KUALA LUMPUR: Former beauty queen Deborah Henry married Malaysian entrepreneur Dr Rajiv Bhanot in a lavish two-day ceremony in Udaipur, India, attended by family and Malaysian glitterati.
The wedding took place at the luxurious grounds of the Leela Palace and the Oberoi Udaivilas hotels in the western state of Rajasthan.
The two-day event started with a Rajasthani welcome party at the Leela Palace on Friday before formal wedding services yesterday, which included a Hindu ceremony in the morning and a garden blessing in the evening.
The Miss Universe Malaysia 2011 and Miss Malaysia World 2007 was resplendent in an intricately embroidered coral-coloured lengha designed by Melinda Looi Couture for the morning ceremony, and a white veil and gown by Rizalman for the evening rituals.
According to Looi, the first outfit – which was fully hand-embroidered with beads and metalwork – featured peonies as the main floral motif.
“It took three weeks to complete the embroidery. The fabric is pure shantung silk from Spain and the skirt alone weighs more than 10kg!” said Looi.
The fashion designer, along with an entourage of friends from Malaysia, was present for the nuptials.
The guest list read like a who’s who of Malaysia’s most fashionable, including Naza Group joint group executive chairman S.M. Nasarudin S.M. Nasimuddin and his wife Marion Caunter, actress Sarah Lian, former national squash player Mohd Azlan Iskandar and his fashion entrepreneur wife Ung Yiu Lin, model/actress Kavita Sidhu and husband Roberto Guiati, businessman Mukesh Valiram and wife Roshan, Melium Group head of marketing and public relations Ferhat Nazri Aziz and Datuk Seri Andrew Abishegam, managing director of event management company X2 International.
Deborah, 31, and Dr Rajiv, 33, who have been a couple since 2014, celebrated the two-day event with family and friends.
A website set up for the happy union (www.deborajiv.com) states that the duo met in college when Deborah was just 16.
Many years later, they met again, and also became partners in Venuescape, the service that helps clients find the perfect venue for any occasion, and then plan, set up and decorate as well.
Dr Rajiv is managing director while Deborah is strategic development director.
The stunning Oberoi Udaivilas was a fitting venue for the couple’s glittering tradition-filled ceremony.
Located on the banks of Lake Pichola, the property stands on the 200-year-old hunting grounds of the Maharana of Mewar and is spread over 20ha, including an 8ha wildlife sanctuary with deer and wild boar.
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