Although interfaith marriage can be a touchy subject, it was but a small hurdle for Olivia Constance Nicholas and Dr Sandeep Menon. Letting love guide the way, the couple officiated their union with four ceremonies in Ipoh, Klang and Shah Alam. Attended by some two thousand guests in total, the fun-filled festivities were spread over two weeks.
Miss International Malaysia 2016 titleholder Olivia indirectly met her beau through the world of beauty pageants. Four years of long-distance correspondence culminated in a wedding to remember, replete with a record-breaking wedding veil—the longest in Malaysia at 120.56 metres.
Photos: U Wang Studio and Sean Wong

Above Photo courtesy of Olivia Constance Nicholas and Dr Sandeep Menon.
Sandeep's proposal went as follows: “At 26, I fell deeply in love with a girl who brought me doughnuts every other evening. Now grown, she surpasses even my most romantic daydreams. Will you hold my hands as my wife and let me walk you into my welcoming home?” How could Olivia have said no?

Above Photo courtesy of Olivia Constance Nicholas and Dr Sandeep Menon.
It only seemed apt for the couple to stage their pre-wedding photos at a beach. After all, Sandeep had also proposed to Olivia on a beach on Rebak Island, Langkawi.

Above Photo credit: U Wang Studio.
Rumour has it that Ipoh-born girls are fairer than most. Olivia certainly adds credence to the belief.

Above Photo credit: U Wang Studio.
The first of the wedding ceremonies unfurled at Our Mother Perpetual Help Church and Syuen Hotel in Ipoh.

Above Photo credit: U Wang Studio.
Although of separate faiths, the couple's love allows them to meet middle ground.

Above Photo credit: U Wang Studio.
Looks and smarts aside, Sandeep is most taken by Olivia's altruistic heart.

Above Photo credit: U Wang Studio.
Memorialised in the Malaysian Book of Records, Olivia's wedding veil was the longest in the country at 120.56 metres. Credit goes to fashion designer Louisa Amy Michael Benzi of Pretty in White.

Above Photo credit: U Wang Studio.
Louisa Amy Michael Benzi also designed Olivia's evening gown for the reception at Syuen Hotel in Ipoh.

Above Photo credit: U Wang Studio.
Gold accessories and embellishments were in abundance at the traditional Indian reception in Klang.

Above Photo credit: U Wang Studio.
Weighed down in gold, the bride was positively glowing on her wedding day.

Above Photo credit: U Wang Studio.
A throng made up of the couple's family members and friends filled the Sri Sundaraja Perumal Temple in Klang.

Above Photo credit: U Wang Studio.
On their first date, Sandeep had taken Olivia to a Hindu temple to be blessed by a priest. Little did they know what fate had in store for them.

Above Photo credit: U Wang Studio.
The couple with their parents: Datin Sheela Menon, Datin Rufina Nicholas, Dato’ Fredrick Indran X.A. Nicholas and Datuk Rajan Menon.

Above Photo credit: U Wang Studio.
In October 2016, Olivia was one of 69 beauty queens who flew to Tokyo to compete for the title of Miss International, and departed with something more valuable than the coveted title—lifelong friendships. A bevy of beauty queens flew in to Malaysia, some for the first time, to attend the wedding.

Above Photo credit: U Wang Studio.
Guinevere Davenport aka Miss Hawaii International put on a special luau performance at Olivia and Sandeep's fourth and final reception in Setia City Convention Centre.

Above Photo credit: Sean Wong.
Olivia Nicholas' parents and twin sister: Datin Rufina Nicholas, Dato’ Fredrick Indran X.A. Nicholas and Olinda Nicholas.

Above Photo credit: Sean Wong.
Sisters Divya Menon, Shalini Menon and Rena Menon.

Above Photo credit: Sean Wong.
Sudhir Das, Sindhu Viswanathan, Darshanna Viswanathan and Krishant Raj.

Above Photo credit: Sean Wong.
Beauty queens Shavina Hulkua, Jess Tyson, Katherine Gannon and Rewati Chetri.

Above Photo credit: Sean Wong.
Live entertainment was provided by Dhol Federation, various Bharatnatyam dancers, a flutist and violinist calling themselves AR Rahman, and more.

Above Photo credit: Sean Wong.
Dr Sandeep's parents: Datuk Rajan Menon and Datin Sheela Menon.

Above Photo credit: Sean Wong.
The father of the groom made a moving speech that included the following advice to his son: “Do love Olivia as I love your mother and everything will fall into place.”




