Matromonial bliss through fate
It was Manisha's smile that captured Dhesen's heart. “From the first time I saw Manisha's smile, I knew I wanted to be the man by her side, trying to find new ways to make her smile for the rest of our lives,” Dhesen said.
Dhesen and Manisha Naidoo’s journey to matrimonial bliss is what romantic movies are made of. It was a chance meeting that changed their lives overnight.
Meeting
Dhesen is a branch manager for a bank in Hillcrest and Manisha a supervisor for a company in Johannesburg. They never would have met if it was not for that one special day.
“Dhesen came to Johannesburg for a meeting and I was sent to the airport to pick him up,” Manisha reminisced.
Knowing they were meant to be
It was Manisha’s smile that captured Dhesen’s heart. “From the first time I saw Manisha’s smile, I knew I wanted to be the man by her side, trying to find new ways to make her smile for the rest of our lives,” Dhesen said.
Manisha knew Dhesen was meant for her by the way they communicated. “I could talk to Dhesen for hours and never grow tired of hearing him speak. Every time I picked up the phone and heard his voice, my heart beat a little faster,” she said.
Proposal
After dating for seven years, Dhesen took the plunge and asked Manisha to marry him. “Dhesen proposed to me on my birthday at my favourite sushi restaurant at Umhlanga Rocks,” Manisha said.
Wedding
“The wedding prep was difficult, as I was planning a wedding in Durban and I lived in Johannesburg, but with lots of lists and the support of my incredible husband, we managed to pull everything off. It helped that he stayed to calm through the whole thing, ” said Manisha.
All Manisha’s pre-wedding events took place in Newcastle.
The couple married at Shree Vishnu Temple Hall in Havenside on September 16, in front of 300 people.
The colour scheme for their special day was dark red and gold.
On the day, Dhesen wore a cream traditional Indian suit with red embroidery. Manisha wore a cream saree with a red border, gold embroidery and white crystal bead work.
Wedding invitations
The colour of the invitations was lavender and rust, with a picture of Ganesha, Radha and Krishna on the cover.
Wedding rings
Dhesen wears a yellow gold band.
Manisha wears an engagement ring with a .25 carat diamond with diamonds set in a white gold band and a wedding band of diamonds set in a white gold band.
Food
Vegetable briyani and soji.
Guest souvenirs
Gold miniature dancing Ganeshas.
Wedding cake
A three-tiered chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling, covered in ivory fondant, a red fondant drape and orchid flowers.
Honeymoon
The couple spent their honeymoon in Mauritius.
Settling down
The couple have settled down in Durban to begin their new adventure as husband and wife.
Dhesen’s message to Manisha
“To my other half, I thank God everyday for bringing you into my life. You are my best friend and soul mate. I am lucky that I have such a wonderful woman to share my life with.”
Manisha’s message to Dhesen
“Your ability to make me laugh is the reason I knew you were the one for me. I know I can face any challenge life throws our way, because I have your love and support. You are so amazing and I feel blessed that you have chosen me to share your life with. I am eternally grateful that you were my destiny.”
