A New Chapter
Marinella Menezes and Vittorio Velho walked jubilantly up the aisle of the flower-bedecked chapel of Paco Patriarcal at Altinho in Panjim on the evening of Saturday, January 5, 2001, to exchange vows and seal their friendship into the eternal bond of holy matrimony. Rev Fr Desmond D'Souza, who officiated at the nuptials, promptly pointed out that Marinella set her eyes for the first time on Vittorio while jogging at the Campal park, "and instantly fell in love," Vittorio disclosed later. Quite often the affable pastor had the congregation, packed tightly in the chapel, struggling to control their laughter. His homily was very lively, yet profound. "Jubilations" choir sang the dearly familiar hymns in English, Portuguese, Konkani and Latin, filling the animated air with timeless harmony and uplifting the spirits. Young Andre Velho took to the piano for a few moments and sang "Ave Maria" in his youthful, yet glorious voice. Attired in a beautiful 33-year-old wedding gown worn by her mother-in-law Veronica the graceful bride, Marinella, looked ever so charming beside handsome Vittorio. The gcomeous gown worn by her looked perfectly fresh in style and colour. The plush wedding reception later on in the evening at the expansive, well laid out lawns of Cidade de Goa resort, with the soothing sound of the waves whispering on the sands of the quiet beach a few steps away, was virtually a who's who of Goa. Being well known in the social circles- Marinella who holds a Master's degree in Industrial Psychology and Vittorio well versed in Business Management--an impressive array of people from various walks of life and profession graced the occasion which was marked by a warm and friendly atmosphere keeping the guests relaxed and happy. After the charming couple had cut their wedding cake to the shower of confetti and cheers of their families and the large number of guests, Vikram Velho uncorked the champagne. Merlyn Velho, the superb compere, announced that the toast for the new couple would be rather unconventional, with three of their friends-Joe Dias, Shonalie Gupta and Gavin Alvares speaking one after another instead of a single toastmaster. Joe drew consistent chuckles as he recounted how he had spied Vittorio and Marinella "in the early stages of their romance", and how he had "predicted that one day they would get married and be in Canada". Said Marinella's pal Shonalie Gupta, "I met Nella eight years ago, and we've been good friends ever since." Going poetic Shonalie expressed, "In the hardest of times she is there for her friends, she is my ray of light in my darkest hour. She has got sparkling eyes and a smile that's still warmer. She donned her jogging shoes and she sprinted right into his heart." Gavin, a buddy since Vittorio's teens, raised the ultimate portion of the unique toast. "I tried to go for a jog, and all that I got was being chased by stray dogs." Wide-eyed Vittorio and Marinella, a pretty picture of made-for-each-other couple, took their turns to express how happy they felt to be united finally in marriage. They expressed their profound gratitude to their beloved families, friends and the guests for gracing the grand occasion. Marinella "thanked God for blessing me with a wonderful person in my life as a life partner" before thanking the two sets of parents and the rest of the cheering folk. Then, it was time for this couple to take the first delicate step of their first dance as husband and wife, and so very romantically indeed underneath the enormous banyan tree of the Cidade lawns. The best man and brides-maid too took to the floor after them and were joined in by others. Band "Rythm & Blues" and Lulu with her enchanting voice, regaled the guests, many of whom took to the floor. Nostalgic it was to behold the senior couples in the graceful sweep of ballroom movements, now seen so rarely, particularly when the band struck the waltzy numbers. The union of Marinella and Vittoria brings together the family of Divar's Jerry and Matilde Menezes, deeply associated with Goa's premier website Goacom Insys Pvt Ltd, and the family of Veronica and Virgilio Velho, whose entrepreneurial spirit has been an ample evidence in Panjim city since 1989. The house of Velho e Filhos is virtually a household name in Goa, dealing as they do in an array of diverse products under one roof in the famed Velho Building, a city landmark. Floral exuberance appeared to be ubiquitous. At the chapel, fresh flowers lent colour to the altars. At the reception, it was the sweet fragrance of the backdrop against which Marinella and Vittorio stood for being greeted on the most precious day of their life. It was virtually an endless sequence of kisses, hugs and handshakes for the newlyweds most of the time. Said Merlyn Velho, "I wish that every single chapter in your book of life be written in the most vibrant and beautiful poetry". We at Goacom & GoaNOW join in the chorus, wishing Marinella and Vittorio a Very Happy Married Life. |
