This week Tuesday Style Vows (TSV) takes you down south to the union of Kavita Deochan and Sunil Singh at the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, in Freeport, Trinidad, on March 16, 2023.

Amidst the colourful tapestry of life’s celebrations, fate weaved an intricate web of love and brought Kavita and Sunil together. Interestingly enough, it was Sunil’s mother’s birthday celebrations in March 2017 that brought them together. As destiny would have it, Kavita found herself in attendance at the celebration, accompanied by her cousin, who happened to be married to one of Sunil’s sisters. Little did she know that this gathering held the promise of a life-changing encounter.

In the days that followed, Kavita’s cousin would invite them to hang out… Sunil would invariably be in the mix. The two eventually exchanged telephone numbers, getting to know each other better through hours-long telephone conversations. For Kavita, it was Sunil’s love for family and his values. For Sunil, it was her radiant smile and genuine nature. What was certain was that their souls were entwined.

The Proposal

Five blissful years passed, and the time had came to seal their love for eternity. In their own backyard, Sunil, the mastermind behind what would be a surprise engagement, embarked on a mission to create an unforgettable moment. The gazebo was transformed into a haven of romance adorned with vibrant balloons, confetti and flowers. But Sunil’s creativity did not end there! He had a towering banner crafted, bearing the words that would forever alter the course of their lives: “Let’s Get Engaged, Marry Me.”

“I led her to believe that we had dinner plans at 6:00 pm,” Sunil shared. Unbeknownst to Kavita, Sunil had cleverly orchestrated a ruse. “My heart fluttered with a mixture of curiosity and excitement,” Kavita told TSV.

Sunil led Kavita towards the backyard where in a moment that felt suspended in time, he went down on one knee, a ring sparkling in his hand. Kavita, although caught off guard, and overwhelmed with happiness, found her voice and whispered “Yes.”

A Hindu Vivaha

Consecrated in accordance with the Vedas — the sacred scriptures of the Hindus, Kavita and Sunil opted for a truncated version of the traditional Hindu ceremony. Known for their meticulous attention to detail, Sunil and Kavita found themselves stepping into the role of official wedding planners for their own special day. Thankfully, they allowed good sense to prevail handing over the reins to Carolyn Ross, director of The Perfect Day, a week before the wedding.

The rhythm of the traditional East Indian music by the Tassa — an Indian-styled drum — signalled Kavita’s grand entrance escorted by her father Ghansham Deochan and sister Marsha Deochan-Baksh.

For her wedding day Kavita said “Yes” to a beautiful red lehenga which she found at Samsara Couture in Trinidad. “It was love at first sight… I was awestruck, and knew it was the one after trying it on… The lavishly decorated lehenga incorporated a combination of intricate embroidery, the peacock designs and the story it told along the border of the lehenga: of a groom and his Baraat (entourage) dancing on a journey to meet his bride not only struck me as unique and fitting of the occasion, but also keeping with tradition,” she gushed to TSV.

Meanwhile, the bridegroom, dapper in a custom-tailored three-piece suit by Ecliff Elie Limited, awaited the hand of his Kanyadan (gift of a maiden). This is where the bride’s parents give away their daughter in marriage by placing her hand on the groom’s right. After Sunil received Kavita they were both escorted into the temple by a dancer, Shalini Soochit-Roopnarine of the Prema Shakti Dancers, to Neha Bhasin’s song Madhaniya — a popular Punjabi wedding song. The lyrics tell the emotional story of a bride leaving her father’s home to start a new life with her husband.

As Kavita and Sunil entered the temple wedding officiant Pundit Amar performed the seven steps for the marriage to be legally recognised in the Hindu faith. The exchange of rings and the placing by Sunil of the Sindhoor at the parting of Kavita’s hair, to symbolise that she was now a married woman, brought the ceremony to a close. Guests thereafter were invited to partake of a sumptious Indian feast from the Namaste Restaurant.

The Reception

Celebrations continued two days later, at the Roopnarine Grand Marquis Conference Center. Formalities were handled by attorney-at-law and media personality Rushane “Rush Cam” Campbell and the groom’s cousin Cindy Ragoobar-Tikasingh. Both handled their duties with aplomb.

To the strains of Ah Love it by Kes, the bride and groom followed by the bridal party made their entrance. The bride in an off-the-shoulder, sweetheart neckline mermaid gown in lace and tulle with draped sleeves from Now and Forever Bridal Trinidad, and the groom in a three-piece custom-tailored suit by Ecliff Elie Limited both made an elegant statement.

As the evening unfolded, the newly-weds shared in a moment of sweetness as they cut their two-tiered coconut and vanilla cake with strawberry filling by Raees Soodhoo of Tempting Temptations. Guests this time around enjoyed a meal catered by the newly-weds’ favourite Thai fusion restaurant Bal-Tar-Zzar. Adding to the culinary delights was pannist Gerard Balfour from Tobago, who added an extra dollop of Caribbean flavour to the reception with the sweet sounds of soca and reggae music.

The newly-weds opened the dance floor with Nervous by John Legend as a pyrothechnic display added to the proceedings. An after-party brought the evening to a close.

The newly-weds enjoyed a European getaway to London, Santorini, Rome, and Paris with a final stop in Amsterdam.