kamille & javid

how did you meet?

Our love story started as a seed when I started working at Lennox Petroleum Service Limited about five years ago. We were working in the same department. It so happened that our lunch hour was at the same time so we would both sit and have lunch together everyday where we chatted and got to know each other.

After about a year and a half we had both become really, really good friends. Never did I think that we would have become involved, but after about two and a half years of being friends we got into a serious accident where one of our dear friends died. He was Javid’s cousin as well as my co worker. We were all traumatized especially Javid. I was always there for him whenever he needed someone to talk to or just to listen. As time passed, we grew fond of each other and what was once a seedling was now growing into a tree. We started going out, which we did for about 2 years and well, the rest of it can be seen from our wedding pictures.

What was the process like towards finding your perfect dress?

We started planning our wedding a year in advance. I went to Houston 8 months prior to the wedding in search of the perfect dress. I visited many bridal stores, looked at many magazines and tried on quite a number of dresses. I must give props to my sister in law who toiled with me on my quest in acquiring my “dream” dress. I tried on dresses from David’s bridal to Mary’s bridal to Maggie Sottero’s designs but non tickled my fancy. We struck gold however when I walked into Alfred Angelo’s Bridal store and saw the perfect dress on the mannequin. I just had to try it on.

I knew that this was the one. I felt like a princess. About a month before the wedding, because it was going to be a “strict” Muslim one I had to be fully covered. So I decided to purchase an Indian bridal outfit to get married in. I ended up getting an exquisitely decorated gold and silver gharara at India fashions in Gulf City, together with all the matching accessories.

Tell us about your wedding ceremony?

Our wedding was a Muslim one. It was held on Saturday 5th August, 2006 in the Mediterranean Ballroom at Paria Suites in La Romain. My family and friends all gathered at my home in Fyzabad for 1.30pm on the day. Together with my bridal entourage, my mom and me, we left for Paria in a white super stretch limo. We were accompanied by all of our guests as well as a mikeman who played strictly Indian wedding songs, all of my choice. When we got to the venue, I had to go to my bridal chamber. I had to stay there until the “nikkah” or Muslim marriage was performed. I was not allowed to see Javid not until after we were married.

There were three messengers or “wakeels” who came and asked me three times if I still wished to be married to Javid. Having accepted the proposal, only then was I allowed out of my chambers to join the rest of the wedding party on the stage. Afterwards, Javid and I both exited and went to change for the reception that followed. Javid had worn a crème kurta with burgundy embroidery and scarf. He changed into a black Ralph Lauren Suit with an Ivory waistcoat and tie. I changed into my wedding dress.

Tell us about any special aspects of your reception (cake, décor, etc...)

Apart from all the speeches normally associated with any reception we had lots of entertainment. We had Tassa, Indian dances, a violinist and the Indian orchestra Trishul with Indar Kanhai for the after party. Our wedding colours were lilac and mint green. Three of my bridesmaid wore lilac, one wore mint green and all the groomsmen wore ties to match. We used fresh lilac and white roses for all our floral arrangements.

We also had votive candles in decorated Champaign glasses on each of the table. The hall was draped with lilac and green tulle and other fabric with fairy lights in co operated. The entire area was enhanced with helium balloons and decorated palms. The wedding cake consisted of 5 non alcoholic fruit cakes in two layers with a lighted castle cake top and a waterfall at the bottom. The photography and video was done by Ambassador Photo Studio of Curepe while my nails and mehendi was done by Neela Maharaj of madame Mahaj School of cosmetology. My hair was done by Joann Phillip and makeup was done by my aunty Neera.

Did you have wedding favors?

Yes we did. It was a small snow globe with a bride and groom inside the globe. It was personalized with a ribbon tied at the bottom of the globe with our names and the date of the wedding printed in gold. We also gave out lilac personalized matchbooks and small bottles of bubbles. There was also personalized sweet boxes comprising of a piece of the wedding cake, barfi, kurma, and hershey’s chocolate.

Where did you honeymoon?

We honeymooned at CoCo palm resort in Rodney Bay St. Lucia where we spent six days, five nights. It was perfect.