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Neil & Lizana
Wedding party and reception in Pune, India
Bridal Sari designed by fashion icon, Neeta Lulla
 When Breakfast with Belle, anchored by Caribbean
Belle’s editor-in-chief, Aliyyah Eniath,
and then executive editor, Tanushree Luthra,
first aired on WinTv, the theme was
all weddings. A simple fashion show was
presented, and of course, faces of the
freshest models were required. So Lizana
Hosein first entered WinTv for a make-up
testing and trial. There she came face to
face with then WinTv President Neil Prashad.
For Neil it was love at first sight. He
took beautiful Lizana into his office with
our Breakfast with Belle crew and broke into
songs of India.
Months later, he met Lizana at a dinner
outing, and weeks after that, a casual run-in
at another restaurant in Kapok Hotel stirred
his heart once more. This time, he had
caught the attention of his beloved. It was
his birthday after all; he was all dressed in
white, surrounded by friends, and though
they sat at separate tables, Lizana’s eyes
danced with his. The following morning,
he was determined to find her. And she, determined
to find him. Logs at the television
station revealed her number. Neil had his
assistant call to summon her to the station.
From there, the couple had drinks together,
and quickly became friends and confidants.
A short while after, they got engaged. In
what seemed like a whirlwind romance,
they were determined to spend their lives
together. Time needn’t be wasted.
Neil promised Lizana a fairytale wedding
in India, and after weeks of planning and
residing in India, the event came to pass at
the Le Meridian Hotel in Pune, as a lavish affair.
No expense was spared; every comfort
was accommodated.
 The wedding was preceded by a mehindi
night party for the bride at 104 Bungalow
in Sinhagad, Pune. Lights and flowers magnificently
accented tall poolside trees, and
armchair couches were arranged for each
girl as a team of experts mehindi-decorated
beautiful hands and feet. All wedding guests
joined the after festivities, and enjoyed food
and dancing way into the night.
The day of the wedding soon arrived.
Neil made a prince-like arrival on horseback,
though he admits to being nervous
about horseback riding on busy traffic
streets. The bride wore a dress designed by
famous fashion designer to Bollywood film
stars, Neeta Lulla; and Anna Singh outfitted
the groom. The groom and male guests
wore turbans, as a symbol of honor, celebration
and joy; almost like a sacred crown.
The Hindu ceremony took
place before the wedding reception,
and incorporated
various traditions including
the exchange of garlands, the
sindoor ceremony, the seven
steps and the exchange of
rings. When the bride and
groom take seven steps together
around the fire, they
make a promise to travel together
hand in hand – to be
with each other through thick
and thin. According to Hindu
belief, if two people walk seven
steps together, they will remain
together for a lifetime.
 The sindoor ceremony was
most memorable for the couple.
This is where the groom
places a pinch of sindoor in
the bride’s hair, symbolic of
eternal life together. In Hinduism
the sindoor is also indicative
of a married woman.
The reception took place later that evening; the décor
theme incorporated two decorative
rose hearts, indicating
two hearts becoming one.
Some of Bollywood’s most
celebrated artists were present
to perform for the couple
and guests, including, Rahul
Sharma, Sukhbir, Hariharan
and Sivamant. Guests received
a gold coin as a token and
heartfelt thank you for their
well wishes and blessings.
Soon after the couple took
off to Kerala (South India)
and then to Tobago for their
honeymoon. They are hoping
to start a family in Tampa,
USA, in the near future.
Sukhbir, performing at the reception |
Neeta Lulla and Nishka Lulla |
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