Spectacular
Sri Lankan wedding is the world's biggest ever - 126 bridesmaids, 25 best
men, 20 page boys and 23 flower girls
Happy
couple Nisansala and Nalin beat previous Thai record by 30
bridesmaids
Sri
Lanka's First Lady, Shiranthi Rajapaksa - wife of the President - was guest of
honour.
Wedding
dress designer Champi Siriwardana said it was her dream to stage the
record-breaking nuptials
Planning a
wedding is a major undertaking for any couple... but not for Nisansala and Nalin
from Sri Lanka who married this week at a Guinness World Record breaking
ceremony near the capital city of Colombo.
The bride
and groom had a staggering 126 bridesmaids - easily beating the previous record
of 96 held by a Thai couple - all dressed by Nisansala's sister-in-law
Champi Siriwardana, who first suggested they go for the world record
bid.
Of course
it probably helped that Champi happens to be one of the Asian island's leading
wedding planners and dress designers.
Sri
Lankan couple Nisansala and Nalin, centre, pose for photographs alongside their
entire wedding party. The wedding was attended by Sri Lanka's First
Lady
It also
didn't hurt that the guest of honour was Sri Lanka's First Lady, Shiranthi
Rajapaksa, wife of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The
spectacular ceremony was elaborately staged at the Avendra Gardens in Negombo,
30 kms from Colombo in front of hundreds of family and friends.
All of the
wedding party - bride, groom, 126 bridesmaids, 25 best men, 20 page boys and 23
flower girls - were dressed in richly embroidered traditional costumes in shades
of purple and gold.
Held under
strict Guinness Book of World Record conditions, the wedding breaks the previous
record, held by a wedding in Bangkok, Thailand, that included 96
bridesmaids.
'Breaking
the Guinness world record is no mean feat and one that I cannot achieve alone,'
said Champi, who suggested the world record attempt. 'It is a
great responsibility and challenge. There can be no mistakes.'
Sri
Lankan wedding couple Nisansala, right and Nalin pose for photographers in front
of their massive bridal party, dressed in purple and gold
Champi was
so confident of Nisansala and Nalin's world record, she held a press conference
before the big day to announce the event.
'My dream
is to create an impact not only in Sri Lanka but internationally as well,' said
Champi. Job done,
Champi. As for the
happy couple... the pictures speak for themselves.
A best
man looks on during the wedding ceremony of Sri Lankan couple Nisansala and
Nalin - there were 25 best men in all
Sri
Lankan wedding couple Nisansala, right and Nalin pose on the steps of their
wedding venue in Negombo, 30kms from Colombo the capital city
Sri
Lankan couple Nisansala, right, and Nalin smile as they are greeted by guests
during their world record wedding
Sri
Lankan couturier - and the person who dreamed up the world record attempt -
Champi Siriwardana, left, receives her Guinness World Record award from Guinness
official Seyda Subasi Gemici during the wedding of couple Nisansala and
Nalin
Best men
and bridesmaids pose for a photo during the ceremony. There were 126
bridesmaids, 25 best men, accompanied by 20 page boys and 23 flower
girls
Sri
Lankan couple Nisansala and Nalin pour water into small pots as part of a
traditional ceremony
Guinness
Book of World Records wedding couple Nisansala and Nalin with their huge bridal
party at their venue in Negombo, north of Colombo
Source: Daily Mail, UK