of their early days together. During the summer after university, we often went for long walks under the full moon so under the full glow of the Wolf Moon and the stars, I proposed. It was a beautiful, heartfelt surprise, and Lily said yes under the night sky.” SETTING THE SCENE The venue that the couple chose for their wedding was Lily’s family farm, a place rich with sentimental value and history. “We held the ceremony in a field closest to Lily’s grandpa’s house, known as The Bank, Shiv tells us. “This location held special significance as it was the same field where Lily’s mother and stepfather, and more recently brother got married. The setting beautifully encapsulates Lily’s childhood memories of growing up on the farm. The rolling hills, the scent of freshly cut grass, and the sunlight casting a golden hue over the fields created a picturesque backdrop that seemed to stretch forever. It was the perfect place to celebrate our love and start a new chapter in our lives, surrounded by the timeless beauty of the countryside and the warmth of family traditions.” Lily and Shiv’s wedding was a beautiful fusion of two cultures and the union of their families. “Lily grew up in a Cornish Christian family, and I was raised in an Indian Sikh family,” Shiv tells us. “To symbolize this union, the St. Piran Flag of Cornwall and the Sikh Khalsa flag were raised at the entrance to the farm, an idea suggested by Lily’s Cornish grandpa.” Shiv tells us, “There was immense excitement from Lily’s family to experience an Indian wedding, and I always wanted my side to appreciate the beauty of Cornwall and a traditional English wedding. For our wedding feast, we served an Indian buffet featuring everyone’s favourite dishes from a local restaurant called Sultanz. In the evening, we delighted our guests with Cornish pasties made by Phillips. Although the main factory in Hayle was fully booked, the local branch in Camborne went the extra mile, working two extra hours to bake more than 200 pasties for our wedding.” Lily and Shiv hired a large marquee to accommodate their guests and potential rain, arranging the tables in an oval setting with two tables in the centre. “The head table was placed on one side of the oval, with the DJ set up opposite. It was like an arena when we entered as the wedding couple,” Shiv says. “We walked around the oval like royalty and everyone was clapping and cheering. It was a proper wedding procession.” The flowers were locally sourced from a neighbouring farm. “The wildflowers symbolized the beauty in unity despite differences and the vibrant mix reflected our theme of bringing together diverse backgrounds to create something beautiful, Shiv says. “Lily’s mother, Rebecca, expertly made our wedding cake, while Lily’s grandmother, Jennifer, put together an amazing spread of desserts, including her signature lemon drizzle and my favourite, chocolate cornflake crispy cakes. The table names were handwritten by Lily and her bridesmaids, adding a personal touch. Each centrepiece featured locally sourced wildflowers, and the place names were also crafted by hand, creating a warm, personal atmosphere.” LOOKING THE PART “Our attire beautifully reflected the union of our cultures and the meaningful traditions that shaped our special day,” Shiv tells us. “Lily wore a stunning white wedding dress sewn by her mother, a cherished tradition passed down through the generations. The dress was elegant and timeless, embodying both sentimental and classic elements. To accessorize, she chose blue shoes as her something blue, pearl earrings, and an emerald necklace. These accessories added a touch of personal significance and elegance to her ensemble. In the evening, Lily changed into a beautiful red Indian wedding dress, symbolizing her embrace of both cultures.” Shiv wore a white Indian Sherwani, adorned with intricate gold embroidery. “To complement the Sherwani, I draped a golden shawl over one shoulder, adding a regal touch,” he tells us. “I completed the look with a cream-coloured turban and matching shoes, along with a Kirpan, the ceremonial Sikh sword, signifying my heritage and faith. In the evening, I changed into an English red velvet tuxedo, representing the blend of both cultures and adding a sophisticated touch to the celebrations and to coordinate with Lily.” “For me, one of the standout moments was receiving my wedding present—a beautiful Sikh sword, which held deep cultural and personal significance.” - Shiv 41 REAL WEDDINGS
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