Paper-ring promise
It was love at first sight for Magendri, Kuben
ALL it took was a ring made from newspaper to get Magendri Moodley to say “yes’’ to Kubendren Pillay’s proposal.
DATE NIGHT: The couple, both 34, were introduced in January last year by one of Magendri’s best friends, Lavanyaa Naidoo, who is related to Kubendren or Kuben, as he is known. Lavanyaa gave him Magendri’s number and he called her. After chatting on the phone for a week, they met for the first time for dinner at Beira Alta in Ballito after he had driven from his home town of Pietermaritzburg to pick her up in Verulam.
“He is still charming and remains the perfect gentleman he was on our very first date. I knew I had met the man I was destined to be with for the rest of my life. He claims he also knew from the moment we spoke on the phone,” said Magendri, an attorney and tax consultant.
SAY YES: They had a traditional proposal on April 22 last year at Magendri’s home, where both families and close friends met. A week before the engagement, Kuben officially proposed to Magendri on the pier at Umhlanga on a moonlit evening. Kuben placed the ring made out of newspaper on her finger. “I thought it was quite funny and ironic seeing he is in the printing business,” she said. THE DATE: April 13 at the MTSS Hall in Merebank. “It was the eve of Tamil New Year, a great way to begin our lives together as husband and wife,” said Magendri.
THE INVITATION: It was designed by Kuben’s dad, Victor, who is well known in the printing industry. A picture of Lord Ganesha appears on the top right corner. Two red stripes on the left side of the invitation are symbolic of the path of dharma or righteousness that Kuben and Magendri follow. Between the stripes is gold foil in the shape of a rope, that represents the thali — the yellow string the groom ties around the neck of the bride. At the bottom left is a picture of two entwined rings, representing the unity of the couple.
FIT FOR A KING: Kuben wore a stylish cream suit with a red tie to match Magendri’s dazzling green and red silk sari embellished with Swarovski crystals.
CENTRE STAGE: The colour scheme was gold and white and decorating the tables was either an ornamental woman with a lamp, symbolic of the light that Magendri carries, or a decorative coconut that symbolised the purity of the marriage.
GIVE AND TAKE: South-Indian ceremony.
GUESTS: 600.
TASTY TREATS: While witnessing the ceremony, guests were treated to goolab jamun, naan katai biscuits and sev as appetisers. The main course was vegetable biryani accompanied by dhal and salad. Dessert was soji with cream.
LET THEM EAT CAKE: The twotier vanilla sponge wedding cake was decorated with red roses and a white drape.
MEMENTOES: The token was a metal stand on a brass base with a rope linking the base to the top. This symbolised the strength of the foundation given to the couple by their parents.
HONEYMOON: Mauritius.
EVER AFTER: Pietermaritzburg.
TREASURED MEMORY: The couple planned their wedding with both of their parents.