Actress Devika Bhise, who recently starred in the acclaimed motion picture The Warrior Queen of Jhansi married her love Nicholas Gilson, a snowboard and ski developer, in a lavish affair held at the Leela Palace Udaipur with an afterparty in Goa. The four-day event, held in February 2020, was a culmination of a 13-year romance that started during their formative years.
The two first met in 2007, while Devika was doing a summer course, through a common friend whom Nick was dating. At this time, she simply knew him as the “handsome surfer who’d drive me and my friends to the beach.”
Two year later, when Devika was moving into her university’s dorm, fate stepped in as it was Nick who, as president of the junior class, was assigned to help her move in. Although the pair didn’t hang out much during college, he was dating someone else and even tried to set Devika up with his friend, the two remained friends. At a college reunion three years after their graduation, this time the two actually connected. Devika says, “We drank, chatted, danced, and even had a little kiss on the dance floor! Apparently he had a crush on me, but never knew I felt the same.”
Unfortunately, at the time, due to living in different states, Pennsylvania and New York, five years passed before the two met again. This time Nick messaged Devika, saying that he was in New York and would she “want to catch up? Platonically, of course.”
Devika adds, “I was annoyed that he said platonically, but went anyway. We picked up right where we left off–we spoke until sunrise and kissed again. He told me he only said ‘platonically’ because he was afraid I was dating already!”
This time, the two became a couple and a year later when Devika thought she was going to a family dinner, she arrived at a room full of flowers and candles as Nick kneeled down and proposed. After a private omakase dinner prepared by the head chef of their favorite restaurant, the couple was joined by friends and family for a huge surprise party! “The best part was how well we got on with each other’s families,” said Devika. “My parents were in awe of his love for Indian culture and tolerance for green chillies!”
It was Swati Bhises, the bride’s mother, who planned the wedding calling on her experience as a film producer to design a one-of-a-kind wedding that included frequent “set changes” at the venue. After three days at the Leela Palace, 80 of the couple’s family and friends flew to Goa where they ended their celebrations at the Bhise family home overlooking the sea in Doan Paula, Goa. Guests were treated to eco-friendly Esma tote bags full of snacks, hangover kits and emergency supplies and an Esma shawl.
At the wedding, the bride wore a Tarun Tahiliani sari which was personally draped on her by the designer. She later changed into an Oscar de la Renta gown. For her Sangeet, she wore Anita Dongre and for the Haldi ceremony, Devika wore Vidhi Singhania. Legendary Bollywood makeup artist, Mickey Contractor, did all of the bride’s makeup.
The groom wore various Indian outfits from designers Himmat Singh, Anita Dongre, Rajesh Pratap Singh and Raghavendra Rathore.
Resources:
Wedding Planning: Swati Bhise, Judy Caleb and Cayenne Pepper Productions team
Design and Décor: Dhun Cordo of Full Moon Creative Services
Photography: Cory Goldberg
Videographer: Sunil Balhara
Sangeet Choreography: Devika Bhise
Music at the Welcome Party: Jonqui played a fantastic set on his drums alongside DJ Clement Desouza
Music arrangement for Sangeet: Aditya Bhise
Music arrangement for Mehndi: “Rock and Raga” band
Music performance: The band OneEmpire, led by Zarir Warden for the Western wedding reception
Caterer for Sangeet and Vedic Events: FoodLinks
Invitation cards: Designed by Swati Bhise and Created by Kermin of Camma Cards
