Sometimes the most extraordinary love stories emerge from the simplest beginnings. For business analyst Reesa Pillai and software developer Dylan Jethwa, both born and raised in East London, their journey from high school sweethearts to a three-ceremony celebration proves that when fate intervenes, it unfolds something magical. Post school, life pulled them in different directions until university reunited them years later. “We got in touch and the rest was history.” The duo’s relationship blossomed with their shared love for “travel, food and spending time with family.”
The first hint of their potential future came when Dylan met Reesa’s parents on Christmas, arriving with a bottle of Amarula. “That gesture has since become a family tradition,” Reesa shares. “Dylan proposed in the Dominican Republic during a private dinner by the ocean. It was a perfect, intimate moment that felt straight out of a film,” she adds of the special occasion that set the tone for their intimate yet grand wedding. “The very next thing we did was celebrate with a surprise engagement party with our immediate family. It turned out to be a perfect way to start the wedding journey surrounded by the people closest to us.”
The Vision: Three Ceremonies, One Love Story
What began as dreams of an intimate gathering naturally evolved as their Indian family connections expanded the guest list to 250 people. “Initially, we envisioned a small wedding. But as anyone with a desi family knows, the guest list has a way of growing overnight,” laughs the bride. Rather than compromise their vision, the couple embraced the growth, creating three distinct experiences that would allow different circles to celebrate in their own meaningful way.
“We wanted each event to have its own ‘moment’ and ‘space’,” the couple explains. The civil ceremony would satisfy their British sensibilities, the Hindu wedding would honour their heritage and the reception would bring everyone together for pure celebration. Their celebration on July 19, 2025 at Shrubland Palace is a masterclass in multicultural, multigenerational wedding planning that told a different chapter of their love story.
The Civil Ceremony with British Elegance
The morning civil ceremony in the venue‘s orangery was pure British romance. With 80 of their closest family and friends, Reesa walked down the aisle in an Élysée gown from Confetti & Couture, a fitted masterpiece with delicate lace straps and intricate beaded floral lace over tulle, complete with the designer’s signature dramatic sculpted hem train. Dylan looked dapper in his custom light blue pure S110’s wool suit from Suit Supply.
Their colour palette of soft pastels and neutrals ran like a common thread through each event, creating visual continuity and also allowing each ceremony to maintain its unique character. The sage green bridesmaids and cream-suited groomsmen set against the orangery’s natural beauty for the civil ceremony. The intimate scale allowed the venue’s natural charm to shine, with minimal décor letting the orangery’s architectural beauty take centre stage. Fresh canapés, juices and coffee created a refined brunch atmosphere that felt both elegant and relaxed. A personalised mirror wedding sign encouraged guests to capture memories, while doubling as an accent piece.
The Hindu Wedding with Cultural Grandeur
By midday, post the civil ceremony in the morning, the tempo shifted. The 220 guests gathered outdoors for the serene ceremony. The mandap, set against Shrubland Palace’s natural beauty, created an ethereal backdrop for their union. “For the Hindu wedding, our mandap was the focal point. The pastel masterpiece was decorated with pink and cream florals to complement the surroundings.”
The visual spectacle was breathtaking. Both families made dramatic entrances from opposite ends of the grand staircase, accompanied by dhol drums by Tejpal Attalia, coloured smoke flares and traditional dancing. Reesa’s brothers brought Dylan down in traditional Kerala style, while colour cannons marked the ceremony’s jubilant conclusion. “It was definitely the highlight and one of the most memorable parts of our wedding,” recalls Reesa.
In a twist on expectations, given Dylan is Gujarati, the couple chose a Kerala-style wedding. The reason? “It is a shorter format and the distinct rituals felt fresh for many of our guests who hailed from diverse cultural backgrounds, most of whom had never witnessed one before,” shares Reesa, who has Kerala background.
Later, guests enjoyed an onion- and garlic-free Gujarati vegetarian feast by Prasangi Catering. “It was so flavourful that no one noticed what was missing.”
Reesa went the classic route by opting for an ivory and gold Banarasi silk sari with heavy stonework. “I accessorised with a mix of modern and traditional gold jewellery, including family-gifted bangles, statement necklaces and jhumkas with encrusted gemstones.” Dylan complemented her in a matching cream and gold sherwani from Omega, both embodying old-world charm. The bride kept to soft glam makeup throughout the events, featuring a mix of romantic and dramatic elements.
The Glam Reception
The last leg unfolded in the glasshouse pavilion, with its crisp white draping setting the stage. As evening turned to night, strategic lighting and subtle effects transformed the space from serene sophistication into a high-energy affair. Reesa’s reception transformation was stunning. Her Mongas gown, customised from red to dark fuchsia pink with heavy gold and silver stonework and hints of turquoise. She styled it with diamond jewellery. Her hair, a playful mix of done and undone curls, struck the perfect balance between glamour and ease. Dylan matched the mood in a midnight blue tuxedo with black lapels, exuding timeless polish. The dramatic style shift from traditional to contemporary also marked the evening’s festive flair. “We were intentional about matching our ensembles to mirror the spirit of the occasion—romantic for the civil ceremony, traditional for the Hindu wedding and chic for the reception.” The result was a series of distinct, unforgettable looks that made the most of the bride-and-groom moment at every turn.
The reception revealed the couple’s playful side with surprise after surprise for the wedding party. The culinary journey continued with Tabla Catering‘s North Indian feast, complete with a live kebab stand from Doner2You along with signature cocktails and mocktails from The Bearded Man Cocktails. The combination of elegant dinner service with fun, interactive food stations perfectly captured the couple’s sophisticated yet approachable style.
The Magic in the Details
What elevated their celebration from beautiful to unforgettable was the thoughtful attention to detail. At the reception, guests were greeted by Autokaraan‘s ice cream tuk tuk serving vanilla and mango scoops with personalised wafers. “It was an unexpected delight that set the tone for an evening of joyful surprises.” Their traditional yet modern invitations featured red and gold with acrylic main details, plus customised inserts for each guest’s specific events, bordered in red, gold, or emerald depending on which ceremonies they were attending.
Wedding favours that guests would actually use included Yankee Candles in “Wedding Day” scent, arrival chocolates, and large almond biscuits perfect for next-morning tea, serving as practical touches that extended the celebration beyond the day itself. The timeline to document every moment and memory, with Ed Pereira Photo helming photography and Mak Media taking care of video, was carefully planned to capture both families adequately, acknowledging the importance of extended family in Indian celebrations and maintaining the intimate feel they desired.
The Perfect Ending
With the entire night ahead surrounded by everyone they loved, the couple could finally exhale and celebrate not just their wedding day’s success, but the journey that brought them there. Sharing her advice to other brides-to-be, Reesa says, “Stay positive and savour the journey, from the excitement of planning to the joy of the last dance. The day will pass in a blur, but every moment, effort and expense will feel worth it. Don’t let stress steal the magic—soak it all in while it’s happening.”
“Seeing each other for the first time as we walked into the reception, knowing the day had gone not exactly as we’d hoped for but even better and having the whole evening ahead with the people we love is one we will never forget,” shares the couple about their favourite moment. They danced their first dance as husband and wife, surrounded by 220 guests from two cultures united in one celebration with countless memories. The night drew to a close with heartfelt speeches, cake cutting, delicious food and a dance floor that stayed alive until the very last song.
The Bride’s Checklist
The Bride: Reesa Pillai
The Groom: Dylan Jethwa
Photographer: Ed Pereira Photo
Venue: Shrubland Palace
Décor: Gayatri Wedding
Catering: Prasangi Catering (Hindu), Tabla Catering (Reception)
Videographer: Mak Media
Bride’s Outfits: Mongas
Groom’s Outfits: Suit Supply and Omega
Mehndi: LDN Artistry
Makeup: Tanji Brides
Hair: Manish Kumar Hair
Cake: Bakes by Zaahira
Entertainment: EQ Events + DJ Pradz Bassinject, Tejpal Attalia
Bar: The Bearded Man Cocktails
Ice-cream: Autokaaran UK
Coloured cannons: Firework Crazy
Doner Van: Doner 2 You
