Ameer and Seshmika

How they met:

In 2015 ,Ameer was assisting his colleague with her WhatsApp account and came across my profile picture, he then asked his colleague (my relative) if he could have my number to get to know me because he really liked my picture. Ameer contacted me over WhatsApp and we started to get to know each other. Ameer lived in Newcastle, and I lived in Verulam, which was approximately 360kms away from each other. We met for the first time in October 2015, it was a quick coffee date. We then met for the second time in February 2016, when we went on an official date and that is when our Long-Distance Relationship began.

They say “Long-Distance relationships are hard. But they’re also incredible. If you can love, trust, respect and support each other from a distance then you’ll be unstoppable once you’re physically together”.

That is exactly how we managed our long-distance relationship. It was definitely not an easy road but we made the sacrifice and commitment because the bond we share is so magical. Ameer would travel from Newcastle to Verulam ever so often, just so that we can spend time with each other. We would plan our annual leave together and look forward to the long weekends.

During our long-distance relationship, after every visit Ameer made, I would secretly keep away an empty bubble-gum box and on the empty box I used to write down the date of his trip to Durban. Ameer moved to Durban in November 2019, which was 68 trips later or rather 68 empty bubble-gum boxes later. This was my own unique way of appreciating all the long drives Ameer made over the past 4 years.

In January 2020, we went on vacation to Thailand. Ameer planned a surprise private intermate dinner on the beach, we sat under this beautiful, decorated chuppah and whilst the sun set, Ameer on one knee then popped the question and asked me to marry him. I ecstatically accepted and said “Yes”.

Planning the big day:

Being the eldest daughter and the first wedding in the family, my father wanted a grand affair. I on the other hand wanted a smaller wedding with just the closest family and friends. We set our wedding date and booked most of our service providers the moment we got back from our vacation which was February 2020 but to our disappointment the country went into National lockdown due to the pandemic.

With high hopes and positivity, we were fortunate enough to have our wedding on the day we had initially chosen. I am a creative at heart and always envisioned my wedding day which was nothing short of a royal affair.

Planning a wedding during a pandemic is a very daunting task, there is always that “stop and go” rhythm. We had to wait for the lockdown levels to change and then continue with planning. We spent numerous months shopping around Durban and meeting service providers to plan my dream wedding. Ameer’s pre-nuptial functions was celebrated in Newcastle. We had to ensure we accommodated travel time from Newcastle to Durban on the wedding day.

My wedding festivities was over a 5 day period and each function is radiant and unique.

Day 1: Pre-Mendhi

My pre-nuptial functions was celebrated at my residence. We have a huge yard so we put up a marquee and transformed it into an extravagant set up, draped with fresh white drapes and colour washed. We also hired Air-cons to ensure that our guests did not feel the summer heat. I wanted to have a pre-mendhi function so that it allows my mendhi enough time to stain and give me the comfort to enjoy my sangeet night. This function was just to bring my immediate family and friends together and spend the afternoon sharing good memories and laughter. I had opted for a modern-day floral pattern on both my hand and feet.

Day 2: Sangeet Night

I had the chosen the best makeup artist, I remember sitting patiently in my room waiting for my makeup artist whom I haven’t met prior to my wedding celebrations. I was so nervous, but I was totally taken back when I saw my final look. Mithal Bijmohan is extremely talented and has such a bubbly personality. He had given me different unique looks for all my functions which was exactly what I wanted. This was a night filled with fun, laughter, and dance. I opted for a colourful décor set up. We had put together souvenirs for all the ladies that attended as well as decorative mendhi biscuits befitting to the sangeet night. The evening started of with a high tea by Indian delights and then our entertainer Malika Khan got my guests bursting into laugher and setting the ambiance for the night. Malika played numerous fun games with my guests and ensured that everyone was having a good time. I also had a mendhi artist that was present to adorn the hands of my guests. I also got the guys in my family to put on a cute hashtag on the side of their palms – #teambride. We danced the night away and partied till the early parts of the morning.

Day 3: Hurdhee Ceremony

The morning started with Décor being transformed into a floral pundal and an electronic dance floor which was installed to set the tone for the hurdhee function. I dressed in a traditional saree for the hurdhee proceedings and thereafter changed into a lengha. We started the afternoon with the Mutkoor ceremony, we also had live singers as entertainment to bring that burst of energy and get my guests into the wedding festivities. We then headed into the prayer and the hurdhee application. Due to the pandemic, I opted to have my hurdhee paste applied with mini brushes. The night was filled with entertainment, we had PD events that kept our guests entertained with live music, singing some of our favourite Bollywood songs. We then had a dance group that kept my guests tapping to the beat, it was electrifying. We danced through the night and enjoyed the Bhangra.

Day 4: Wedding Ceremony

I woke up early that morning, just to ensure that Ameer was on time and to wish him a safe journey for his long drive to Durban.

I always knew I didn’t want the traditional red. I wanted a modern twist to my bridal look and wanted to be dressed in my favourite colour.

Once I had purchased my bridal lengha, I had it customised by a designer that re-designed my blouse and made a second dupatta for my look.  

The décor I choose was also modern contemporary and I went with the golds and Ivory with touches of soft pink. My team of service providers and wedding coordinator ensured that everything I envisioned was perfect and magical.

Day 5: Bidhaai Ceremony

This was the final day of our celebrations; it was a day to relax with both our immediate families. We had a scrumptious lunch laid out by Indian Delights. We spent the afternoon opening all the pots and casseroles that I received on the wedding day and sharing all the delicious banana puri and other treats that was filled into the pots. This was an end to the wedding festivities but a beautiful start to our marriage.

There are so many special memories and moments during the wedding festivities that are magical but the one that really stands out for me is walking down the aisle and seeing Ameer after an entire week, just looking at Ameers expression with his eyes filled with tears and the the biggest smile on his face. Most importantly seeing the love shared between all our family members and the support and constant care that filled the atmosphere with blessings upon blessings.

Advice for brides and grooms to be:

Planning a wedding is not an easy task especially through a pandemic. Remember your love through this process and your wedding will be unique to your personality and characteristics. Ensure you give yourself enough time to plan and organise your tasks diligently to ensure your wedding festivities is smooth sailing. Put yourself first and do what makes you happy, this is your magical day and you want to look back at it and always cherish those moments.

Service providers:

Mehndi:

• Hajra Latiff – Mendhi by Latiff
• Hair and Makeup: Mithal Brijmohan
• Outfit: Bombay Creations
• Décor: Decorworld – Kevin & Pravisha Dhanapalan
• Catering: Indian Delight – Devesh Maharaj
• Photography: Mediacam – Rakesh Bhagwandin
• Entertainment: Malika Khan
• Sound: KR Sounds – Dion Chetty

Hurdhee:

• Hair and Makeup: Mithal Brijmohan
• Outfit: Bombay Creations
• Décor: Decorworld – Kevin & Pravisha Dhanapalan
• Prayer Setup: Vinay Maharaj from M2g Promotions and puja services
• Catering: Indian Delight – Devesh Maharaj
• Photography: Mediacam – Rakesh Bhagwandin
• Live Singers: PD Events
• Dance Group: Eastern Moves Productions
• Sound: Acoustic Vibes – DJ Vishal Ramesh  

Wedding:

• Venue: Kendra Hall – Main Auditorium
• Hair and Makeup: Mithal Brijmohan
• Brides attire: Bombay Creations
• Designer: Nadine Designs
• Accessories: Bollywood Jewels
• Grooms attire: Sneha Creations Umhlanga
• Décor: Decorworld – Kevin & Pravisha Dhanapalan
• Prayer Setup: Vinay Maharaj
• Priest: Pundith Yashveer Maharaj
• Catering: Indian Delight – Devesh Maharaj
• Wedding Cake: The Cake Factorie
• Wedding Favours: Sweet Little Things
• Wedding Trays: Petal&Leaf
• Photography: Media King                                         
• Master of Ceremony: Jeetendra Jugrah