Every once in a while two people fall hopelessly in love. Tuesday Style Vows shares the journey to the altar of Nalini Devi Jagnarine and Sudesh Singh Ramharack.

The love story of Jamaican Nalini Devi Jagnarine and Trinidadian Sudesh Singh Ramharack began in Canada, during a barbecue hosted by Nalini’s family as a welcome respite from the draconian COVID-19 lockdown. There was more, however, behind this seemingly innocent enough gesture. Sudesh was invited ostensibly because he was friends with Nalini’s cousin’s fiancé… or so she thought!

Her aunts and cousin Cindy definitely had other plans and insisted that Nalini introduce herself to Sudesh. Not wanting to be part of what was now an obvious set-up forced the very shy Nalini to further retreat into her shell. Things improved later that evening though as the two, after a few drinks, got to chatting and actually exchanged numbers. Eschew all thoughts of love at first sight. What developed between the two was a loving and amazing friendship.

Nalini, who spent Christmas 2020 in Jamaica with her family, returned to Canada to find that what commenced as a close friendship had developed into a mutual attraction. A year later, on her December 28 birthday, against the backdrop of a light show in Ontario, Canada, came the magical proposal. With her answer being in the affirmative, came the planning of the three-day Hindu ceremony which took place from November 8 to 9, 2022 at three locations: Maticoor at Chillin Villas Ocho Rios; Laughing Waters Villa and Cove Beach, Drax Hall.

Nalini and Sudesh welcomed 250 guests from Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, the USA and Canada. The three-day event was co-ordinated by Kimberly Wong.

First day: Maticoor @ Chillin Villas Ocho Rios

A Maticoor night is a celebration to prepare the Dulahin (Hindu bride), Nalini, for her new journey into married life. The night before the wedding, the women of both families gather at the family homes of the Dulhan (Nalini) and Dulha (Sudesh) to partake in the Maticoor. Nalini and Sudesh sat for this special puja separately in their respective homes. Prayers were performed, haldi (turmeric) rubbed on Nalini and Sudesh, and the two families gathered at their respective wedding houses to cook traditional Guyanese delicacies to be enjoyed at the wedding.

Second Day: Hindu rights and ceremony plus reception at Laughing Waters Villa

It is thought in Hindu culture that marriage is a sacred union between not just two individuals, but two families. The Vivah Sanskara (Hindu wedding ceremony) consists of several deep and meaningful rites, and every object used during the marriage ceremony is symbolic.

The second/third day of the festivities is a lavish party celebrating the new couple and the union of the two families. Influenced by Western customs that date back to the mid-1900s, Nalini wore a white gown for the reception and Sudesh donned a suit. The wedding reception is similar to what we see in North American reception traditions, where the couple is received by the two newly joined families and accompanied by a traditional wedding party of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Master of ceremonies duties were handled by Nalini’s cousin Cindy Narine and Sudesh’s cousin Celia Ragoobar. The reception that progressed into the wee hours of the morning was a feast for the senses. After a sumptuous formal dinner by Chef Ravi Anne and the cutting of the wedding cake by Sugar Dough Bakery, family members and friends of the newly-weds danced the night away to the sounds of chutney-soca music, tassa drums, dancehall, reggae, and in classic Bollywood style with drinks in hand and waistlines wukkin’.

Third Day – Kangan @ Cove Beach, Drax Hall

The fourth and final day of this grand celebration was the Kangan (also called Kakan), a post-wedding gathering and party that takes place separately at the respective Dulha and Dulhan family homes. At the Kangan, a Guyanese-style bush cook was underway. Meat was consumed at this celebration and savoury curries such as duck, lamb, goat, and chicken cooked in big karahis simmering outdoors over makeshift stoves and open fires. The meal was cooked together by family members, with everyone pitching in to make dhal puris, roti, rice, and dhal to accompany the curries. The families relaxed, and reminisced, as they cooked one last celebratory meal to be enjoyed with each other, before sending off Nalini and Sudesh to the next chapter of their adult lives.

The newly-weds honeymooned at Moon Palace Jamaica.