History at Belmond Reid’s Palace usually involves royalty or Churchill, but Kavita and Sriraaman added a vibrant new chapter to the hotel’s legacy. Hosting the first Indian wedding in the history of this clifftop icon wasn’t just a logistical feat; it was a visual shift the hotel had never seen before.
Reid’s is famous for its old-money British elegance, its subtropical gardens and those signature pink walls. Seeing spaces usually associated with quiet afternoon teas transformed by the colour, movement and energy of a traditional Indian celebration was incredible. It felt less like a conventional “destination wedding” and more like a private takeover of an old family estate.
The significance of the celebration went well beyond Madeira. The wedding was later featured by Vogue Singapore, which told Kavita and Sriraaman’s story and documented how their Indian heritage, London life and the landscape of Madeira came together across the celebrations.
Planning a wedding in Madeira? Explore more of my work as a Madeira Island wedding photographer, with real weddings, elopements and celebrations across the island.