Down on one knee on beautiful beach
Proposal almost ended on the rocks
DEVEN Govender wanted to surprise Tracy Naidoo by proposing on beautiful Umdloti beach, along the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, but Tracy ruined the plan when she refused to go to the beach because the sea breeze would ruin her hair.
Procurement manager Dev, 30, had planned to place the ring among the rocks, but he had to compromise and instead go for lunch on February 5 2012.
“After lunch, Dev somehow convinced me to walk on the beach with him, much to my protest,” said Tracy, 29, a research technologist.
“After a few minutes of walking, the conversation started slowing down to the point where I was getting one-word answers from Dev. Then he stopped talking and walking.
“At this point I was pretty annoyed. He was also acting weird. He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a black box with shaky hands. I was stunned when I realised what was happening, and Dev was super nervous. He got down on one knee and asked: ‘Would you do me the honour of being my wife?’
“I was not expecting the proposal, but the moment he asked I knew the answer was yes. To this day, he complains I spoilt his plans for his romantic proposal,” said Tracy.
The couple met through a mutual friend and became very good friends.
“We had so much in common — from the sport we like to the teams we backed and our competitiveness. We got to know each other really well . . . and our friendship grew into a relationship that we both cherish,” she said.
December 15 2013 at Umgeni Road Temple Hall was booked for the southIndian ceremony.
The pair settled for a simple invitation — a cream and burgundy card with gold detail and a Ganesha on the front. On the inside was a prayer dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
Tracy treasures the memory she has of the day she bought her wedding sari — a burnt-orange one with Swarovski crystals.
“I wasn’t too sure if it was the right one. I wanted to look at more before I could decide. Dev insisted it was the one. So I tried it on. It was absolutely stunning and I fell in love with it —and with Dev all over again for knowing it was the one,” said Tracy.
The week before the wedding was calm and stress-free for Tracy and Dev. Their parents had everything under control. After performing various prayers and the nehlungu the day before, the big day finally arrived.
The bridal couple exchanged messages on the morning, then met at the hall.
The venue was decked out in gold, white and burgundy and was beautifully draped and lit up with fairy lights.
The tables were covered in white table cloths that had gold overlays, and different Hindu deities alternated as centrepieces. At each place setting was a gold box filled with traditional sweets and a chocolate bar with the words “Thank you for sharing the day with us” imprinted on it. Along the red carpet aisle were brass ladies on pillars with flowers.
The couple took their place on stage, which had three Ganeshas and floral bouquets.
“I shall never forget the moment Dev tied the thali and the sound of the nagasarum playing. It was beautiful and I knew we were married. It was an awesome feeling hearing the words ‘Mr and Mrs Govender’,” said Tracy.
The guests were treated to starters of spring rolls, samoosas and chilli bites. The main course was vegetable biryani served with dhal, salad and pickle. Dessert was soji topped with almonds and cream.
The newlyweds honeymooned in Cape Town before returning to their Umhlatuzana home in Durban. Tracy is my better half, the bit that grounds me. She is humble, easy-going, dedicated and a great cook — she makes a mean crab curry. She’s my best friend and the completing piece to my puzzle of life. Dev’s a funny guy who can put a smile on anyone’s face, but most of all on mine. He has a heart of gold and is always willing to help, whether it’s family or a stranger. He’s never afraid of being himself. He has an infectious laugh.
I thought my husband-to-be looked handsome. The realisation set in at that moment that we were finally getting married.
I had the opportunity to watch Tracy while she did her part of the photoshoot. I had to pause for a moment to take in how beautiful she looked. I could not wait for her to be Mrs Govender.