-made piece from Lessmore in Shenzhen, proving that attention to detail extends to the groom's attire as well. The result was a perfectly fitted suit that complemented the elegance of the day.
The first look took place in the privacy of their hotel villa, creating an intimate moment before the ceremony festivities began. Di's reaction was everything a bride hopes for. "I thought she looked incredible!" he shares. "And the dress which she picked really fit well with her vibes and personality - elegant but with a hint of personality."
Erin, meanwhile, had her own hopes for the moment. "I was hoping he would tear from being so overwhelmed with emotion… hahaha but he didn't," she laughs. "But it was still a very nice moment as I took the pains to hide the dress from him!" The genuine emotion and humor in their recollection perfectly captures their relationship dynamic.
Due to timing constraints, the couple wisely chose to focus their pre-ceremony photos around their villa. "We mainly took pictures around our villa - this was mainly due to timing constraints," they explain. "We took a few more after the ceremony at the ceremonial platform." Sometimes the best approach is to work with what you have rather than rushing through multiple locations.
The ceremony location was nothing short of spectacular. Sri Panwa's Baba Nest provided a dramatic clifftop setting with sweeping views of the sea—a breathtaking backdrop for such a meaningful moment. "Sri Panwa's Baba Nest gave a lovely cliff-top view of the sea," the couple describes.
As Erin walked down the aisle to Coldplay's "All My Love," she was preceded by her friend's daughter as flower girl and her friend's son as ring bearer, adding sweet touches of family connection to the ceremony.
The most poignant moment came at the end of the aisle. "There were just too many special moments, but one which I remember the most was hugging my dad as he handed me over to Di at the end of the aisle," Erin shares. "I'm very much a Daddy's girl and this was quite an emotional moment for me!" It's these unscripted, heartfelt moments that make weddings truly unforgettable.
Mother Nature provided the perfect gift for their post-ceremony photos. "Mostly the ceremonial platform because the sunset which bathed the entire horizon in yellow orangey hues was just insanely beautiful that day," Erin recalls. There's something magical about capturing newlywed joy in that golden hour light, and the couple made the most of every glowing moment.
Choosing Sri Panwa's Baba Nest was an easy decision for Erin. "I fell in love with Baba Nest when I was doing my research for Phuket wedding venues and it was just love at first sight! So we went with it straight away," she shares. Sometimes you just know when something is right.
The color palette of burgundy and white created a sophisticated yet romantic atmosphere throughout both ceremony and reception spaces. The ceremony took place at Baba Nest, while the reception dinner unfolded at Baba Pool Club, allowing guests to experience different facets of this stunning venue.
The floral installations were nothing short of spectacular, with lush arrangements in white and deep burgundy tones creating that "sea of white and red floral installation" that took Erin's breath away as she walked down the aisle. Combined with elegant white drapery, the decor achieved exactly the sophisticated yet characterful vision the couple had dreamed of.
The evening celebration began with a first dance that was uniquely theirs. "It was a mash-up of 2 songs: You are the reason (Leona Lewis and Calum Scott) and Marry You (Bruno Mars)," they share—a perfect blend of romantic and joyful, just like their relationship.
The couple went the extra mile with their beverage selection, sharing something special with their guests. "We brought in some really special wine, which is a Cornell Estate 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon to share with our family and friends!" A thoughtful touch that elevated the dining experience. The wedding cake came from Passion Bakery and Restaurant, providing a sweet ending to an incredible celebration filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable views.
As for the vendor team, the couple shared: “Everyone was incredible and super professional! Special shoutout to my wedding planners - May and her incredible team from MeEvents Phuket who really went above and beyond at every step of the way and even surprised us with additional decor at our dinner setup! Our photographer, Nicolina from Mamoristudio also captured us in our best light and was a dream to work with. But really, what can I say, all our vendors were top notch!”