From The Straits Times    |

lyanavin3.jpgGreat music, lots of dancing and good food for a great time.

It wasn’t love at first sight for Lya Abdullah, 33, and Navin Nambiar, 34, but the couple couldn’t be happier now. She tells us:

lyanavin.jpgThe couple’s engagement photos were planned to look like they’d been taken during the Holi harvest or spring festival in India. Everyone sprinkles coloured powder on one another as a symbol of universal brotherhood that breaks all barreirs of discrimination.

“We had a big fat Bollywood wedding! Navin was Shah Rukh Khan for the evening and I was Kajol Devgan (a popular Indian actress). We are both fans and actually met at a club called The Rupee Room – Bollywood and Beyond. We wanted a feast of colours with lots of dancing and partying.

lyanavin2.jpgColourful table settings, elaborate centrepieces and fun engagement photos for a lively celebration.

lyanavin4.jpgGuests received colourful popcorn (on the table and in boxes) as favours.

lyanavin5.jpg

Our celebration resembled a Bollywood awards night. Navin wore a sherwani kurta and I was dressed in lehenga suits as well as a saree. We felt like a maharaja and maharani!

lyanavin7.jpg

lyanavin8.jpg

The night was especially memorable as family and closest friends planned a typical Bollywood dance number with Navin and I making a special appearance at the end.

lyanavin6.jpg“Putting everything together was just magical. The ceremony was romantic with violins playing in the background. This was our night!”

If I could turn back time, I would have mingled more with everyone and ate more salted caramel ice cream – so delicious!

Lastly, have fun. Don’t sweat the small stuff, don’t mention names in your thank-you speech unless you absolutely have to because you don’t want to accidentally leave anyone out, and don’t forget to smile – no matter how much your shoes are killing you!”

CHECKLIST
Venue Flower Dome, Gardens By The Bay (Alice Wong, 6636-2063)

Wardrobe Lehenga suits: CTC Mall, Moti Nagar, India (+91-011-2511-2201); Sherwani kurta: Libas Fashions (6238-6197)

Hair and makeup Makeup: Sarah Chaudhry (www.facesbysarah.com); Hair: Andy & Weave (Andy, 9027-7355)

Photography Actual day: Twenty4frames Photography (9060-8017); pre-wedding: Mangored Studios, Philippines (+63-927-961-2882, www.mangored.com); photo booth at venue: Hello Forever (www.helloforever.com.sg)

Decor Jentayu Gallery (6281-4181); audio visual equipment and stage work: Mount Zion AV & ENT (9237-1400)

Catering Gayatri Restaurant (6292-4544); live food station: Purple Sage (6396-6990)

Cake and desserts Love Createz (www.facebook.com/love.createz); Salted Caramel Artisan Ice Cream booth (6753-1718)

Special thanks to Our amazing family and friends who made the wedding possible.

Lya & Navin’s wedding was first featured in Her World Brides December 2013 – February 2014. If you’d like to contribute to our real weddings section, please send us an e-mail at tfelicia@sph.com.sg.