Tall and dark, but hardly a stranger

A couple who have known each other for virtually their entire lives tied the knot in a traditional south Indian, Sri Lankan-style wedding.

Supply chain management officer Mayurathan Mahesan and lecturer Tarisma Maharaj, both 27, met at the age of five at Columbia Primary School in Greenwood Park, Durban. The two moved on to different schools until their paths crossed again in 2000 when they both attended Effingham Secondary School.

In their matric year, four years after meeting again, the pair started dating.

Sticking to tradition, they opted to have a traditional proposal and Mayurathan's family, who are from Sri Lanka, went to Tarisma's home on January 9 last year to ask for her hand in marriage.

As soon as the date was set for April 12 this year and the Kendra Hall booked for the ceremony, the wedding planning began with the assistance of the couples' parents and siblings and their wedding coordinator, Eresh Bhagwan.

"There was a lot of excitement, nerves and emotions," said Tarisma.

"We compromised in certain aspects to make everyone happy, but, more importantly, to have a smooth, hassle-free, fairytale wedding."

Burnt-orange embossed cards with paisley print and the couple's initials on the front were custom made in India. Leaflets inserted into the cards gave details of the pre-wedding and wedding.

"Working with both families, sharing ideas and having extended family come to our homes to help in the preparation are memories that we shall treasure forever," said Tarisma. "There was much merriment and song and dance in the days leading up to the big day."

Two days before the wedding, Tarisma was decorated with mendhi at a function held in the presidential suite of the Kingsmead cricket stadium. The following day, the family gathered for Tarisma's hurdee ceremony, whereas her groom enjoyed an evening of karaoke and dance with friends and family.

"We were not supposed to see each other for one month until the wedding day, but we broke the rules a bit - without our families knowing - and saw each other until the day before the wedding," said Tarisma.

For the wedding, she wore a burnt-orange bridal outfit with Swarovski detail. Mayurathan was dressed in a burgundy and beige sherwani jacket with embossed beaded work and a cream and gold vesti.

After performing a few rituals, Tarisma changed into a burgundy and gold sari embellished with Swarovski crystals.

The hall was beautifully decorated in cream and gold with red and burnt-orange roses. The tables were covered in cream and gold and had antique-look centrepieces in the form of Radha and Krishna. At each place setting was a pamphlet that gave the details and an explanation of the wedding ceremony.

In a clear box was a fruit cake covered in white fondant and the couple's initials in gold.

Following the ceremony, the 350 guests were treated to savoury rice, roti, chana curry with fresh cream and tomato, brinjal chutney with double beans, and paneer makhani accompanied by papad, pickles and salad. For dessert there was vermicelli with almonds.

The newlyweds and their guests later made their way to the Greenwood Park Temple hall for a reception. The venue was decorated with silver and grey frame structures and hanging red posies and crystals.

During the formalities, the guests were served starters of Sri Lankan pakoda, pea kachori, potato samoosa and sweetmeats.

Before opening the dancing to Bryan Adams's Everything I Do, the couple cut a three-tier cake, which was covered with red roses and crystals. Each layer had a different flavour: red velvet, vanilla sponge and chocolate ganache.

After a tiring day, the couple went on honeymoon to Cape Town and then settled in their home in Effingham Heights.