Kitty & Mike — A Multi-Day Celebration at Villa Jia, Jivana Beach Villas

Kitty and Mike came to us looking for a destination wedding that could hold both the privacy of a villa and the warmth needed for a group of family and friends. They found it at Villa Jia, part of the Jivana Beach Villas complex in Phang Nga — a beachfront setting on the Andaman Sea, held over a full weekend in February 2019.

Finding the villa, and the shape of the weekend

When Kitty and Mike first set out to plan their 2019 destination wedding, they were looking for a location that could offer both the luxury of a private villa and the welcoming atmosphere needed for a group of family and friends. After considering several options, they settled on Villa Jia — part of the stunning Jivana Beach Villas complex — for its serene, beachfront setting nestled against the azure of the Andaman Sea.

Throughout the planning process the couple worked closely with Paul and Toom to craft an experience that was seamless and stress-free. With guests staying at nearby resorts like Aleenta and Akyra, the planning required a delicate balance of logistics — coordinating shuttle schedules, arrival meals, and transport between the villa and local hotels — so that everyone felt taken care of from the moment they touched down in Phuket.

Friday — the Welcome Party at the Hot Springs Sala

The festivities officially kicked off on Friday, 15 February, with a casual and lively Welcome Party held at the Sala at the Hot Springs Resort. It set the tone for the weekend, letting guests relax and reconnect in an open, outdoor space before the main event.

Saturday morning — rehearsal and the Tea Ceremony

When Saturday, 16 February arrived, Villa Jia was transformed. The couple's vision was one of "beach formal" elegance — sun dresses, garden attire, and a relaxed, natural vibe. The morning was reserved for a dress rehearsal and free time, while the afternoon marked a heartfelt transition with a traditional Tea Ceremony held with their family.

The ceremony on the beachfront lawn

As the sun began to dip, the atmosphere shifted to the main wedding ceremony on the villa's beachfront lawn. The setting was picturesque, using a custom stage platform built over the pool for the ceremony, with flower girls and page boys leading the way down the aisle. After the vows were exchanged and the certificate signed, the mood turned to celebration.

Family-style dinner under the stars

Guests moved to a reception dinner served family-style under the stars, featuring a customised Thai menu that carefully accommodated a range of dietary preferences, including vegetarian options. The reception was designed to be intimate yet vibrant — with the dance floor as a clear focal point, the evening moved from speeches and cake cutting into a night of music and dancing.

Throughout the planning Kitty and Mike were deeply involved in the fine details, ensuring that their guests — especially the younger ones at their designated kids' table — were comfortable and included.

Looking back

The success of the day wasn't just in the aesthetics — the fairy lights dressing the reception area, the thoughtful layout of the cocktail tables — but in the careful coordination that allowed the couple to simply enjoy their day. It was a beautiful culmination of months of planning, turning a distant destination dream into a tangible, memorable reality shared with their closest loved ones.