Our Big Day

VANISHA & JAMES BAKER

By fashion_admin | Posted Mon 04 October 2010

Venue: Carlton Towers and Yellow Top Country Park
Photography: Morgan Photography

The wish
As James is British and I am Gujarati, we wanted to celebrate the best aspects from both our cultures – the most important Indian idea being to set aside a whole week for our celebrations!

Sealing the deal
It started with a civil ceremony at our local registry office in Greenwich, London. I sparkled in an Audrey Hepburn white and black frock with matching fascinator, while James wore a vintage suit. It was a small and intimate ceremony with just our parents present and we followed it by a champagne lunch on the River Thames.

Sleepover!
A total of 105 guests gathered at Yellow Top Country Park, our home for the next five nights. We hired 20 lodges, with en-suite hot tubs and all amenities to keep our guests feeling pampered. We treated them to a day at a country spa having massages and beauty treatments before celebrating our mehndi, sanji, satak and pithi ceremonies – a real feast for the senses with fine food, live music and all-night dancing. For James’ family it was their first experience of seeing how things are done the Gujarati way. It’s safe to say they’re cultural converts now!

Mix & magic
Dhol drums kicked off Saturday morning’s formalities to introduce the Gujarati ceremony, but what made it truly magical was that it had snowed  – meaning I unexpectedly got to have my childhood dream of a winter wonderland wedding! We followed all the usual Vidhay traditions – the bridal car was pushed by my cousins, while James fell victim to the age-old trick of having his shoes stolen (luckily he had several pairs with him!) We’re both foodies, so for lunch we served Gujarati chicken and channa, followed by a dinner of wood-pigeon salad, pumpkin cream soup served in shot glasses, lamb wrapped in brioche with fondant potatoes, and a trio of desserts. Mmm!
Extra touch
To blend the eastern traditions and western touches seamlessly, we held a unique humanist ceremony, designed to allow our friends and family to get to know more about us. We talked about how we met, our hopes and dreams for our future, exchanged rings and made our personalised vows. And seeing as James had five best men, needless to say there were plenty of laughs and touching moments to toast about!