Supply Planner Muhammad Hisham recently returned from his wedding in his native India, with colleagues making the journey there to share in the occasion.
Hisham, who works in the UK Supply Planning team in Armitage, married Rihana, a graphic designer from India, in a three-day celebration held in Kochi, Kerala.
The festivities included a Sangeeth night (the men’s party), the wedding ceremony itself and a reception, with around 2,600 guests attending across the celebrations.
Following the wedding, Hisham and Rihana enjoyed a honeymoon in Varkala, marking the start of their new life together.
Making the occasion even more memorable, Hisham was joined in India by his manager Colette Jones and colleague Robin Foster, who travelled out to be part of the celebrations.
For Hisham, having colleagues travel such a distance made the occasion even more special: “My wedding day was really special. I am so happy to have married such a wonderful, beautiful girl.
“I didn’t expect my colleagues or my manager to travel all the way to India – it was a big honour for me and my family.
“They quickly became friends with everyone, and my family were sad to see them go, especially my mum and grandma.
“One thing I didn’t expect was Colette and her friend Kath learning a dance with one of my cousins and performing it at the Sangeeth!”
Colette said: “When Hisham invited me to his wedding, and then I looked online and saw how beautiful Kerala looked, I asked my friend Kath if she fancied a holiday in India with a wedding in the middle!
“Hisham’s wedding was absolutely amazing and magical. Everyone we met was so warm and welcoming and it was a privilege and an honour to be part of the celebrations and to see Hisham and Rihana so happy.
“His family treated us like their own and helped us fully embrace the experience, from henna to traditional dress. It really was a holiday of a lifetime.”
Robin added: “When I was invited to Hisham’s wedding, I knew it was an opportunity too good to miss.
“Travelling to India had always been on my bucket list, and I’m really glad I had such a great reason to go.
“The wedding was an amazing spectacle and I feel very grateful to Hisham and his family for their hospitality.”