IT was the start of a happily-ever-after for Somerset Park residents, Eric Royeppen and Bhavna Mangroo as they shared their vows at the Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Saturday.

In March, the Northglen News was invited to bear witness to the ultimate romantic gesture, where Royeppen proposed to the woman of his dreams at the ‘whalebone’ pier in uMhlanga.

To surprise his bride, Royeppen called her to the secret rendezvous under false pretence.

The couple met in January, when Bhavna’s aunt, Natasha Ramdheen, introduced them, thinking that they would make the perfect match. On 14 January they went on their first date where they spent some time on the very same pier. It was there that Bhavna said she fell in love with Eric.

The love-struck groom said he was blown away when he saw Mangroo walk down the aisle.

“It was an emotional moment. I was completely blown away. She looked incredible,” he said.

Bhavna said she was excited that their wedding day had finally arrived.

“It is a new beginning for us, as we begin to build our new life as a family. Over the last few months we have grown so much and learned so much from each other,” she said.