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Embracing Multicultural Love: A Glimpse Into Brian and Nayanthi's Fusion Wedding Ceremony

Updated: Aug 21

A couple in red traditional attire smiles at each other, holding flowers, in front of a wooden paneled backdrop, exuding joy and warmth.
Brian and Nayanthi had a unique modern fusion wedding, blending Sri-Lankan, Chinese and German wedding traditions with a personal twist. Photo credits: Shot by Bek

As the Fusion Wedding Celebrant, I collaborate with couples from various backgrounds and beliefs. It is always a delightful surprise to discover which cultures each couple represent, and to explore how the wedding ceremony can honour their diversity whilst celebrating their unity in a way that feels right for them.


With Brian and Nayanthi, this excitement was mutual when we got to know each other. They already had some beautiful ideas on how to celebrate their love and cultures, which are deeply rooted in Sri Lankan, Chinese, and German heritages, in a personalised and meaningful way. 


Below is a glimpse of their unique wedding ceremony, which was not only infused with numerous meaningful touches, but also a feast for the senses!


Fusion Wedding Ceremony on the Traditional Poruwa

Brian and Nayanthi's fusion wedding ceremony took place on the Poruwa, a wooden platform on which Sri-Lankan weddings traditionally take place. The couple chose for a modern interpretation of the Poruwa, which was beautifully decorated with flowers, and held the ritual items that would be used throughout the ceremony.


Wedding ceremony showing a bride in a red dress, a wedding celebrant. in a light pink jumpsuit with white top and a groom in a red jacket and back trousers on a stage decorated with flowers and wooden panels. Some guests can be seen from the back.
Poruwa at Brian and Nayanthi's multicultural wedding ceremony. Photo credits: Shot By Bek

A Love Story Brewed Over a Bubbling Hot Pot

We kicked off the ceremony with an engaging account of Nayanthi and Brian's story, which began with an encounter over a bubbling hot pot. As their love story deepened and evolved, they found themselves delving into many more hot pots, competing over who could handle the spiciest foods. Beyond the spice, their relationship is a delicious blend of laughter, mutual care, family love and an ongoing saga of Nayanthi's attempts to convince Brian of the wonders of the magical and wholesome world of fruits and vegetables.


Infusing Personal Touches into Sri Lankan and Chinese Wedding Traditions

Following the retelling of Brian and Nayanthi's story, we continued with a selection of Sri Lankan and Chinese wedding traditions that resonated with them. While honouring the original meaning of the rituals, Brian and Nayanthi infused these traditions with their own personal touches.


Honouring Ancestors with Betel Leaves

First, we honoured the ancestors by dropping betel leaves on the ground. In traditional Sri-Lankan wedding ceremonies, betel leaves show respect to elders and seek their blessings for the couple’s future. 


Wedding ceremony showing a bride in a red dress, a celebrant in a light pink jumpsuit and a groom in. a red jacket and black trousers on a stage with a panelled backdrop decorated with white, red and pink flowers. The couple and celebrant are holding big green leaves.
Betel Leaves: a Sri-Lankan wedding tradition to honour ancestors. Photo credits: Shot by Bek

Chinese Tea Ceremony with a Sri Lankan twist

We continued with a Chinese Tea Ceremony, a wedding tradition where the couple, in a gesture of respect and gratitude, kneels and serves tea to their elders, symbolising the union of families. Brian and Nayanthi served tea to their grandparents and parents. In a traditional tea ceremony, the elders often in return give the couple gifts and red envelopes, but Brian and Nayanthi chose to be offered coconut milk rice, following Sri Lankan tradition.  Brian’s maternal grandparents were honoured by two photos, presented by Brian’s aunt and uncle.


Couple in red kneel, offering tea to seated elders in a floral-decorated room. Formal attire, solemn mood, wooden floor, and white walls.
Brian and Nayanthi offer Nayanthi;s parents tea as part of the Chinese Tea Ceremony. Photo credits: Shot By Bek

Tying the fingers and vow rituals

In the next ritual, Brian and Nayanthi's fingers were tied together with a thread by their fathers, symbolising their unity. They then shared their personal vows, which they had hand written on postcards. After the vows, their mothers poured water over their tied fingers to solidify the unity.


A smiling couple in red traditional attire exchange rings and a card in an ornate room, exuding joy and celebration.
Brian shares his vows while the couple's fingers are tied together. Photo credits: Shot by Bek

A beautiful German wedding reading

To round it off, we read a German wedding reading:


Ihr seid nun eins, ihr beide

By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


Ihr seid nun eins, ihr beide,

und wir sind mit euch eins.

Trinkt auf der Freude Dauer

ein Glas des guten Weins!

Und bleibt zu allen Zeiteneinander zugekehrt

durch Streit und Zwietracht werde

nie euer Bund zerstört.


~ English Translation ~


You Two Are One Now

By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


You two are one now

and we are with you one.

Drink to happiness and permanence

a glass of good wine.

And remain at all times

turned towards each other

and fight and conflict may

never break your bond.



Cheering the Newly-Weds on with a German Wedding Tradition

At the end of the ceremony, Nayanthi and Brian had chosen two more special rituals: just before they walked back down the aisle, Brian's brother cut a coconut in half - a ritual act that symbolises, amongst other things, the couple's willingness to face challenges together and their commitment to their union.


This challenges came perhaps sooner than they has expected! At the bottom of the aisle, a fun German wedding tradition awaited them: Brian and Nayanthi were presented with. a sheet. They had to cut out a big heart in order to make their way out. All guests cheered the newly-weds on as they successfully completed this first team challenge as a married couple!


It has been an amazing experience to help Brian and Nayanthi bring their dream wedding ceremony to life.


Here's to a love that’s as rich and flavourful as their favourite shared dish: spiced with joy, seasoned with fun, and always served with a warm smile. Congratulations to this wonderful couple!


A couple in red attire joyfully cut through a white sheet with red hearts in a festive room, surrounded by smiling guests.
Nearly there! Brian and Nayanthi cut out the heart as part of a German wedding tradition. Photo credits: Shot by Bek


Dream team at Nayanthi and Brian's Unique Fusion Wedding

Brian and Nayanthi had a dream team around them to make their unique wedding vision happen and it was a pleasure to work with these talented suppliers:


Photographer: Shot by Bek

Event Design: Carby and Co

Wedding stationary: Notes Studio

Hair and Make-up: Melinda Bridal

Cocktails: Barz 8 Event

Caterers: Roistan Caters











 
 
 
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