A Hindu wedding ceremony is like no other and Weddings-by-Marius had the incredible opportunity to coordinate and plan an extravagant three day Hindu wedding for Anuradha and Sachin at one of the best Hindu wedding venues in Durban; Ballito at Fairmont Zimbali Kwa Zulu Natal, in October 2019.
Initially the wedding celebrations were booked in Cape Town but Anu and Sachin had a sudden change of heart and settled for the striking Fairmont, Zimbali near Durban instead.
We worked for nearly seven whole months – this Hindu wedding ceremony had to be absolutely flawless
Festivities kicked off on the 17th of October 2019 with the Welcome Dinner hosted at the Zimbali Lodge. The majority of guests booked an entire week’s stay.
It was an extraordinary event replete with a live band, whiskey and cigar lounge. The Thandi Room was bedecked up to the nines and radiated style and elegance even though it was only an informal get-together for friends. A sophisticated braai and colourful drinks were followed by an after-party, of note, back at the Fairmont Zimbali Ballroom where dancing continued until the early hours of the morning.
The following morning, or more accurately, that afternoon at 12h00; all the guests were invited to a Pool and exotic Mehendi Party. The pool and Mehendi décor carried off all the beautiful traditional colours one would expect of a Hindu wedding, replete with food stations and entertainment provided by a skilled caricaturist. While the DJ expertly mixed his music, the ladies were lavishly engaged in their decorative Mehindi body-art painting, whilst the gents had fun in, and around the swimming pool.
That evening all guests congregated on the deck of the sumptuous Bit Restaurant for a magical alfresco dinner, set underneath the African stars. Our team set up thousands of lights to adorn the night sky as well as cocktail tables, comfortable low-set dinner tables, luxurious daybeds and designer lounge nooks so that guests could relax after a day at the pool.
On the morning of the 19th of October, the setup for the main Hindu Wedding ceremony commenced in ernst. The ceremony would take place on the upper pool deck where the traditional wedding Mandap was set-up; a purpose-built, stage-like structure constructed over the swimming pool with a “floating” walkway to reach the sacred alter where the Hindu couple would get married.
The Grooms’ family met at the Beach Pool area at 14h00 to start off the Baraat; the groom’s wedding procession. It is customary for the groom to travel to the wedding venue on a decorated golf cart, accompanied by his family members. The Bride’s family all meet at the wedding Mandap and await, in anticipation for the grooms’ arrival.
Then, the moment everyone at a Hindu wedding ceremony waits for, Anu enters with her Bridesmaids and everyone gasps…
The Bride looked absolutely exquisite in her Sabyasachi Designer Saree. During the sacred three hour traditional ceremony, guests were kept refreshed with High Tea and various other refreshments during the procedures followed by many hours of photo taking, before guests eventually retired to their rooms to prepare for the evening festivities.
Only after 8pm, after a good rest, guests arrived at the Ballroom for the Gala Dinner and Sangeet; a term used to describe a celebratory event during an Indian wedding. It translates to Music Night or Musical party and it certainly lived up to its’ reputation. As guests arrived, they received a choice of Champagne or wine alongside luscious canapés.
As the doors to the Ballroom swung open, a scene that mirrored every dream Anu had perceived about this momentous occasion. Guests were greeted by delicate duck-egg blue linen, ghost chairs and fanciful elegance. A mixture of round, rectangular and square tables laden with gold cutlery and gold rimmed glassware completed the look.
A waterfall mounted on steel trussing erupted in a shower of golden sparks as the Bride and Groom entered for the start of the Reception. We masterfully framed the main table with an abundance of “growing” florals so that it was brimming with colour and style. The waitron service commenced with a delicate mushroom soup followed by an entrée of Greek Mezze, berry sorbet and a choice of either braised lamb shoulder, seared linefish or brinjal carpaccio.
After the meal, the abounding Sangeet (Music Night | Musical Party) began. This epic performance was charged with vibrantly dancing family members, guests, friends, bridesmaids and of course the newly wed bride and groom to make for a utterly momentous performance.
I am so proud of our team, and must add that a world class wedding event is undoubtedly achievable anywhere in South Africa subject to excellent organisation, careful planning and hard work.
We had the absolute privilege of working with this astonishing couple for close on seven months and it must be said, they truly are the most remarkable couple I have ever had the pleasure to coordinate for. Anu and Sachin completely trusted us for their Hindu wedding ceremony… completely….and that is reward in itself. Their wonderful comments in their thank you letter are what we live for. Thank you Anu and Sachin!
If you are planning your own Hindu Wedding or need help with Hindu Wedding venues in Durban, please contact us and we will be delighted to assist planning your own special day.