She wasnt happy about it.
They spoke for hours that night about everything and nothing, Manisha says.
Yet he didnt ask for her number.
Photo: Norman and Blake
At first, Manisha thought maybe she misread the signs.
We spoke until my plane took off.
It turns out she never needed to worry: It was love at first sight, says Chris.
Fifteen years later, Chris proposed to Manisha over dinner at home in Singapore.
She knew it was coming.
I had a sneaking suspicion he might propose because he was just soenthusedabout this dinner, she says.
The two always knew they wanted to get married in the Maldives.
In 2017, they went to the East African island nation for New Years Eve.
And seven years later, in April 2024, they did.
Our friends came together in secret to learn and perform a full-blown Indian dance performance for the sangeet.
Most of them had never attended a sangeet or performed anything Indian in their life.
It was so touching and I was so surprised!
The next day, they wed on the tip of Patina Island, only reachable via boat.
When the boat turned the corner toward the island, it seemed time had stopped, says Manisha.
The bride wore a custom embroidered chikankari lehenga by Tarun Tahiliani with ivory pearl details.
The journey to find my wedding dress was very cathartic for me in the end.
I learned so much about my culture and Indian craftsmanship.
She entered the ceremony under a canopy of flowers in accordance with the Indian tradition of phoolon ki chadar.
Usually, it is carried by the brides brothershowever, Manisha is an only child.
So Chriss siblings stepped in.
The bride walked down the aisle herself as Book of Love by Peter Gabriel played.
After that, the groom says it all got a little fuzzy.
I dont remember feeling anything but pure happiness.
Manisha had the most touching vows, which I loved.
After they kissed, the two danced back down the aisle to Gold Digger by Kanye West.
In bad taste or notI am not sure!
But it was great.
I could hear Chris laughing hysterically behind me.
Afterward, the couple held their reception at the Fari Marina Village under a grove of palm trees.
Then she put her hair into a high half ponytail.
So 90s, so freaking fun.
Throughout dinner, a string quartet played, only pausing as friends and family gave their speeches.
The live band started, then the dancing kicked off and never stopped.
It does feel like we are opening a new chapter in the book of life.
I am so excited, says Manisha.
The Maldiveslittle islands of magic in the ocean.
The start to the most gorgeous wedding weekend.
The James Turrell Modern Lighthouse exhibit at Patina.
Home to many Drake-esque videos.
