Ex-colleagues Daryll and Joy tied the knot at Tamarind Hill using our nation's patriotic colour red which also happens to be the groom's favourite colour. The colonial house and its outdoor patio and gardens gave the couple the perfect setting for a rustic, magical wedding that Joy always dreamt of.
Their long day began with traditional wedding rituals at each other's houses where Joy donned a simple white dress for the Sri Lankan Poruwa ceremony followed by a red dress repurposed from her late mother's evening gown. "I wanted to pay tribute to my mom," says Joy, "I wanted a piece of her with me." She even made time time to visit her mother's niche at St Francis Xavier's columbarium.
Proceeding with the solemnisation ceremony after, the venue's decorations were entirely the handiwork of the couple and their friends — their name plates and reception table were all DIY-ed, including the mesmerising archway at the entrance illuminated by fairy lights. "We were standing under a sea of sparkling stardust," laughs the bride.
The bride donned a beautiful Wtoo Julienne lace gown with keyhole back from Lunapompom and carried a cherry-coloured bouquet of red roses and moth orchids. Daryll was sharply decked out in full army regalia. The bridesmaids took to the aisle first, dressed in lovely shades of crimson, tailed by by the groom's dog Krispy. Then the bride followed with her father and brother. After exchanging personally-written vows, the party moved to the indoor dining hall where a sumptuous Thai fusion dinner was served for their 178 guests.
Keeping with the wedding theme, rose petals were scattered all over the dining hall and embellished their three-tiered cake for the dinner reception. DIY spray-painted vases, an old typewriter belonging to Joy's father, fairy lights in mason jars, dark chandelier pieces and the overall wooden decor of the hall added a tinge of vintage to their wedding.
The couple took their first walk as man and wife alongside a spectacular sword procession courtesy of the groom's army buddies. After that, Joy changed into a beautiful red traditional saree with gold trimmings — paying homage to Daryll's Sinhalese heritage.
"The funniest part of the day was when we had our first dance as a couple. We looked like such awkward turtles!" Joy recalls. "We spent quite a bit of the time awkwardly swaying to the music while people watched us. Longest three minutes of my life!"
