Kanakavalli Bride : Gayathry

Gayathry weds Abhishek

Gayathry and Abhishek met in their first year as undergraduates at Manipal University. On a study trip to Ahmedabad, they got to spend more time together and grew closer. Soon, their friendship turned into something more, and ten years later, they are happily married. Both their families knew about their relationship, and after navigating the pandemic lockdowns together, Gayathry and Abhishek decided to get married. They had an engagement ceremony in April 2023, but a few days before that, Abhishek planned a surprise proposal. Gayathry isn’t easily surprised, but this time he caught her completely off guard, creating one of their favourite memories together.

Seeing their loved ones come together and get involved in the wedding preparations was Gayathry’s favourite part of planning their big day. Two of the couple’s closest friends happened to get married just a week after them, so they got to share much of the wedding planning journey, making the experience even more memorable.

After having an indoor engagement ceremony, Gayathry and Abhishek were certain they wanted an outdoor wedding—an intimate celebration that showcased their Malayali roots as beautifully as possible. They got married amidst a coconut grove, the most natural and magical backdrop they could have asked for.

Their favourite moment from the wedding was seeing each other all dressed up for the first time. They had kept their wedding outfits a secret, so they could enjoy a proper ‘first look’ on their big day.

Gayathry was certain she wanted to wear a traditional kanjivaram sari for her wedding and had already shortlisted the stores she wanted to visit. While living and working in Bangalore as an architect, she had caught a glimpse of the Kanakavalli store and fallen in love with its saris, so the brand was high on her list. When they visited the store, Gayathry says the experience was everything she had hoped for. She loved the richness and feel of the kanjivarams and eventually found a piece unlike any other she had seen.

Gayathry’s mother also found a sari for the wedding, making her decision within five minutes of entering the store. Her in-laws gifted her another Kanakavalli kanjivaram for her first visit to Abhishek’s house after the wedding. In fact, it was a sari she had admired online and then discovered in the Kochi store, as though it had been waiting for the right moment.

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