The government guidelines relating to coronavirus and weddings have been really restrictive for so many couples, but one bride and groom found an ingenious solution that allowed over 200 guests to share in their day.
London-based couple Roma Popat and Vinal Patel had planned to get married on 20th April 2020, but had to postpone their wedding due to lockdown.
The couple made a joke to their wedding planner, Saheli Mirpuri of Saheli Events, suggesting that they might have a drive-in wedding…and this joke soon turned into reality.
On Friday 2nd October, Roma and Vinal became husband and wife in a traditional Hindu ceremony at their Essex wedding venue in front of 15 of their immediate family. As the ceremony took place at Braxted Park in Chelmsford, more than 100 cars were parked up in a field next door watching it all unfold on a big screen.
As the guests arrived at the drive-in wedding, they each received a welcome hamper in their cars, containing hand sanitiser amongst other things. They had to stay in their cars through, but they were able to order food to be delivered directly to them by waiters.
Read more: How to minimise the risk of coronavirus at your wedding
Following the Hindu wedding tradition, the groom made an entrance and this included travelling around the field in a decorated golf buggy before the ceremony, so he could wave at all the guests in their cars.
The newlyweds also did a lap of the field after the ceremony, so they could again wave to their guests as husband and wife.
Saheli Mirpuri from Saheli Events said: “We’re delighted with how both the wedding ceremony and drive-in has gone. This year has been so difficult for luxury Asian weddings and celebrations in particular, but this was a creative way to still ensure that guests felt they were with the couple on the day, and we’re delighted to have worked with so many amazing suppliers to bring everything together.”
Read more: What does the new normal look like for weddings?
“When we had to postpone our wedding in April, we had no idea whether we would be able to get married this year or not,” explains bride Roma. “We have so many friends and family and we wanted them to be part of our celebration. It literally meant everything to us to have everyone there, albeit in a slightly different way to the one we envisaged. It’s a day we’ll never forget.”
Supplier list:
Wedding planner: Saheli Events
Video: Eagle Eye Productions
Photography: i-Maani Photography
Venue: Braxted Park
Love this story? You’ll love learning about Justine and Rob’s lockdown garden wedding!
