Love in paradise

It was hot in paradise … and  paradise was spelt ‘ Langkawi’ , last weekend. It was  sizzling out  there,  not  merely due to  the soaring mercury levels but also due to  the arrival of an eclectic  group of 462 people,  family and friends … who  converged from all parts of the globe  on to this idyllic island in Malaysia  and  dropped  anchor at  the Westin Hotel to  celebrate.   

The joyous event was a destination wedding and the chief protagonists were  Bheeshma Kumar  and  Ritika Reddy.

The destination wedding concept and this scenic spot were the choice of the young couple, both extremely well qualified — Dr.Ritika  MD and Bheeshma, an engineer with an MBA in finance  from Rotterdam.  However, they were extremely democratic. Along with their parents Raj and Asha Kumar and Nina and Vijay Reddy they did due diligence in checking out other possible venues. Bali was a front runner. But for once my friend, the high profile Nina Reddy did not get her way!

Langkawi was the sweet spot where the young couple had decided they would become man and wife. Orchestrating destination weddings is not easy. I learnt that the parents, the couple and their core team made three visits in the run-up to the wedding. God is in the details, it is often said.   This was very apparent right from Raj’s first mail inviting me. From the moment we alighted from the vehicles at the porch of the hotel, a rolling wave of fanfare music welcomed us… as we were ushered by both the families into the lobby.

And then it was lights, camera, action! The celebrations kick- started with a sundowner on the beach. It was 32 degrees C at 7.30 pm that night. What about the sea breeze ? Heh heh! no show ! But we followed management guru Stephen Covey’s principle “Carry your own weather”. Dressed to the nines and sixes we came together at the uber-festive looking venue.

Warm greetings and air kissing followed. No one wanted their makeup ruined and hair mussed up in the first half hour! The bar was cracking and the show was on. Many of Chennai’s best known faces were present, including lovable socialite Vimmi Deepak, Bheeshma’s aunt.  The bride’s side had first priority on the stage.  Nina, Ritika and their friends gave us a stupendous display of moves and gyrations to all time Bollywood favourites. Hard to beat I thought.

But I was so wrong. Bheeshma, his friends and family had done their homework. When their turn came, his Dubai contingent of friends, cousins and aunts did him proud.  

“Who is the designer?” was the first question women asked when we set our eyes on Ritika. She looked resplendent in a Tarun Tahiliani. Though the party rocked till the small hours the bridal couple made it to the wedding pandal on the beach well before 8 am. Like a good Chennai bride Ritika wore a ‘pattu’ saree from Moksha. Sea green was the colour code. The entire assembly on the pandal blended beautifully with the backdrop. The wedding ceremony concluded just before 9 am. Barely minutes before the first wave from the sea ventured on to the beach.

The grand finale was an elegant reception at the Langkawi auditorium but it could have been in New York or London. The couple entered the ballroom to an eagerly waiting audience and tumultuous applause. They stopped to cut the 3-tiered cake, which proclaimed them ‘Mr & Mrs. After this  ceremony  and a sip of  champagne,  Ritika, radiant  in her Shantanu & Nikhil and Bheeshma, looking  smart as a button with  a new swagger in his stride, glided to their appointed table. Emotional speeches from immediate family and besties followed. Each speech made us shed a tear and they certainly were not glycerine- induced. This evening, like the opening night, was anchored with effortless ease by Supriya, Bheeshma’s US based younger sister. She touched the right chords: humour, pragmatism and emotion. After which we boogied the night away.   

We left Langkawi with fond and lasting memories. For me the ultimate sign-off was the sight of the hotel buggy driving away to ‘forever land ‘with Bheeshma and Ritika …  adorned with the  JUST MARRIED sign big and bold.