Sayantani and Jose, Cochin

Sayantani and Jose first crossed paths at their workplace and a quick introduction through their mutual friends led them to strike up a conversation. And even though, the duo experienced their fair share of ups and downs in their relationship, they stood strong and decided to take the plunge into marital bliss at the serene and luxurious Taj Malabar Resort and Spa. Peppered with heartfelt, joyous, as well as boisterous moments, this fusion wedding was a joy to behold.

How They Met
Sayantani shares, “We first encountered each other through our mutual friends while working together in the same company. In fact, we did know each other formally before that, but actually started having a conversation after our friends introduced us. Slowly but steadily, we started seeing more of each other at weekend parties which then led us on a few casual dates. Hailing from different cultural backgrounds, both of us were hesitant about revealing our relationship to our parents but as time flew by, we took the plunge and both our parents were in complete agreement.”

Wedding Venue
In their hunt for a venue that gave them scenic views of the backwaters or the sea, the duo came upon the Taj Malabar Resort and Spa in Cochin where they could let their creativity free in the large open spaces that are accentuated by quaint architecture and gently swaying palms. With the Arabian Sea just a stone’s throw away and the venue’s impeccable hospitality at their service, the duo enjoyed their fusion wedding without a worry.

Wedding Planning
Acknowledging the hurdles they had to face while planning their wedding, the bride shares, “For us the challenges were two-fold, as we had both religious as well as language barriers. The rituals did not match so it did take us a long time to get two parties to agree. But, luckily, both our parents were extremely supportive and helped us out every step of the way.”

Weddings Functions
Haldi
Staying true to tradition, the haldi ceremony followed a yellow and orange color palette. Equipped with an antique swing decorated with vivid marigolds, the haldi was an intimate affair where the duo was playfully smeared by turmeric and blessed by their elders.

Wedding
Since the duo belongs to two different cultures, namely Christian and Bengali, they chose to have two wedding ceremonies where the rituals of each culture were followed.

Following Bengali traditions, the Hindu wedding ceremony took place on a vast lawn overlooking the sparkling waterside. Lit up by the sun, it was a cheerful ceremony swathed in shades of pink, white, and red. Surrounded by their loved ones, the couple took their phere under a flower-adorned mandap that gave them stunning views of the sea.

For the Christian wedding, the couple zeroed in on a pastel themed decor that was distinctly simple and elegant. Sayantani shares, “For the Christian wedding, we did initially face a few challenges to do the church wedding but in the end, we were able to successfully take our vows in a stunning church wedding ceremony.”

Reception
Glitzy and replete with heartfelt as well as fun-filled moments, the reception witnessed everyone in a joyful mood as they danced into the night to celebrate the duo’s union. Hosted under the velvety night sky, the gold decor shone brightly as the newlyweds took the dance floor by storm.

Advice for Couples
Sayantani advises, “Start planning at least a year ahead to avoid last-minute surprises. In our case, even though we did plan much ahead there were still times when we thought that something could be done better. Also, even if you do hire planners and a whole team, there are a lot of responsibilities that may fall on your shoulders. Hence, make sure you have an airtight plan in your mind!”

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Taj Malabar Resort & Spa (Haldi, Hindu Wedding, Reception)
Wedding Planner: Lumiere Events
Groom’s Outfits: Gabbana.life (Church Wedding)
Bride’s Outfits: Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Hindu Wedding), Label M Designers – Vyttila (Reception)
Photography: Lumiere Wedding Company

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