Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Little about Olivia Constance Nicholas and Dr Sandeep Menon’s relationship is ordinary, from their initial encounter to their first date

Olivia Constance Nicholas and Dr Sandeep Menon tied the knot in the company of good friends and family after an unconventional first date

It was immediately obvious to Sandeep that Olivia was unlike most other girls. Looks and smarts aside, he was most taken by her altruistic heart. Though of separate faiths— she a member of the Catholic church and he a Hindu—she was open-minded to the surprise he had in store on their first date. Neither movie theater nor dressy restaurant, the venue was a Hindu temple. After a priest had bestowed his blessings upon Olivia, Sandeep wondered aloud, “When we have children will you remind them that their dad took you to a temple on our first date?” Overcome with emotion, she simply placed her palms together and thanked him for the memorable time. It was right there and then that Sandeep realised she was exceptional—where some might be quick to temper, Olivia was full of graciousness.

Four years down the road, he knew it was time. Cool sea breezes, the gentle lapping of waves, and rose petals strewn about soft sand set the stage for the proposal, which was held on Rebak Island on the northwestern tip of Langkawi. His speech went as such: “At 26 I fell deeply in love with a girl who brought me doughnuts every other evening. Now grown, she surpasses even my most romantic daydreams. Will you hold my hands as my wife and let me walk you into my welcoming home?” How could she have said no?

Many aspects about Sandeep and Olivia’s relationship—from their first exchange over Facebook to their temple date—were unique, so why any less for their wedding? Memorialised in the Malaysian Book of Records, the couple’s Ipoh ceremony saw the longest wedding veil in the country at 120.56 metres. Designed by Louisa Amy Michael Benzi of Pretty in White, Olivia’s entire ensemble was crafted using French lace, satin, pearls, beads, sequins, rhinestones, and Swarovski stones—their sparkle only rivalled by the joyful bride’s twinkling eyes. Guests also relished in the novelty of there being five pairs of twins, Olivia and her sister Olinda included, present at the wedding!

Malaysia Tatler was privy to Mr and Mrs Menon’s ceremony which unfolded in Setia City Convention Centre. Measuring 6,000 square metres, the new hall comfortably sat some 1,500 guests, including Olivia’s girlfriends whom she’d met at the Miss International pageant in Tokyo in 2016. Hailing from Mauritius, New Zealand, Hawaii, India, Lebanon, Ireland and beyond, many of the beauty queens were in Malaysia for the first time. Sat between their parents Datin Rufina Nicholas, Dato’ Fredrick Indran XA Nicholas, Datin Sheela Menon and Datuk Rajan Menon, Olivia and Sandeep received the royal treatment that evening. An especially moving speech from Sandeep’s dad included valuable advice to his son: “Do love Olivia as I love your mother and everything will fall into place.”