Saturday 24 November 2012

To weddings, engagements and friendships

Well, well, well, what an exciting month it has been. Never in my right frame of mind would I have expected so many nuptials and happy moments in three weeks alone. Every weekend since the beginning of November has been a joyous, eventful and exhilarating experience.

It is amazing how many of my really good friends stepped into the next phase of life this month alone. It began with Marilyn's wedding on November 3 in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. Marilyn and I go way back in at Kolej Tuanku Abdul Rahman where we both enrolled in the Pre-University course. Since then we have had our share of ups and downs but I am glad we have managed to stay close friends till today. When Marilyn first announced that she would be marrying her then fiance (now husband) Paul Pretheben we were ecstatic for her. We knew Paul to be an amazing person, with a big heart and we always believed that the two were a match made in heaven by the good Lord himself.

Weddings are a great time to camwhore

We couldn't help it, Vasu and myself


Marilyn could not have chosen a better place to get married than the St Anne's Church in Bukit Mertajam. You see Vasugi, Buven and myself decided to travel from KL at 3am as soon as Buven arrived from Singapore. So when we reached the church on Saturday morning at 8am, we were blown away by the beauty of the church. Nestled in between a mountain or a hill (either way it was breathtaking), the church was enclosed by the early morning fog, amidst tall stone structures. We were thankful to be able to stay within the church compound in the hostel provided as we woke up the next day looking at the church. At the wedding service, Mal looked amazing in her beautiful white lace gown with a smile that lit up the church while Paul looked super cute with his white tuxedo. The mass itself was amazing, Vasugi and I could not back tears as Paul and Marilyn said I do. That was the beginning of a beautiful month for us.
The next week was Marilyn's dinner here in KL and Vasugi and I had a ball helping her and her family set up the tables and chairs. We saw the hall transform from nothing to a beautiful backdrop for the lovely couple. After a night of full on bhangra music we went home. For me the night was far from over.

St Anne's Church
The next morning was Pravin and Melanie's wedding, at the Kalamandapam in Brickfields. The two have been together for 11 years and decided to tie the knot, a decision we all were waiting for eagerly. I first met the two in my friend's home some 10 years ago. Back then, Pravin had a blue beard (ya people he was a hippie) and we did not hit it off really well... I have no idea why although Pravin I am sure will have a lot to say. :) Mel was a quiet sweet girl who accompanied Pravin and back then I had no idea we would grow to be such thick friends. THE day came, the hall decked in the colours of peacock, the theme they choose looked amazing. My sister and I arrived early, ready to usher Pravin into the hall to meet his bride. Pravin looked really traditional and handsome (for once :P) in his dhoti jippa while Mel was just picture perfect in her beautiful, purple, turqouise, and silver saree... Her flawless makeup only enhanced her pretty face. The wedding was also an opportunity for all of us friends to get together and wish our tanni partner goodbye... NO MORE TANNI sessions for u dei!! hahahaha.

Congrats Mel and Pravin


well we couldn't help it

After the excitement of Pravin and Mel's wedding in the morning, I rushed home, slept for an hour and woke up to get dressed for Annette and Suren's engagement at Kalamandapam again. Annette was our Uni mate who studied pyschology and is one of the sweetest people I know. Having done her degree, she continued on with her masters and is lecturing. One of the smartest girls I know, Annette has both intellect and beauty an awesome combination for any girl. For the engagement, she wanted the unmarried ladies to help carry the trays for Suren while Vasugi the only married one in the gang (Marilyn couldnt make it) to help her.
Suren is a quiet  but jovial person. The two love each other alot and this marriage will just make the love grow stronger i believe. We walked in accompanying Suren and I marveled at the simple yet elegant decorations Annette opted for. It reflected her tastes to the core.. Suren had a sherwani complete with a head gear and a red shawl and Annette wore a red saree with one of my favourite hair styling methods, lots of cascading jasmine flowers and three roses over neatly pinned up hair. Within minutes, another friend took the biggest step in her life.

Karen and Hema posing while waiting for Annette to arrive after changing her saree

Shyamala and Vijen doing the same


The following weekend was Pravin and Mel's dinner at the Cyberview Lodge Resort. Really pretty for outdoor weddings and parties, their's however was in the luxurious ballroom. Each chair had a peacock feather to match the theme. The girls came decked in long dresses while the men came all suited up. Pravin and Mel were colour coordinated and all perky, something I would recommend for all newlyweds. It is infectious. We danced the night away and continued at the after party.

Party all night long


That was the end of weddings and parties for this year and for me it served as a reminder that friendship is really something i treasure. The fun thing about friends' weddings are we get to be a part of their lives and you feel rather privileged to be given that honour. To my friends, here's a toast to your new lives. We wish you all the best and all the happiness in the world. :)