Lovebirds joined at the hip after chance meeting
He braved popping the question four years later
A FRIENDSHIP between Prabashan Gounder, 30, and Kashmeeta Jagnath, 29, led to an inseparable relationship.
DATE NIGHT: Prabashan, a software test manager, and Kashmeeta, an asset management consultant, met seven years ago. Prabashan stayed in Johannesburg and Kashmeeta in Durban. “He and my sister got a lift to Durban. When he came home to drop off my sister, we exchanged numbers. This was the start of a new friendship. Two months later, we started dating. Since then, we have been inseparable,” said Kashmeeta.
SAY YES: During a weekend away at Kruger National Park in 2010, Prabashan surprised Kashmeeta during a candle-lit dinner. He went on his knees and popped the question before placing a topaz ring on her finger.
THE DATE: November 17 2012 at the Woodhurst Multicultural Centre in Chatsworth. “Our venue also had a shrine, where we went
after the wedding for marital blessings,” said Kashmeeta.
THE INVITE: It was gold and red with the Ganesha symbol on the front and inside.
FIT FOR A KING: Kashmeeta wore a burgundy, gold, silver and green bridal gharara laced in Swarovski stones. Prabashan was dressed in a gold and burgundy sherwani, with detailed stone work.
CENTRESTAGE: The décor was gold and burgundy. The stage had two white Ganesha statues on either side of a smaller gold statue. The table centrepieces alternated with Ganesha’s, Radha Krishnas and glitter stone elephants.
GIVE AND TAKE: South-Indian ceremony.
GUESTS: 420.
TASTY TREATS: At the entrance, guests were served falooda. The starters were samoosas and spring rolls, sev and nuts. This was followed by a main course of biryani, dhal, salads and pickle.
LET THEM EAT CAKE: A threetier, round Ferrero Roche cake wrapped with a golden ribbon. The chocolate sponge was infused with chocolate or fudge sauce and decorated with crushed almonds and chocolate balls.
MEMENTOES: Ganesha statues, and Taj Mahal key rings were for non-Hindu guests. There were also little gift bags that had a chocolate and a packet of betel nuts.
HONEYMOON: Thailand.
EVER AFTER: Centurion, Gauteng.
TREASURED MEMORY: Kashmeeta and Prabashan both made all the choices and decisions. “I chose most things as Prabashan wanted me to be happy with all the choices we made,” said Kashmeeta.