Real Weddings: Amit & Sam

Date: 12th February, 2010
Place: Chandigarh, India

FOR Sam and Amit, Cupid came in the form of a mutual friend who introduced the couple five years ago while they were both studying at university in Glasgow. The pair soon became inseparable and it was two years later that Amit proposed over a romantic dinner, during a trip to India.
As well as being home to both their families, India holds strong emotional ties for the couple and became not only the setting for their engagement, but also their marriage when they returned to the country to tie the knot last month.

While organising a wedding can be a difficult task at the best of times, planning one in another country presented a much greater challenge for the couple, who returned to India so their entire families could witness the occasion. “We chose to get married in India so all our families could be there and we could make a grand occasion.” says Amit.

Fortunately, the families were on hand to make arrangements for the couple locally, leaving Sam and Amit more time to organise important details such as their outfits, menus and colour schemes. “There was an incredible amount of planning involved,” reflects Sam, “but it was all worth it!”

On the cusp of Valentines Day the couple were married in Chandigarh. So everybody could really enjoy the occasion, the couple kept things short and sweet in a traditional yet simple ceremony which took place in the local Gurudwar, attended by close family and friends.

“For me the most memorable part was the actual wedding ceremony itself in the Gurudwara,” says the bride. “Going around the holy book Guru Granth Sahib was a wonderful feeling. While I was a bit nervous before the ceremony I found listening to the verses from the Granth Sahib very soothing.”

The bride purchased her wedding outfits in Delhi and for the ceremony wore a traditional red and green suit decorated with gorgeous gold detailing. “As it was a day time ceremony and in the Gurudwara I opted for the salwaar kameez and went for a proper Sardarni look with the dupatta over my head and the Punjabi jutti.” enthuses Sam.

Her bridal look was completed with gorgeous hair and makeup done by Wavelength Hair Studio, based in Chandigarh and to complement her outfit Amit looked dashing in a cream and maroon sherwani.

For the reception Sam chose an Indo-western style outfit and looked beautiful in a turquoise sari-cum-lehnga dress with intricately embroidered blue peacock detailing and an off the shoulder blouse. Her tikka and jewellery added a traditional touch to the outfit. Again, the couple sought to complement each other’s outfits by wearing similar colours. “Amit looked really handsome at the reception in a traditional dark blue suit with bronze detailing down one side.” Sam reveals.

While their wedding ceremony may have been an intimate affair, the next day proved to be quite another story, with the Chandigarh Club as the setting for the couple’s roaring reception. Taking advantage of the warm climate, they celebrated in the grounds of the club beneath a canopy of silk, with elegant black and blue décor chosen by Sam.

“We wanted the reception outside so we had loads of space!” explains Amit, “Everyone was invited – it was a massive party with lots of drinking and dancing!”

Guests dined on an assortment of sumptuous dishes provided by Kirpal Caterers and after the exchange of rings and cutting the cake, the party really got going with live entertainment in the form of a professional dancer, who taught guests Bollywood dance steps and routines. Yet as the night wore on, no one needed much encouragement – least of all the bride and groom.

“It was so much fun with all the family together and dancing around,” says Sam, “the music was just fantastic!”

The couple and their guests spent the rest of the evening partying under the stars to an exhilarating mix of hip hop and Bhangra. Memories of the special occasion were captured by photographers from Gurudev Studios.

After the wedding the couple remained in India for a short while before the returning to the UK and are currently planning a trip to America for their honeymoon.

by Laura Smith