Neeta Ramsaroop was at an engagement party in 2007 when she found herself being hit on at the bar. She also noticed another man, Prashant “Parry” Malani, laughing and smirking while observing the situation. “I was annoyed at being hit on and then even more annoyed at this person laughing at me,” she recalls. “Of course, he took this as an opportunity to chat me up himself.”
“It took many years and ups and downs to get to where we are today,” Neeta continues. “In August of 2017, ten years after we met, Parry popped the question inside Barberian Toronto’s subterranean wine cellar with 40,000 bottles that witnessed me say, ‘YES!’ The wedding planning started immediately. We hired Enaya Rabba, a boutique event specialist, to make our vision come to life.”
“WHERE THERE IS LOVE THERE IS LIFE.”
Parry decided he wanted to get married somewhere that reminded him of a California beach, but with the Toronto skyline. This led the couple to Palais Royale, where they were able to piece together a celebration that reflected their individual backgrounds, as well as a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.
The wedding took place on a hot summer’s day, and the celebrations kicked off with the bride and groom arriving separately in a Rolls Royce, followed by Parry making his grand entrance on a horse for the baraat. A Hindu wedding was held on a two-tiered balcony under a custom mandap, with the sounds of waves crashing in the background. Wedding photos were taken between the ceremony and reception, and the newlyweds shared a beautiful photo session on the rooftop of Hotel X overlooking Toronto. Meanwhile, guests were enjoying a cocktail hour complete with a string quartet, custom beverages, and fusion appetizers.
“When we first walked into the hall we were stunned by the transformation into a romantic, candlelit, and elegant space,” describes Neeta. “The chameleon chairs reflected the 1920’s art deco feel of the building and the fuchsia flowers with the soft lighting made for a romantic, ethereal sense. The oval tables were named after places we have been and were adorned with flowers and custom menus for each person. The floor was a runway of matching flowers with the quote: “Where there is love there is life.”
The newlyweds decided to wait for their one-year anniversary to take off on an official honeymoon – an incredible journey to the Maldives, India, and Southeast Asia.
“As Parry said in his wedding speech: ‘Neeta, there are so many things that I love about you, but I wanted to share something small that was so impactful for me. I have always loved our 4 AM conversations. When we couldn’t sleep, we had each other. I know nowadays we’re in our thirties and we can’t stay up past midnight without being grumpy the next day. But now, with you in my life and me constantly seeing every day, I know I can treat every day like a 4 AM conversation. You mean the world to me.’ And that is how everyday has been since we got married. And yes, he still smirks at me the same way as he did when we first met.”
