Kanakavalli Bride : Bhaama

Bhaama weds Roopan

Kanakavalli Bride Bhaama first crossed paths with Roopan when they were teenagers and lived in the same neighbourhood in Singapore. They would catch glimpses of each other and had a few mutual friends, but life took them in different directions. Years later, while Bhaama was studying in Australia and Roopan in the US, they both happened to be back home in Singapore at the same time. He asked her out to dinner and what was meant to be a quick catch up turned into a four-hour conversation filled with laughter and stories that felt magnetic.

The couple dated for three-and-a-half years and knew that marriage was on the horizon, but nothing could have prepared Bhaama for the proposal that Roopan planned. By June 2022, they were both living in Australia. One sunny weekend, they visited their favourite spot – Little Bay Beach in Sydney. As they perched on the rocks, gazing out at the endless ocean, Roopan suddenly said he’d forgotten his beach towel in the car and dashed off. A few minutes later, Bhaama saw him walk towards her, smiling in a way that told her something was up. He had no towel with him, but held out the most beautiful ring as he went down on one knee. Bhaama was over the moon, and it remains one of the most cherished and magical days of her life.

The couple had three celebrations for their wedding in Singapore, each with its own mood and meaning – a Mehendi night, a Haldi ceremony for the groom and a ceremony at the temple. Bhaama and Roopan loved picking outfits, not just for themselves, but for their parents, siblings and extended family – feeling as though they were weaving everyone into one beautiful story. The wedding was both traditional and deeply personal to the couple, filled with warmth, intimacy and the love of their family and friends.

Bhaama’s eyes filled with tears the moment the thali was tied around her neck. In that one gesture, it felt as though everything came together – the love she and Roopan had built, the blessings of their families and the weight of tradition passed down through generations. It was a moment of destiny, Bhaama says, like a quiet confirmation that their union was always meant to be. Married life has been bliss, says Bhaama, and their greatest joy has been welcoming their baby boy who has changed their world. Through the chaos of new parenthood and hectic work schedules, Bhaama and Roopan always make time for each other, which makes their journey together truly beautiful.

Bhaama first stumbled upon Kanakavalli on Instagram years ago, when she saw a kanjivaram she thought her late grandmother would have loved. She remembers telling her sister back then that if she ever got married, she’d wear Kanakavalli. While shopping for the wedding in Chennai, Bhaama and her family visited the Kanakavalli store, and she says they were blown away by the collection of kanjivarams. One particular sari caught her eye immediately – it shimmered like liquid gold and had vivid fuchsia borders. The moment Bhaama draped it on herself, she knew it was ‘the one’. Bhaama says walking into the store felt like walking into a sari haven, and the team were patient and attentive. She loved the little details and personal touches that made the space feel warm and inviting, making it an experience she will never forget.

A big thank you to Bhaama for being a beautiful Kanakavalli Bride and sharing the story of her wedding with us. We wish her and Roopan a lifetime of love and laughter.