Tasneem & Shavak (Eco-Friendly Wedding)

Tasneem and Shavak have known each other since their days at Warwick University, when she was studying law and he, mathematics. After graduating, Tasneem remained in London while Shavak returned to his native Trinidad, and they embarked on a five-year, long-distance relationship. Not even the Atlantic Ocean could dampen their love!

In 2015 Shavak upped the ante, flying six thousand miles to join Tasneem and her friends in Turkey where he went down on bended knee and proposed. In conventional style, the couple eloped to St. Andrews, Scotland, intending to hold a ceremony with family and friends at a later date.

That date was to be 7th December, 2019 and Saint Lucia was the destination of choice! Pigeon Island proved to be the perfect venue to fulfil their wish for a natural, eco-friendly wedding. The combination of the sandy beach with the lush vegetation provided an ideal setting for the couple to realise their vision of an elegant affair with minimal impact on the environment.

Why have just one day of celebration when you can have three? Festivities kicked off with a Mehndi night at Mystique Royal Resort in Rodney Bay, where guests were staying. Ladies had their hands painted with henna while Tasneem and Shavak greeted their friends and family with eco-friendly party favours: a fetching cotton tote bag containing organic sunscreen; a safari animalsoapstone figurine; a cotton kikoy (similar to a sarong), organic kombucha tea, and an eco-friendly pencil for the personalised crossword, designed to encourage guests to mingle and trade answers.

The next day the party continued with a fun catamaran cruise. Sun, sea and Soca; a perfect welcome to the Caribbean for those traveling from colder climes. Then Saturday was the main event: the wedding at Pigeon Island.

Tasneem and Shavak wanted a relaxed and informal affair – definitely no jackets required, shoes optional – with a Kenyan theme and plenty of revelry – the bacchanalia. Above all, it was eco-friendly, from the use of glass drinking vessels and bamboo straws through to seating and a tiki bar made from recycled wood.

Stage 1: A traditional Indian Panu ceremony on the beach. The women from Tasneem’s side of the family, together with Shavak’s mother, performed the ritual that signifies joining the new family: adorned in a gold necklace and new shoes, Tasneem’s head was covered with a red veil and a coconut passed over it. This was an excellent prelude to popping champagne corks, sipping rum and taking a refreshing drink from the coconut man while enjoying vegan canapes.

Stage 2: A vegan dinner on the lawn, under a burlap-trimmed tent, and it was a feast! Guests were impressed by the tasty and filling fare: lasagne, rice and peas, a tofu noodle wok station, even a vegan chocolate cake! True to the green aspect, there was not a piece of single-use plastic in sight; even plastic wrap that is used to cover buffet items was substituted by a re-useable waxed cloth alternative.

The African theme was promoted with the decor: colourful kente cloth table runners and Masai statuettes; the Caribbean influence was the steel pan band which was a hit with all nationalities.

Stage 3: Dancing until 3 a.m. at the illuminated ruins. The tiki hut was brought up from the beach and repurposed as the DJ booth while old barrels made perfect tables for drinks. Tasneem and Shavak had a “first dance” but in their own unique style – in London they had practised with a choreographer and perfected a dazzling routine, combining the music and moves of Bollywood and Soca. Dancing under the stars, they wowed the audience!

With the party in full swing, drinks flowing and guests dancing, there was only one item that could be served as a midnight snack: vegan Trini doubles!