The Indian wedding began with a mehendi and welcome gathering at Oceano Symphony, a beachfront venue decorated with fresh flowers and LED candles. Guests played a game to see who knew the couple best, and Yuki, who had stayed home in London, was included in Kaur’s mehendi design. Having grown up in Ludhiana, Kaur wanted her outfit to have a connection to home. She chose a gold Rimple and Harpreet sari with a pink blouse, Preeti Mohan earrings and pink Hermès Oasis mules, while Ruparel wore a Tasva kurta and jacket.
The following morning began with personal vows, a puja and the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra. Their Anand Karaj was held at Wadda Gurdwara, established in 1901 in George Town, followed by a langar. As the newlyweds were leaving, a cat approached them outside the gurdwara, purring loudly and allowing them to stroke her. The encounter delighted the couple, who had been missing Yuki. “It was as if Yuki sent another cat to say hello,” Kaur recalls.
Kaur had always wanted to be a red bride, and chose a Sabyasachi lehenga in raw silk, embroidered with red and gold flowers. She wore polki jewellery by Preeti Mohan, gold Bottega Veneta heels and fresh flowers in her hair. Ruparel chose an embroidered ivory raw silk sherwani by Seema Gujral, the first outfit he tried on. “Every outfit Sawan ever chooses always seems to be the first one he sees in the shop,” Kaur laughs. She suspects this may be his way of avoiding “laborious admin”, although she admits that his instincts are usually accurate.
After lunch at the Michelin-recommended Peninsula House, the group gathered at the oceanfront Shangri-La for the reception. Alongside the Anand Karaj that honoured Kaur’s Sikh faith, the couple incorporated a sindoor and mangalsutra ceremony to honour Ruparel’s Hindu upbringing, followed by the exchange of garlands.
For the jaimala, Kaur chose garlands made entirely of tuberose. The fragrance, along with jasmine and the scent of the sea, reminded her of their early years together and holidays in India and Dubai. She wore Le Labo Lys 41, with notes of jasmine and tuberose, so that the perfume would carry something of those memories too.
The reception had Indian food, champagne and a live jazz band, but the dance floor eventually belonged to Bend It Like Beckham. Ruparel, who grew up in West London, had loved the film as a child and particularly remembered the scene in which the family dances in a train to rail gaadi. When someone suggested playing the song, both families joined hands and made their way around the reception venue, with Ruparel leading from the front. It was a scene he had watched growing up, now being recreated at his own wedding.
For Kaur, seeing her parents enjoying themselves was especially satisfying. They had needed some persuasion about the small guest list and the decision to omit familiar rituals, but spent the wedding dancing and celebrating with everyone else. The couple had also asked all 25 guests to give speeches over the two days, and were struck by how emotional the ceremonies and conversations became.
