Elena Bychokova has her roots in Russia. Rohaan Mohanty has his roots in India. They met in London, tied the knot in India and will settle down to married bliss in Auckland. If ever there was a wedding story that spanned continents, this is it. Traditionally, a wedding in India is never just about the bride and the groom. It is a grand meet and greet gala for the two families. This destination wedding with a twist was just that. It gave Elena’s family a chance to enjoy India and given Goa’s reputation as a resort paradise, it was here in a glittering ceremony that Rohaan and Elena said ‘I Do’.
The three day wedding included a Hindu ceremony and was followed by a Catholic wedding with the gorgeous Ashvem beach as the backdrop. For the couple, having family and friends from Russia, India and New Zealand in one place to witness the most important day of their lives, was definitely the high point.
We caught-up with the bride, the groom and their families to know more about their dream destination wedding.
Tell us about your love story…
Rohaan: We were studying at the same University in London. I promised her a free Internet connection.
Elena: I still have to take him up on his offer… the free ‘Net connection is still pending.
Who broke the news first with family and how?
Rohaan: Elena told her mom first when she had come down to London and I was introduced to her. She introduced me as her friend first before breaking the news a few months later. She called her mother and told her that she has found the her Mr. Right.
Elena: Both our families were thrilled!
What did it feel like coming home to NZ as Mr. and Mrs.?
Wow. It is an awesome feeling. The ring on the finger makes you feel special and responsible. It is definitely a different feeling. We’re planning our honeymoon now.
Meet the parents: Rohaan’s mom Tapaswini Patnaik and Elena’s mom Irina Bychkova were one of the first in their respective families to know of the blossoming romance. The moms played an important role in ensuring that the event went off well.
Would you recommend a wedding planner?
We would highly recommend getting a wedding planner to execute all the wedding ideas. They take a lot of stress off the whole process and also execute the plan perfectly. You just need to clearly tell them what you want.