A Malvern couple put a unique spin on wedding favours by gifting their 300 guests lottery tickets, creating excitement and honouring the groom’s late father in a touching tribute that had some guests walking away with surprise winnings.

Preshen and Suvarna Maharaj, both 26, gifted their guests two sets of lotto tickets at their wedding last month at the Kendra Hall, in Durban.

Suvarna, a sales enablement administrator, said her husband Preshen, a salesman, came up with the lotto ticket idea as wedding favours.

“It was Preshen’s idea to get the lotto tickets. He had seen his dad buying a ticket.

“He thought it would be a playful twist on the typical wedding favour by giving our guests something with an element of surprise or chance. It was a great way to add excitement and audience engagement to our wedding,” said Suvarna.

The surprise became more sentimental and important after Preshen lost his dad a month before their wedding.

Preshen and Suvarna Maharaj. Photo: Supplied

“We wanted to remember and honour my father-in-law and this was the perfect gesture,” she added.

The couple bought 300 “1 line tickets” and 300 “2 line tickets” which cost them R2 700.

“The Daily Lotto draw was on the night of the wedding, so our guests had to wait until 8pm to know the results,” said Suvarna.

“The best part was that many guests won various amounts of money in the draw. Even if it was just a few bucks, it was a fun moment we will always remember. We created a little moment of chance for all our guests. It was also a conversation starter. The guests compared their winnings and spoke about what a fun idea it was,” said Suvarna.

Preshen said their guests loved the lotto ticket party favours.

He said that many guests found it different when they sat at their seats and saw the Lotto tickets instead of betel nut wedding favours.

The newlyweds hoped that their unique spin on wedding favours inspired other couples to make their wedding fun and memorable.

“I think it’s amazing when people do something unique at their weddings that leaves a lasting impression.

“Weddings are such a personal experience, and doing something memorable can make it feel even more special,” said Preshen.

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