Thrills as Bollywood comes to Imbizo
And dad gets in on act with ’Tum Hi Ho’ on saxophone
WHEN Marchia Gounden’s sister and brother-in-law introduced her to Mishen Rampath, they could not have known that the two would be exchanging vows less than five years later.
Information technology consultant Mishen, 28, met Marchia, 26, a quality systems manager, for coffee in December 2009.
Their friendship grew and three years later they started dating officially.
Mishen surprised Marchia on her birthday (March 4) last year with a helicopter ride and picnic.
After an adrenaline-filled, magical flight over the Umgeni River valley, Inanda Dam and across the Valley of a Thousand Hills, the couple were taken to the top of a plateau with a view of the city. Mishen went down on one knee and asked Marchia to be his wife.
For the convenience of having guests from out of town, the couple settled on March 22 this year, which fell over a long weekend. About 300 guests received simple yet classy cream and gold invitations.
Marchia, dressed in a cream net saree with Swarovski crystals, and Mishen, in a cream and gold Nehru suit, exchanged vows in a traditional north-Indian ceremony at the Umgeni Road temple.
Close family and friends were treated to vegetable biryani, dhal and soji.
The festivities moved to the Imbizo conference centre at Sibaya casino for the reception. Marchia changed into a burgundy and gold lehenga, which had a velvet top adorned with Swarovski crystals and a burgundy and gold net sequined skirt. Mishen complemented his bride in a burgundy and gold sherwani.
The lotus flower — which represents love, clarity of the heart, good luck, long life, honour and respect — was central to the theme at the conference centre.
The stage décor of the lotus flower, water features and a star cloth were enhanced with lighting. There were also beautifully arranged burgundy and cream flowers.
At each place setting was a mini wedding cake covered in white icing and the couple’s initials in glitter gold on top and little boxes filled with assorted chocolate truffles.
A pyrotechnics display and a gymnastics dance piece formed part of the entertainment. Marchia’s dad, a renowned compère and musician, surprised the couple with his performance of Tum Hi Ho on the saxophone.
The couple’s Bollywood dance medley left their guests in awe.
An extravagant buffet included starters of chilli bites, potato bhajia, patha rolls and samoosas. For the main course there were lamb biryani, roast chicken, braised mutton with cabbage, chicken curry, masala fried fish, fish curry, fish biryani, bean curry, soya prawns in curry sauce and fresh vegetable curry. For dessert there was soji, chocolate éclairs, sweetmeats, fresh fruit tartlets and rice pudding.
How he describes her: I have never come across a person more unique and lovely than Marchia.
Marchia’s qualities include her morals and values, which go beyond those of any person I know.
Marchia’s humbleness and sincerity in whatever she does have always attracted me to her. Also, beneath Marchia’s beautiful features, her drive for intellectual growth and knowledge has always motivated me to be the best that I am.
Marchia is everything that I have ever wanted in a wife and more. My one true love, my soul mate.
How she describes him: Mishen is everything I have wanted in a partner. From the day we began our journey he promised to show me the true meaning of love, something he has done and continues to do. I thank God for bringing Mishen into my life.
His ambition, drive, kindness, sincerity, determination, personality and good character attract me to him. What she thought when she saw him on the
wedding day: Wow, Prince Charming. I am so blessed. What he thought when he saw her on the wedding
day: The most beautiful lady in all of the land. I am the luckiest guy in the world.