About Tora
The Assam bred gladrags mega model moved to Mumbai eight years ago. A popular face on press and TV commercials, Tora has worked on several prestigious campaigns including Tata Safari, Levi’s and Taj Tea.

About Reza
Iran-born Reza schooled in Ooty and later moved with his family to Australia. A man of many talents and varied interests Reza has been shooting documentaries and films for the last eight years. Having trained in Asian martial arts, he is excellent in stunt roles, since his knowledge of the camera and the martial arts help him film fighting best. But the handsome hunk’s heart lies in working with India’s street children. Spotted regularly with the street kids on Mumbai’s Veer Nariman Road, Reza is now working on a setting up a school for street kids in the city.

How they Met
Says Tora: “We met in January 2003, during the shoot of an ad campaign of a Health & Nutrition magazine in Madh Island and coincidentally, we were husband and wife in the shoot too. He was to rub me with suntan lotion and thanks to the numerous retakes there was no suntan left so he got to rub me with coconut oil instead.” Quips Reza: “The first thing that struck me about Tora was her beautiful, gorgeous skin that shimmered even without make-up.” While Reza complimented Tora the moment he saw her, he has no doubt that she fell for him that day itself. “She was all over me”, he laughs.

But what really started the romance was the bake factor. “Since I was free the previous day, I pursued my favourite relaxing pastime of baking and baked lots of cup cakes which I took along to the shoot”, says Tora. Adds Reza: “She probably brought them for the director but she ended giving me the first piece. I told her they were one of the best cakes I’ve eaten and she proudly informed me that she had baked them herself. And I ended up inviting myself to her home the next day.”

Mr. and Ms. Right
“What I liked most about Reza was his warmth and genuine attitude, and there was nothing superficial about him. He talked little about himself and his achievements, and slowly and that too through others did I get to know all about his good work, especially with street children”, says Tora.

It was Tora’s family-like qualities that attracted Reza towards her. “She was leading a jet-set lifestyle, but at heart she was a simple person with a lot of attachment towards her family, and one who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. And I knew she was just the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”

The Proposal
Tora made a trip to Australia to meet Reza and a few months later she decided on a second holiday there. "Reza and me were discussing the trip and when I called him prior to my departure. He just said, 'since you're coming lets get married too.' It was such a pleasant and nice shock. Of course the wedding details were not worked out, but all I knew was that I was going there to spend time with and marry my sweetheart."

A White Wedding
"I always wanted a white wedding so the only brief I gave Reza was 'keep it all white'. I picked my wedding dress, a white silk saree with white embroidery from Mumbai's famous saree store Paneri and a white kurta pyjama for Reza from a designer friend", says Tora. The wedding was held as per Bahai traditions at Jupiters, a chain of casinos in Townsville. Due to the sudden plans, Tora's mother was the only person who represented the bride's side.

"We will all readily abide by the will of god"
Explains Reza: "A Bahai wedding is a small five minute affair, it is essentially a marriage of two families, where consent of both parents is essential. After an introduction and short prayer, the bride and groom state a sentence, which is short, but means a lot. 'We will all readily abide by the will of god.'" Reza's brother was the master of ceremonies and his cute little niece who was the flower girl gave a short speech on the couple and how they met. After the recitation of the short verse, the couple exchanged rings- white bands with yellow gold trimmings and six small diamonds.

A Family Portrait

The Wedding Day Look
Says Tora: "Reza made special efforts to arrange for all the white décor elements. Orchids, roses, lilies, columns, balloons, vases and ribbons.. all in white. The cutlery and upholstery were also in white, while the food included a wide array of seafood and vegetarian delicacies. And since Reza is a dessert-freak he ensured there were a wide array of desserts too".

Tora did her make-up herself and she looked stunning and elegant in the exquisite white saree, silver bangles, diamond earrings and a simple neckpiece.

The Cake was Burnt
"I insisted that Tora bake the tiered wedding cake", says Reza. "But she was obviously too busy that day, and the person in-charge of monitoring the cake also forgot to switch off the oven. The cake was burnt, but I insisted that all the guests eat atleast a small piece of her labour of love", recounts Reza.

The Wedding Cake

Future Plans
Tora and Reza plan to spend time between Mumbai, where Tora will continue her career in advertising and films, and Australia where Reza's family manages many businesses. Reza plans to devote a lot of time towards his street children initiatives in Mumbai and his studies in Neurotherapy. In fact, Tora is also studying Neurotherapy and the duo plan to set up neurotherapy centers in the near future.

Tora and Reza believe that if you are in love and you think you have found your special someone then you shouldn't waste time in thinking and brooding. "We know it's very hard for young people to realise how the institution of marriage can help two people to progress both spiritually and financially. And how you find and form a special and strong everlasting bond between two bodies and souls.The potential of two people coming together as one and blessings of the union is the most strong and unique. So go ahead and take the plunge."