We love how Caroline and Rakesh styled their day! This theatrical couple’s big day was truly show-stopping, with its bright and bold colours and Indian influences…
How they met
Music was the food of love for Caroline and Rakesh, who met when they were members of a gospel choir. “I remember thinking Rak was gorgeous, and I was really nervous around him, but we soon became friends,” says Caroline. Their romance blossomed when Rakesh offered to help Caroline rehearse her script for an audition. “We didn’t spend much time looking at the lines,” Caroline laughs.
The proposal
Rakesh proposed to Caroline in Singapore, where they were working with Rakesh’s company, Secret Singers. “After a day at the zoo, we found ourselves on the roof terrace of the Supertree restaurant, with fairy lights everywhere and 360 degrees views of the city,” Caroline remembers. “Rak asked me what my favourite view was, and as I turned to tell him, there he was with the ring in his hand. I instantly burst into tears – it was the best surprise ever.”
The bride’s outfit
Caroline’s sensational gown was a bargain from Teokath’s sample shop. The ‘Farage’ dress featured a corseted top, asymmetric dropped waist and a full tulle skirt, with fairytale layers. “I didn’t believe in finding ‘the one’ but when I tried it on and looked in the mirror, I was taken by surprise,” Caroline explains. The boutique added a bespoke train that attached with poppers so it could be removed in the evening. Caroline wore her gown with sparkly pink Kurt Geiger shoes and a vintage-style hair comb from Diva Fabulous, plus a diamond bangle – her wedding present from Rakesh.
The groom’s outfit
Rakesh wore a grey morning suit from Moss Bros with a cream waistcoat, cravat and pocket square, diamond cufflinks and a calla lily buttonhole. “I knew Rak would look handsome, but I just couldn’t take my eyes off him when I saw him waiting at the end of the aisle,” smiles Caroline.
The bridesmaids
Caroline’s five bridesmaids wore striking aqua blue chiffon maxi dresses bought online. “I knew it was a risky move, but I really liked them, so I ordered one first and tried it on all of the girls to check it suited them,” Caroline explains. The bridesmaids’ headdresses – another online purchase – were chosen as a nod to Rakesh’s Indian heritage.
The ceremony
The couple were married in a religious ceremony that combined both Catholic and Protestant traditions. “I wanted to get married in the church where I was christened, but Rak is a Catholic and had always imagined his uncle – a priest – conducting the service,” Caroline says. “Luckily, my church was so accommodating, and the two priests jointly performed the service with elements from both denominations.” The couple’s Yorkshire terrier was the ring bearer, while Rakesh joined in with the gospel choir to perform a rap in one of the songs.
The flowers
“Our decorations centred around the beautiful flowers,” Caroline says. “We didn’t have a huge budget, so our florist used silver candelabra wrapped in vines and studded with gerberas as our table centres. My bouquet was so beautiful it made me cry when it arrived at my house – I wasn’t expecting it to be so bold, bright and perfect.
The reception
The couple’s reception was a riot of bright Indian colours, and the delicious menu included options of beef wellington, teriyaki salmon and rack of lamb. “We were so impressed with the food, and not a single plate went unfinished,” Caroline recalls. The guests were entertained with a photobooth, magician and DJ, and the evening ended with the newlyweds surrounded by sparklers on the decking.
The details
The creative couple made all of their reception details themselves with the help of their bridal party, including sequinned table runners made of Indian fabric, fairy lights, bubbles and homemade signs.
The cake
The stunning three-tier wedding cake, with layers of chocolate, red velvet and carrot cake wrapped in white chocolate, was the creation of La Papillion Patisserie.
The honeymoon
Caroline and Rakesh relaxed on their luxury honeymoon in a butler suite at Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica. They enjoyed romantic candlelit dinners on the beach and also swam with dolphins.
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