Vinuth and Aneesha together in Melbourne

We're getting married, and we'd love you to join us in Sri Lanka 2028

RSVP

RSVP by 1 January 2027

Vinuth
and
Aneesha

Schedule

The celebration

All times are Sri Lanka time (GMT+5:30).

Saturday
22 January[time to be confirmed]

Chapel Ceremony

[Placeholder wording] Our chapel ceremony, the first moment of the day. The final time and details will follow.

Saturday
22 January5:00 PM

Poruwa Ceremony

A traditional Poruwa ceremony on the beachfront lawn as the sun sets. Guests arrive and are seated from 4:30 PM.

Dress Formal. Soft island tones; please avoid white, cream and all black.

Saturday
22 January7:30 PM – 12 AM

Reception

Cocktails from 6:30 PM, followed by a seated dinner under the stars and dancing.

Dress Formal. Soft island tones; please avoid white, cream and all black.

Joining us for the whole weekend? Find your invitation in the RSVP section below to see every event you're invited to.

The day

Saturday 22 January

  1. Guests arrive & are seated

    Welcome drinks on the beachfront lawn. Find your seat and take in the view.

  2. Poruwa ceremony begins

    A traditional Sri Lankan wedding ritual on an ornate wooden platform, overlooking the ocean.

  3. Sunset over the Indian Ocean

    Golden hour. The sky puts on a show.

  4. Cocktail hour

    Signature cocktails, canapes, and time to mingle while the reception space transforms.

  5. Reception & dinner

    Seated dinner under the stars. Speeches, toasts, and the first meal as a married couple.

  6. Dance floor opens

    First dance, then everyone joins. Shoes optional.

  7. Fireworks & sparkler send-off

    A beachfront fireworks display over the ocean, followed by a sparkler-lit farewell.

  8. After-party by the pool

    The party continues poolside. Music, nightcaps, and the sound of the waves.

Attire

What to wear

  • Saturday · Chapel, Poruwa & Reception

    Formal, in island tones: a cocktail or maxi dress, or a linen or cotton suit in sand, sage, navy or stone.

Please avoid white, cream or ivory at the ceremony, and shorts and thongs.

Vinuth in a cream linen jacket beside Aneesha in a white slip dress
Ceremony & reception

Formal

Evenings in Wadduwa sit around 25–30°C with an ocean breeze. Dress up, but dress for the climate.

Women
Cocktail or maxi in silk, linen or chiffon. Block heels or wedges for the lawn, and a light wrap for after sunset.
Men
A linen or cotton suit in sand, sage, navy or stone. Tie optional; loafers over leather soles that sink.
Please avoid
White, cream or ivory at the ceremony. All black. Shorts and thongs.
Palette
  • Champagne
  • Dusty rose
  • Sage
  • Terracotta
  • Taupe
  • Navy
  • Forest
Illustration: a couple in a pale blue one-shoulder dress and a charcoal suit for the ceremony and reception
Saturday · Ceremony & Reception

Formal, in island tones

Women: a cocktail or maxi in silk, linen or chiffon, block heels or wedges for the lawn, and a light wrap for after sunset. Men: a linen or cotton suit in sand, sage, navy or stone, tie optional.

Traditions

Culture & ceremony

Our day is a homecoming, a celebration of our Sri Lankan heritage. Here is what to expect from the rituals that shape it.

Nakath times

Auspicious times (nakath) are set by astrologers from the couple's horoscopes. Key moments, stepping onto the Poruwa, tying the little fingers, blessing the rings, are timed to the minute, which is why we begin at 5:00 PM sharp.

The Poruwa

An ornately decorated wooden platform where we stand together. Rituals include tying our little fingers with gold thread, pouring water to unite two families, and lighting the oil lamp. It is symbolic and deeply meaningful, not a legal registration.

The wedding sari

The bride traditionally wears an Osariya, a Kandyan-style sari draped in a way unique to Sri Lanka, often in gold and white or deep jewel tones. The draping honours heritage and the jewellery reflects the family's blessings.

Sri Lankan customs

Expect the thunder of Kandyan drummers and the Jayamangala Gatha, Buddhist verses of blessing, chanted during the Poruwa. Guests are often greeted with a betel leaf, a traditional sign of respect.

Travel & accommodation

Getting to Wadduwa

Wadduwa is on Sri Lanka's west coast, about 40 km south of Colombo, where palm-lined beaches meet the Indian Ocean. January is the dry season here: warm days, calm seas.

Flights

SriLankan Airlines flies Melbourne to Colombo direct in about 10.5 hours, or connect via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Fly into Bandaranaike International (CMB).

Airport to venue

60–75 minutes via the Southern Expressway. Pre-book a hotel transfer, or use PickMe or Uber from arrivals.

Get directions

ETA visa

Australian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, applied for online before you fly. Your passport should be valid for six months or more.

Official ETA site

Currency

Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). Cards work at hotels and most restaurants; carry some cash for tuk-tuks, small shops and tips.

Weather

Around 30°C by day, 23°C overnight, sea at 28°C. Sunset is about 6:15 PM. Pack linen, SPF 50+, a hat and repellent.

Health & safety

Drink bottled water only. Pack mosquito repellent, as dengue is present, and cover up at dawn and dusk. The sun is strong, so bring sunscreen and a hat. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Scams & tips

Agree tuk-tuk fares before you set off, or use a metered one or PickMe. Be wary of friendly strangers offering gem bargains or detours to shops. At temples, cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes. When in doubt, ask your hotel.

Power & plugs

Sockets are Type D (round three-pin) and Type G (UK three-pin). Voltage is 230V/50Hz, the same as Australia, so you only need an adaptor.

Find your way

A simple preview of the area. The interactive map loads when you tap the button.
Open in Google Maps

Tap a pin for details and directions. Pin positions are approximate.

Where to stay

  • The Blue Water
    The venue · Wadduwa~$180–300 AUDMap
  • Anantara Kalutara
    Kalutara · ~15 min~$250–400 AUDMap
  • Avani Kalutara
    Kalutara · ~15 min~$120–200 AUDMap
  • Cinnamon Bey
    Beruwala · ~35 min~$130–220 AUDMap
  • Beach villas
    Wadduwa · 5–10 min~$60–120 AUDMap
  • Guesthouses
    Kalutara · ~15 min~$30–70 AUDMap

Prices are per night, approximate. Book early for our dates; January is peak season.

What to expect

Weather in Wadduwa

January is one of the best months on Sri Lanka's west coast: the drier, sunnier season, with warm days, calm seas and only the occasional short afternoon shower.

A day in Wadduwa

Daytime high
30–31°C
Overnight low
23–24°C
Sea temperature
~28°C
Humidity
75–80%
Sunrise
~6:25 AM
Sunset
~6:15 PM
UV index
11+ (extreme), sun protection is a must

Right now in Wadduwa

Live weather loads as you scroll here.

Live data: Open-Meteo.com

Packing tips

Just what you will want on the day itself, from outfits to the little extras.

Outfits by event

  • Saturday, ceremony and reception. Formal, in soft island tones. Please avoid white, cream and all black.

Shoes

  • Heels sink into sand and lawn. Block heels, wedges or flat sandals are your friends.
  • Something comfortable for dancing, and a spare pair for later.

Sun and weather on the day

  • A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
  • A light wrap for the sea breeze after sunset.
  • A small umbrella for a brief shower.
  • A fan or handkerchief for the warm moments.

For the evening

  • Insect repellent for the outdoor dinner.
  • A small clutch with tissues and lip balm.
  • Phones away during the Poruwa. Pack a camera-free mindset; our photographer has it covered.

Little extras

  • A card or envelope for the wishing well.
  • A comfortable change of clothes for the after-party by the pool.
While you're here

Our recommendations

Make the most of your trip. Our personal picks for the south-west coast and Colombo.

Places to eat

  • Ministry of Crab, Sri Lankan crab, Colombo
  • Galle Face Green, street food at sunset
  • Galle Fort cafés, lunch inside the ramparts
  • Beachside seafood, Wadduwa & Kalutara
  • Rice & curry buffets, the island on a plate
  • Roadside short eats, patties, rolls and vadai

Things to try

  • Kottu roti, chopped on a hot griddle
  • Hoppers (appa), egg hoppers for breakfast
  • Lamprais, the Dutch Burgher rice parcel
  • King coconut (thambili) from a stall
  • Ceylon tea, straight from the source
  • A traditional Ayurvedic massage

Places to visit

  • Galle Fort, UNESCO World Heritage old town
  • Bentota river safari
  • Kalutara Bodhiya
  • Brief Garden, near Bentota
  • Kosgoda sea turtle hatchery
  • Galle Face Green, Colombo

Bucket list

  • Whale watching from Mirissa (roughly November to April).
  • The scenic train ride to Ella through tea country.
  • Sunrise at Sigiriya.
  • A safari at Yala or Udawalawe for elephants and leopards.
The people

Wedding party

The friends and family standing beside us on the day.

Bridal party

Mia Hamilton

Maid of Honour

Best friend since forever.

Priya Silva

Bridesmaid

Partner in crime since university.

Jessica Chen

Bridesmaid

The one who always brings the wine.

Nadia Kumar

Bridesmaid

Travel buddy and keeper of secrets.

Groomsmen

Raj Sriram

Best Man

Brother and best mate.

Aiden Torres

Groomsman

Cricket teammate and voice of reason.

Marcus Lee

Groomsman

First friend in Melbourne.

Kiran Patel

Groomsman

Housemate and gym partner.

Our story

A conversation that never ended

Vinuth on one knee beside a lit 'Will you marry me' sign by the Yarra
The question, by the Yarra. 2025.

Some love stories begin with a grand gesture. Ours began with a simple conversation.

We met in Melbourne, two people with roots stretching across oceans, and found the same quiet ambition, the same sense of humour and the same love for a good meal. We fell deeper through the quiet of lockdown, then travelled together to the island our families came from.

Years later, on the Sri Lankan coast watching the sun melt into the Indian Ocean, we knew this was the place: not just for the view, but for what it represents, the meeting of two worlds and the beginning of forever.

Vinuth kneeling as Aneesha covers her face in surprise, with the city behind
Close-up of Aneesha's engagement ring
She said yes.
Our engagement

Just the two of us, and then yes

A few frames from the day by the Yarra, and the months that followed.

Our photos

Melbourne, before Wadduwa
FAQs

Good questions

What is a Poruwa ceremony?

A traditional Sri Lankan wedding ritual on an ornate wooden platform. Our little fingers are tied with gold thread, water is poured to unite two families, and an oil lamp is lit, all timed to our nakath. A printed guide will be in your guest pack.

What time should I arrive?

Please be seated by 4:30 PM. The ceremony begins at 5:00 PM sharp; we're timing it to the auspicious time and the sunset, so we can't wait for latecomers.

Is it indoors or outdoors?

Mostly outdoors, right by the ocean: the welcome drinks, the ceremony and dinner all take place under the open sky. Expect sun early on (sunset is around 6:15 PM), a warm sea breeze after dark and the odd short shower. Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for the afternoon, and a light wrap and repellent for the evening.

Are children invited?

It's mostly an adult occasion. Children are welcome only where they're named on your invitation, which you'll see when you RSVP.

Can I bring a plus-one?

[Placeholder wording: Vinuth and Aneesha to confirm.] Your invitation names everyone in your group, and you'll see exactly who is included when you RSVP. If you think someone has been left off, please get in touch.

What about dietary requirements?

Add them for each guest when you RSVP and we'll work through them with the venue's kitchen.

Can we take photos during the ceremony?

We'd love you to be fully present during the Poruwa, so phones away please; our photographer has it covered. After that, snap away and share them with us.

What if my plans change?

Just let us know as soon as you can. You can update your RSVP by finding your invitation again. No hard feelings, ever.

Is there a Melbourne celebration?

Yes, later in 2028, for anyone who can't make the trip. Separate invitations will follow, and you're welcome at both.

Who do I contact with questions?

Message Aneesha or Vinuth directly, or email vinuth.o.srirama@gmail.com.

Registry

Your presence is the gift

Travelling to Sri Lanka to celebrate with us is more than enough. For those who'd like to give something, there will be a wishing well at the reception.

Please don't bring physical gifts to Sri Lanka; getting them home is a challenge.

Kindly reply

One reply covers your whole group. Kindly reply by 1 January 2027.

Vinuth and Aneesha embracing by the river at golden hour

See you in Sri Lanka

RSVP by 1 January 2027