Apparently over a third of new marriages start online, and that’s kind of how it began for Vanita from Omagh and Vishay from Glasgow…
Vanita was doing research for her PhD at Queens University, Belfast and was handed Vishay’s email as a contact to interview. They pair enjoyed speaking online so much that they both decided to catch a flight to London and go on a first date.
Five months after meeting, Vishay took Vanita to the dock at Loch Lomond a few days before her birthday in Scotland and got down on one knee, leaving her lost for words when he proposed.
Wedding theme
The couple chose bollywood-esque as their wedding theme, using rich golds, reds and jewels in the decoration and serving Vanita’s dad’s Indian cooking. “It was a real fusion of cultures,” explains Vanita. “It felt like a game of two halves. The start of the day (the Hindu ceremony) was so colourful and vibrant, with rich embellishments, ruby red saris and bollywood-esque jewels. The reception was a much softer, romantic feel with gold chiffon and ivory roses but ended with some crazy Indian dancing! For this part of the day I wore a white gown and Vishay wore a kilt.”
The wedding venue
“Apart from the stunning views and beautiful interior, the real selling point with Lough Erne Golf Resort was the staff who could not accommodate us and our special requirements more,” enthuses Vanita. “They allowed my dad, a restaurateur, to cater and bring in his own chefs for the day which was amazing as we wanted authentic Indian cuisine. They also helped us with setting up the mandap (the four poster ceremony stage) and had no problem with us having the traditional fire during the ceremony even though it was in their main hall. You could tell that they were just as excited as us to be hosts of quite a unique wedding and made a real event out of the day.”
Wedding planners
Michele from Simply Elegant Event Decor and Shweta Reihill, Lough Erne’s wedding co-ordinator helped the couple bring their unique wedding day together. “Michele decorated the whole venue for us and created the four poster stage which the Hindu ceremony was conducted under, complete with draping, crystals and flowers,” says Vanita, “while Shweta helped us plan all the schematics and kept us sane!”
The wedding entertainment
This wedding was a real celebration and fusion of cultures and as Vanita explains, the couple wanted a really lively, party atmosphere as it is so integral to an Indian wedding. “Music and dance were vital,” she explains. “We couldn’t compromise on those factors and we obviously wanted to carry out some traditional aspects of an Indian wedding and loved embracing Indian dress and ritual.”
Favourite wedding moment:
Vishay: Seeing Vanita walk down the aisle after not seeing her for six weeks before the wedding. We were both like giggling teenagers when we finally got a moment alone, catching up on each other’s news and all we missed.
Vanita: My bridesmaids (who I have been friends with since school days) presented me with a locket with all our initials inscribed on it to keep around my neck when I move to live with Vishay in Scotland which was so lovely. Because the month before the wedding was so hectic and we lived apart, Vishay and I had also not seen each other for six weeks before the wedding. The first time I saw him in over a month was from my window when he arrived as I was getting ready that morning, and then as I was walking up the aisle. My dad catering for my wedding was also really special, as was the fact that your sisters and brothers walk you down the aisle during Hindu weddings – it was lovely to have my sister and future brother-in-law by my side.
Photography by Black Box Photography
To see more from Vanita and Vishay’s wedding, click the pictures below
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