Wedding Bride floats on cloud nine over romantic proposal
He gives her a bird’s-eye view of his love
SIX months after meeting her, Shermin Bhagalu proposed to Sarah-lee Bensingh.
The two, who were very involved in their respective churches, were introduced through a mutual friend.
Shermin, 29, contacted Sarah-lee, 25, and the couple met a few weeks later in June last year.
On December 11, the six-month anniversary of their first date, Shermin, a project manager, surprised Sarah-lee, a management accounts assistant, by arranging for her to have time off from work so that they could spend a romantic afternoon together.
The couple went to uShaka Marine World, where a diver held a sign that read “Happy Anniversary Shermin and Sarah-lee”.
Shermin also booked a private flight over the beachfront area.
Soaring through the sky, he told Sarah-lee that someone had written in the sand on the beach. He asked her to read the message: “Will you marry me SLB?” Following a loud scream, Sarah-lee said: “Yes, of course.”
The couple made their way to the Beverly Hills Hotel where their families arrived to grant them their blessings.
“A match ordained in heaven and a proposal set in the clouds. What more could a girl ask for?” said Sarah-lee.
The couple, from Durban, booked Edgewood Campus hall for their big day, October 4.
Sarah-lee made it her personal project to make the invites. They were tucked into a sheet of oak, which was engraved with the couple’s monogram and wedding date.
The couple planned the wedding together with their families.
“My fondest memory was our trip to India,” said Shermin. “We met designers and people who encouraged us about how blessed the wedding would be.
“The most emotional part was seeing Sarah-lee try out the first red lengha. There was not a dry eye in the sales room.”
He said the two families bonded during the trip.
The big day finally arrived. Sarah-lee looked gorgeous in a princess-style gown draped in Spanish and Italian fine lace and adorned with Swarovski crystals around the waist and hem.
She brought tears to Shermin’s eyes when they met atWestville Baptist Church, where they exchanged vows in a Christian ceremony.
After a photo shoot, the newlyweds made their way to the reception.
Sarah-lee changed into a red lengha embellished with crystal beads and intricate hand embroidery. Shermin changed from a tuxedo into a red, burgundy and gold sherwani.
The venue was decked out in an East-meets-West theme, with a Victorianstyle stage set up for a king and queen.
Iridescent gates later opened to reveal a Rajasthan scene featuring a towering Indian palace.
Guests were given clear glass jars filled with macadamia nuts and chocolates, as well as miniature versions of the top tiers of the wedding cake.
The four-tier cake was a white and gold masterpiece with the couple’s initials with a gold fondant frame. The top layer was covered with flowers to evoke the spirit of spring. The cakemaker created a model of the bride beside a grand piano while the groom serenades her.
At the reception the 800 guests were treated to canapés of crumbed chicken, Indian cocktail delicacies and traditional samoosas. Starters were roast lamb, Malay chicken and tikka chicken. The main dish was lamb masala biryani accompanied by dhal. For dessert there was soji.
The newly pronounced man and wife opened their dance to Ek Ladki Ko Dekha.
After a magical wedding, the couple spent their honeymoon in Dubai, Paris, Rome and Spain. Gorgeous, vibrant and my dream girl. Handsome prince on a white horse.
How much we loved each other to make this great commitment.
Beyond my wildest dreams. Sarah-lee completes me in every way.