Real Ceremonies by Sonal Dave
Neel is Jain, and Olivia is English. Both are very family-oriented and love spending time with family, playing games, and being together.
Neel shared that Olivia is a beautiful spirit. She’s funny, goofy, kind, energetic and brings joy and laughter to everyone around her. People love her immediately, but she’s her own worst critic. She’s incredibly loving and would do anything for her people. She loves dancing and being silly, playing games, and having a laugh. She makes me happy every day.
Olivia shared that she was initially drawn to this very friendly, chatty guy by his sheer enthusiasm for life and knack for exaggeration when telling stories. Neel is one of the friendliest, happiest and most passionate people I know, but he’s also incredibly kind, generous, calm, thoughtful and loyal. I trust him completely – and have seen his loyalty in action in moments when he won’t even tell me the latest news a close friend has confided in him. He’s just a really good person, and I can happily spend endless hours at his company.
It was a beautiful summer’s day, and the sun was out, offering a Vit D top-up opportunity. The ceremony started with a loud and energetic Jaan, with a dhol player, and everyone joined in the fun and even learned a few dance moves.
Then followed Neel’s entrance to his ponkhwanu (welcome) and the breaking of the clay pot, allowing him to step forward towards his wedding ceremony. The Antarpat (cloth) was placed in front of Neel so that he could not see Olivia as she walked down the aisle, and as the Anarpat was dropped, Neel and Olivia’s reaction was just fantastic.
Olivia and Neel then performed the short Ganesh Puja while I sang the Gayatri Mantra. The musicians from D26 Music accompanied me throughout the ceremony, performing songs chosen by the couple and traditional Indian wedding music. Neel’s mum joined us in the mandap and recited the Jain Navkar mantra & Manglik Stotra.
After the garland ceremony, I shared the love story of how the couple met and the proposal, leading us to the phera, the saptapadi and the mangalsutra.
We had a fun game of Koda Kodi, and I won’t tell you who won. I then gave my final blessing before they walked back up the aisle to “I’m a Believer” by The Monkees.
Together, we created a ceremony representing them as individuals and a couple.
Northbrook Park is a stunning Grade-II listed 18th-century manor house in the picturesque Hampshire countryside near the Surrey border. There are breathtaking grounds and gardens, a tranquil lake, and a charming family of resident swans. The manor house has stunning period features, and together with Northbrook Park’s gorgeous gardens, it provides a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding photographs. It is the perfect setting for your special day and celebrant wedding ceremony.
The venue suits all cultures, has parking and can accommodate up to 250 guests in various elegant event rooms. It offers an idyllic backdrop for any celebration. There are options for both an outdoor and indoor wedding ceremony.
Sonal gave us such a personal, heartfelt and engaging ceremony, it was the perfect way to start our wedding day. Also, the band – wow! The music made it such an intimate and emotional setting. Sonal’s stories and explanations also made the whole experience so much more interesting for our guests and we’ve had so many compliments on the ceremony.
Thank you so much, Sonal, for being the perfect celebrant for us! Props for improvising around power cuts and unplanned helicopter flyovers!!
Neel and Olivia
Multicultural Celebrant Wedding Ceremony
Venue – @northbrookparkweddings
Wedding Coordinator – @r1events
Mandap & Decor – @gayatriweddings
Photography – @arjphotographyuk
Videography – @andreiweddings
Caterer – @annapurna_caterers
Florist – @littleandbloom
Make-up – @weddingmakeupandhair
Celebrant – @sonaldave68
Ceremony Music – @D26Music
Band – @distractionsband
Harpist – @cecily.harpist
