Premi & sam
28 FEBRUARY, 2020
Weaving bride Premi’s Indian culture into her big day made her marriage to groom Sam a colourful, lively occasion. The day itself was a well-planned, memorable time, based on a lifetime of knowing each other. And, as the saying goes, kids say and do the darndest things.
As explained in Premi and Sam’s ceremony by celebrant Hannah Duder, the pair met at Fendalton Primary school. They weren’t exactly friends at school, and Premi remembers Sam picking on her. But this was also the age where boys thought girls had cooties, so she forgives him.
When they were both eight, Sam did test the waters at a birthday party and took Premi behind a curtain and pulled his pants down. She was shocked, so said thanks and left.
Luckily for them both they aged well and rekindled their friendship five years ago at a local bar in town. Having moved on from the birthday incident, Premi approached Sam through his best friend Tom. At the time, Sam was chatting up a blonde
German girl, and Tom interrupted him to let him know that Premi was keen.
Sam didn’t take any notice of Tom and carried on his pursuit with the young lady who seemed to have his attention. But Premi was pretty confident that if the message came from her he might take some notice. So she walked up to him at the bar and asked him if he got the message. His response was, ‘Oh, are you serious? Just give me a moment.’ He let the unlucky blonde down in about two seconds and they’ve been together since.
Premi and Sam’s engagement wasn’t the romantic proposal everyone was waiting for. With multiple opportunities while they were holidaying in Greece, Sam refused to propose just because everyone was expecting it and egging him on.
So, Sam decided the best time to do it would be after the State of Origin at midnight when Premi had already gone to bed. He woke her up and proposed while she was asleep and it caught Premi off guard, so in their eyes it was perfect.
The pair were married at Premi’s parents’ home at Clearwater Resort, with the reception at another section at Clearwater, where they utilised the services of Truly Yours Events, hiring from them a marquee, furniture, bar, lights and dance floor.
Even before meeting Sam, Premi knew she would be wearing traditional Indian on her big day. ‘I went to India on a wedding shopping trip and had the time of my life. My sister and grandparents both live in India, and my parents also spend six months of the year there. So, I had all the family on board to help which was fun.’ Premi did her research before she left and had a
The day itself was a well-planned, memorable time, based on a lifetime of knowing each other.
TOP All bridal photos were taken at various locations around Clearwater. BOTTOM The reception was held in a Truly Yours marquee on a family-owned property at Clearwater Resort, where guests enjoyed the cocktail-style menu from White Tie’s Catering Dept, as well as Little India.
style in mind. Her dress was handmade in Chandigarh, where her grandparents live, by Richa Loomba Chhabbra.
Walking up the aisle towards Sam to Beyoncé singing ‘Die With You’ at her family home, with both parents on her arms, was one of the most special parts of Premi’s day. Sharing her Indian culture through clothing and music made the day truly unforgettable.
‘It was very important to Sam that we each wrote our own vows and only shared them with each other on the wedding day. Daunting for me, but so worth it in the end.’
Following the ceremony, the guests enjoyed themselves in the stunning 32-degree heat while the bridal party had photos taken around Clearwater. When they entered the reception marquee, the bridal party was drummed in by the Beat Singh who played the Punjabi dhol – a double-sided barrel drum used to celebrate and bring the party alive at Punjabi weddings.
‘This was really cool and something different for all of our guests and a way to show off some of my Indian culture. Sam and I ended up doing an impromptu dance which made for quite the entrance.’
Wanting the formalities over as quickly as possible, speeches commenced straight away. ‘When it comes to partying, Sam and I just love it and I was more than ready to hit the dance floor. The band was awesome, and I actually ended up on the drums at the end of the night. I used to play, and I don’t think anyone believed me and I sure showed them!
‘The day and night were perfect and everything we could have hoped for.’
The bridal party was drummed in by the Beat Singh who played the Punjabi dhol – a double-sided barrel drum used to celebrate and bring the party alive at Punjabi weddings.