The verdant estate on the banks of Dedduwa Lake allowed them to keep the set-up minimal—just as they originally envisioned—and really highlight the raw, natural beauty of the surroundings. The celebrations started with an intimate gathering of 20 for the Telugu haldi ceremony by the lake at twilight. The rest of the bridal party arrived in time for the civil wedding at the estate the next evening, on a cliff overlooking the lake. The vows—officiated by the bride’s friend—were hosted on the lawn outside the house under the shadow of a frangipani tree that Bawa is believed to have personally tended to over the years.
The reception dinner that night was at Jetwing Saman Villas, where the Hindu ceremony also took place the following morning. To honour their secular, progressive upbringing, the couple only partook in rituals that placed them as equals. The ceremony was performed by Tamilian priests from Jaffna. The couple chose to forgo symbolic markers of a married woman such as mehendi, kanyadaan, mangal sutra and sindoor, and both took turns to lead the pheras. “I am not really a rule breaker, but I wanted the wedding day to reflect what I practise in my everyday life as a woman. I did not want it to be any different just for that one day simply because ‘that’s how it’s done’,” elaborates the bride.
The couple was also conscious of adding many elements steeped in art and local crafts. Indian artist Reena Saini Kallat was displaying her work at The Lunuganga Estate during the same time as the wedding, so guests were encouraged to explore this. A band led by a local university music professor performed Carnatic music at the wedding ceremony. The welcome hampers were Sri Lankan teas from five popular tea districts, and the cocktails were centred around local Ceylon arrack and Colombo gin.
The floral décor was all about lotuses; not just because they are a local favourite, but also because the bride’s mother’s name is synonymous with the flower. Chowdary even had lotuses embroidered onto her red Benarasi lehenga and organza veil from Marwar Couture. “It was meaningful for me to have my mother woven into my bridal legacy,” she says.
Since Telugu weddings usually have a change of clothes after the garland exchange, Chowdary slipped into a white organza silk sari with tropical motifs paired with a gold blouse from Aikeyah. The accompanying veil was embroidered in the bride’s home by a local karigar, who scalloped its borders by hand. “The idea was to be a simple bride just like my mother had been in the late ’80s,” she reveals. Chowdary wore a strapless gown by Sophie Couture from Baku for the reception, customised virtually, reaching her two days before the functions. For the civil ceremony, the couple both wore suits, custom-made by bespoke tailoring company Gatsby in Chennai, with fabric sourced from Loro Piana. “This was our way of saying that we both wear the pants in this relationship!” signs off the couple.
