Music Actors and models in South Africa operate in a competitive environment, so does it make sense to move to a market where the competition is even stiffer? It certainly did for him Marisha Venkat Swami who headed for India to make the most of the opportunities that its fashion and full industries have to offer. She's now an established name in Mumbai and enjoys a jet-setting lifestyle from her base in Hong Kong. She Marisha returned to South Africa recently to celebrate her wedding with friends and family and she invited Mehla to join. At the Derbanite by birth, Himasya Venkat Swami was 13 when she began her modeling career. But she did the sensible thing and completed her BSC before heading to Mumbai to walk the ramp. She'd hardly arrived when she was booked as a contestant on the Kingfisher calendar hunt, which she won. She made her film debut in the title song of I Hate Love Stories and career wise her star has continued to rise. But in the meantime, she's found her soulmate. And Himasya decided it was time to return to South Africa to celebrate her happiness with the people dear as to her. She adopted for an old school approach with multiple events. Welcome to the first of my wedding celebrations. It's so good to have you here and share this amazing, auspicious time with me. To come through with me, to get my Mandy done. Apart from its spiritual significance, the Mandy's ceremony is also an opportunity for friends and family to meet. To come home and have all my friends and family with me, it feels like everything is coming together. And you need that solid foundation when you're going into this new life together. The jayosh and I met in India. He's from London. Literally, I think it was love at first sight. Well, for him, he did chase after me three times and I said, no. Perseverance will get you very far. We then moved to Hong Kong because of his work. And now we're getting married in South Africa. So the connections we've made and the friends that we've made, they span the entire grow. That evening, the sun geet was held. Traditionally, this ceremony wasn't all ladies of fair. But in keeping with contemporary custom, Imasha's sun geet was for everyone to enjoy. Sun geet means music. And nowadays, Bollywood hits have replaced folk songs on the playlist. The next day, everyone had an opportunity to relax before preparations began for the actual wedding. Everyone's in very, very high spirits, especially me. But I think it's normal to have butterflies before the big day. My outfit looks fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. I got it from India, an amazing designer's called JJ Valiya. They do beautiful handwork. I went for a very modern kind of look. So more modern on the actual patterns of it. But keeping with that Indian heritage work, you know, the gold thread. And I want the bright colours. I want to do all school, red, Indian bride, you know, the whole nine yards. Go, go, go. Good to go. Yeah, we're good to go. Meanwhile, the groom was getting ready and collecting his thoughts. As the guests arrived at the venue, which had been planned on a secret garden theme. A tented shrine known as a mundup had been set up for the ceremony. In keeping with custom, the groom rode to the venue mounted on a mare and accompanied by his family. The wedding ceremony began with the performance of Pooja to invoke the blessings of the Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. When the bride arrived, our jaws just dropped. She was absolutely gorgeous. The epitome of a goddess. A cloth was held up in front of the groom to prevent him from seeing his bride until he was seated before him. Following tradition, the groom faced west and the bride east. They held hands and exchanged golems. The next stage involved the exchanging of vows in the ritual of Saptahavi. I take your hand for prosperity, good children and happiness. You've been entrusted my care for the fulfillment of conjugal life. I accept your hand for common welfare. May you live long with me in love, concord and understanding. From today, let us surrender ourselves to each other. And never be a... Saptahavi can be translated as seven steps, and requires the bride and groom to complete seven circuits around the holy fire, all ugly. Once this has been completed, they are considered to be man and wife. By applying a streak of vermillion dye called Sinderam to his wife's forehead, Vijesh indicated that she was now a married woman. With the ritual and formalities complete, the families could relax and enjoy the occasion, which many of them had travelled far to attend. We've got London, Meets, Durban. They met in Mumbai, they're now in Hong Kong, so it's the whole international element to it. We had the coming together of our Tamil family and the Gujarati family. It was a fusion of these two cultures that we brought together. They just created this extra special and beyond sense experience. Himasya was a beautiful bride, and together they made a handsome couple. I think with the Indian ceremony, the moment that I felt the most special was when I actually walked in, and I didn't expect it to happen, but this wave of emotion just came over me, and I started tearing. Seeing all of our families, having both such a parents, brothers and sisters, some of the 90s, and all of our best friends made an absolute dream. There was still one more celebration to come. This evening, I was going towards that kind of Frank Sinatra area. I wanted to be more glitzy, glamorous, black tie of it. Keeping with that thing, I decided to go for a white lace, something very elegant, very classic. So last of the touches before I get to the bomber, and back to my guests. And I'll see you guys there. The reception was exactly as Himasya had planned it, with everyone turned out in their formal finery. This is a match between heaven and heaven. Ladies and gentlemen, the jaw-prees got standing. My currently gorgeous and talented wife and I. The party could then begin in earnest, pausing only to slice the cake before revelers could get back to cutting it up in Bollywood style. A big thank you to Himasya and Vijesh for inviting Mela to share in the celebrations, and we wish you both a long and happy life together.