Natasha and Thomas, England
Florists by profession, this bride’s mum and aunt added fabulous flower power to the wedding decor.
UK-based Natasha and Thomas hosted two beautiful wedding ceremonies that incorporated their multicultural backgrounds. One was an intimate affair held at the bride’s house, and the other was hosted in a heavenly heritage property in Surrey. Bride Natasha takes us through some special moments here.
How They Met
Natasha shares, “Thomas and I are both accountants and met at work eight years ago. Our connection was instantaneous, and our journey since then to this day has been beautiful.”
Proposal
“I had just gotten home after working late one evening. Since it was a Monday, I didn’t have even the slightest inkling of something special awaiting me. I walked in to find candles everywhere, and the love of my life Thomas on one knee in the middle of the room. I couldn’t have imagined a better proposal. We flew to India later that week with a couple of our friends and had the most amazing two weeks celebrating and visiting beautiful cities!”
Wedding Venues
“Our Indian wedding was held in the garden of my family home. I had always dreamed of getting married from my home, and it felt very special to wake up in my bedroom and head down the stairs I had descended a thousand times, finally as a bride. Our civil wedding was held at Botley’s Mansion in Surrey. Seeing its beautiful interiors and the sprawling grounds, we knew we wanted to get married there the moment we laid eyes upon it.”
Wedding Planning
Talking about the planning process, the bride shares, “My mum and aunt are both florists and put together the mandap with beautiful marigold blooms customary to Hindu rituals. Our guests felt transported to India when they arrived.”
Natasha’s childhood friend, Kajal Patel gave her a vibrant makeover for the Hindu wedding, while Danielle Wilder from Amore Beauty Salon created a glowing visage for her for the Civil Ceremony. The couple entrusted Maria Rão Photography for their wedding pictures, who they knew previously from Natasha’s cousin’s wedding which she had shot in Portugal.
Wedding Functions
Mehndi
Natasha shares, “Our wedding kicked off with a small mehndi evening hosted by my aunt and uncle. It was a lovely sundowner function organized in the garden, and an amazing live Indian band enchanted everyone with their music through the night. It was the perfect ‘meet and greet’ opportunity for families from both sides to mingle before the week ahead.”
Vidhi
“The next event was a traditional ‘vidhi’ ceremony held in my family garden. The function was an intimate affair with just my friends and family who smeared me with customary turmeric paste. My friends had to bathe me in milk to get the paste off!”
Hindu Wedding
The Indian wedding was organized in the front garden of the bride’s familial home and was a vibrant affair with lots of flowers. She shares, “Thomas had never been to an Indian wedding. So his first ever experience of an Indian wedding turned out to be his own, and he loved every second of it. For the ceremony, I wore a purple blouse with a silk Raw Mango lehenga which my mother purchased in India. She also procured Thomas’s wedding outfit from India as well.”
Civil Wedding
The civil ceremony was held at Botley’s Mansion, a heritage property, in Surrey. The function took place outdoors, and the reception that followed the civil ceremony was hosted inside the atrium with a beautiful glass roof. The decor was classy with a profusion of white flowers. Natasha wore a cathedral veil and a strapless lacy gown from Pronovias, while Thomas opted for a blue three-piece suit from Reiss.
Advice for Couples
“The wedding day and week flies by! Make sure you take a moment for yourselves to look around at the room, full of people you love and drink in the importance of the feeling. It’s a memory that will stay with you forever!”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Botley’s Mansion, Surrey, UK
Groom’s Outfits: Reiss (Civil Wedding)
Bride’s Outfits: Raw Mango (Hindu Wedding), Pronovias (Civil Wedding)
Makeup: Kajal Patel (Hindu Wedding), Danielle Wilder, Amore Beauty Salon (Civil Wedding)
Hair: Terry, Hair EQ
Entertainment: Sam Totolee
Photography: Maria Rão Photography
