Real Ceremonies by Sonal Dave
Wedding Planner – Rhiannon Cobb
Wedding On Day Coordinator – Rosie Fryer
Venue – Round Chapel
Caterers – Fun Thyme
Photographer – Marianne Chou
Florist – Borrowed Light
Hair & Make-up – Katie Coward
Celebrant – Sonal Dave
Music – D26Music
Dhol – Dhol Player
Amal is Hindu and Gujarati, and he grew up in Scotland. Yvette was CofE as a child but is not religious as an adult.
Amal describes Yvette as a strong, ambitious, funny and incredibly smart woman. She is very quick-witted, which makes her loads of fun in a crowd or with friends. She also loves to try new things and always suggests fun things for us to do together. She’s got amazing friends she loves dearly and would do anything for.
Yvette describes Amal as the smartest, silliest, and most emotionally generous man. He has a deep-rooted love of family, an encyclopedic knowledge of cars, the best smile and the kindest eyes. He’ll be on the phone or out of the door at a moment’s notice if someone he knows needs help.
Together, they are both imperfect perfectionists who tend to procrastinate on the things that matter most to us. Although we are very different in some ways, we balance each other out.
Amal & Yvette connected with me months ago, and we got to know each other on Zoom. The booking and contract process was completed quickly, and then they had the questionnaire to complete.
This took a little time to reach me, but when it was emailed to me, and I had the opportunity to read their answers a few times, I realised why they worked so well together as a couple and needed the time.
A few drafts were reviewed, the occasional question was asked, an introduction was made to the wedding planner and coordinator for the day, and the ceremony was then finalised.
The multicultural wedding ceremony for Yvette and Amal was very special, not only because they are a lovely couple made for each other but because we included both families in the ceremony and rituals. From the start of the Dhol player, everyone was energised, and people danced. The family and guests wore saris, lenghas, dresses, suits, kilts and more. There really was a variety in the outfits and the colours for the day.
The ceremony included Yvette’s mum greeting Amal in the traditional Indian way with a tray circled in front of his face 3 times and the red dot placed on his forehead. There were readings from both sides of the family; one was a surprise. They shared 7 promises to each other, similar to the Saptapadi, and I also shared their love story. Yvette and Amal chose to have the spiritual phera, where they led 2 times each, and we placed a fifth candle in the water as a mark of respect for the loss of Amal’s parents and others that have passed away from both sides of the family.
During the ceremony, there was laughter, tears and lots of love for the couple.
Round Chapel is in Hackney, on the corner of a main road. As you enter the gate, there is lots of room at the front where you can have canapes and a Dhol entrance (Jaan / Baraat). There are then 4/5 steps that take you into the main hall, which is just glorious. It is a very large hall with plenty of room for seating and a little stage for the couple, the readers and myself. There are plug sockets available for a band or a playlist.
