Santhya and Japheth

Santhya and Japheth are one of the many couples who’ve had to postpone their wedding due to South Africa’s national lockdown which was effected in March 2020. After overcoming various obstacles which come with planning an Indian wedding during a national lockdown and the many social gathering restrictions, Santhya and Japheth were finally able to have their beautiful wedding with just their closest family and friends present.

Bride ,Santhya ,chose a richly hued red lengha which was intricately embroidered with gold , while her groom, Japheth, opted for a cream and beige coloured sherwani along with a turban which complemented Santhya’s bridal look. They made a simply stunning pair!

How they met:

“Japheth and I are typical high school sweethearts! We met in 2009 when I was having a girls movie date at the shopping mall”, shares Santhya. “We only became friends 6 months later in the beginning of 2010 , later becoming best friends and then somehow we became inseparable and in love! “

Planning the big day:

Initially,I had an amazing time planning my big day, with the most supportive partner, parents and parents-in-law.

We attended every bridal show, I tried on almost 37 Indian bridal outfits till I found the perfect one at Memsaab.

It was just one month to go to our fairytale wedding before President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the national level 5 lockdown. We had to cancel and we lost all hope until November 2020 when we decided that we were going to wed in January 2021. We had more fun planning for January 2021.

However, before realizing we would have to cancel again after the President’s speech in December 2020. It was in that moment, we decided we were going to get married even if it was just us and our priest, so we planned an intimate gathering. Planning the intimate gathering was complete fun and we enjoyed every moment because it gave us and our moms the ability to plan a joint Hurdhee and wedding together. 

Treasured memories:

The most special moment in my wedding was when Japheth bowed his head for me to put his garland on, the priest told us prior that whoever bows down first will bow down for the rest of our lives together and without a doubt, he bowed down first. 

Never loose faith in your love , there will be tons of obstacles and many changes in the period of planning but never loose trust and faith in one another. 

Wedding vendors:

• Beauty in a box Makeup (@beautyinabox): dressing and garlands
• Young Forest décor and lighting (@youngforestdecorandlighting): décor and lighting 
• Vernon’s Catering (@vernonscatering): Food
• Shezaad Alley Photography (@shezaadalleyphotography): Photography
• Vivah Trousseauex (@vivahtrousseauex):sweetmeats
• Memsaab (@Memsaab): bridal wear
• Gangaram’s Tailors (@gangaramtailors):tailor

View the full gallery of Santhya and Japheth’s wedding below: