Love Island 2023 winners Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan open up exclusively from their honeymoon in Bali about their fairytale wedding – and how they were determined for their Big Day to be “no show, just soul”
It was a love story that bloomed under the blazing villa sun and captured the hearts of millions – but Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan’s journey didn’t end with winning the Love Island crown in 2023. In fact, it was just the beginning.
In the soft light of a perfect summer’s day in Essex, some 15 months after first announcing their engagement, Kai and Sanam said “I do” in front of 60 of their closest friends and loved ones.
The pair tied the knot at High House near Chelmsford on Saturday 2 August. A beaming Sanam tells us, “It was emotional. I woke up at 7am and cried four times before even putting on my make-up. I just kept thinking, ‘I can’t do it. I’m going to cry and ruin my face!’”. It comes after Taylor Swift sparks engagement rumours as fans spot Travis Kelce’s lock screen.
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The couple’s big day was never going to be a showbiz spectacle or a lavish influencer affair. For Kai and Sanam – whose romance began quietly in the whirlwind of Casa Amor during the 2023 winter series – the occasion was about connection, authenticity, family and cultural celebration. As they sit down with OK! to reflect on the day they became husband and wife, the love between them is clear, and peppered with laughter.
Both 27, former PE teacher Kai and social worker Sanam have been refreshingly down-to-earth since leaving the villa. And although Sanam was almost overcome with nerves before the ceremony, they melted away as she finally walked down the aisle.
Accompanied by the sound of live steel drums as a nod to her Trinidadian roots, she tells us, “I couldn’t even look at Kai. I was trying not to cry again, but the second I held his hand, it all just disappeared.”
For Kai, the morning was a little more relaxed. “I just went out for breakfast with my family,” he says. “We were all just laughing and having a good time. Everyone had been so excited about the day – we were buzzing.”
The couple’s decision to incorporate cultural elements into their day made it extra special. Along with Caribbean-infused music and rum punch welcome drinks, the wedding feast included Trinidadian-inspired curry, as well as a classic British roast and a two-tier buttercream cake. “We wanted it to feel like us,” says Kai. “No show, just soul.”
Sanam wowed in two outfits – an off-the-shoulder gown with floral lace bodice and tulle skirt for the ceremony. With Kai looking dapper in a black suit and bow-tie, Sanam – who also has Indian heritage – changed into a custom Indian-inspired dress for the reception.
“It had lots of sequins and traditional detailing,” she says. “It was modern, but it honoured my heritage. I felt so proud. That was so important to us. Having the steel pans playing… that sound just fills you with joy. It felt like home.”
Sanam and her bridesmaids were treated to a full Glam Squad by L’Oréal Paris with whom Sanam works closely, and she shared a fun before-and-after TikTok of herself with her four bridesmaids, all dressed in purple gowns.
The stunning venue was a countryside estate that came fully staffed and included a wedding planner. “We didn’t lift a finger,” Sanam says. “They literally told us to sit down and let them handle everything.”
The setting helped create an intimate and cosy atmosphere – something the couple were keen to prioritise.
“We only had 60 guests,” Kai says. “Looking around, we realised every single person there had a genuine, close relationship with us. That never happens in real life – everyone in the same room, at the same time.”
There were no dramatic Love Island reunions to detract from their day, either. In fact, only one former islander, Ron Hall, received an invitation. “We just don’t have friends from the show like that,” Kai admits. “That’s just how life goes.”
Their first dance was a break from emotion-packed ballads and, instead, they swayed to Ne-Yo’s Sexy Love. “We love R&B,” Kai says. “It just felt right. Not too slow – we could actually move.”
Kai popped the question in April 2024 as the two enjoyed a romantic gondola ride in Cambridge. “I bought the ring and didn’t tell anyone,” he says. “It just felt right.”
Although Sanam didn’t suspect a thing, his smart clothing did raise an eyebrow. “I was like, why are you dressed up?” she says. “I didn’t even have my nails done – they were blue!”
As the boat glided over the water, Kai got down on one knee and blurted out his proposal. “Where was the speech, Kai?” Sanam teases as she nudges him affectionately. “It was perfect. I was so shocked I cried straight away,” she adds.
As a final touch, when they returned home, their flat had been transformed with bright blue flowers, after Kai had it decorated in their absence. “They did a good job,” he smiles.
For Kai, one of the most emotional moments of the wedding was the speeches. “You never realise how much people care until they stand up and say it out loud,” he says. “It really hit me how much love was in that room.”
Sanam’s favourite moment came a little earlier in the proceedings. “Walking down the aisle,” she says. “I just thought, ‘Why was I crying all morning?’ It wasn’t even scary. It was the best feeling ever.”
Since leaving Love Island, the pair have managed to stay grounded. “It’s not about chasing fame,” says Manchester-born Kai. “It’s about finding someone, and staying true to who you are.”
While he has returned part time to teaching, Kai is also working on educational projects including encouraging young people into sport, Sanam, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, continues her advocacy to support young people and is passionate about her job in social work and children’s services.
“It’s who we are,” she says. “That hasn’t changed.”
Having a family is certainly part of their future plans, and Kai jokes, “I want a whole football team! We have agreed two. I definitely need an Mbappé.” However, the prospect of sleepless nights and endless nappy-changing is not something they want to rush into, says Kai, adding, “Right now, we want to travel, build and just enjoy each other.”
“But we have talked about it,” Sanam says. “We’ve also spoken about doing ancestry tests to see how deep our DNA goes so we can bring our kids up to be aware of their cultural heritage.”
While their wedding was clearly everything they hoped it would be, the couple still pinch themselves over how their love story unfolded.
“We never even asked each other to be boyfriend and girlfriend,” Sanam says. “It just happened. We’ve been together ever since the villa.”
And when asked if they’d do any part of the wedding differently, they shake their heads. “Maybe relive it one more time,” Sanam says. “Just to feel it all again. Because it really was the best day of our lives.”
From starring in one of TV’s biggest reality shows to becoming real-life soulmates, Kai and Sanam’s love story is one of mutual understanding and determination to keep things real. And as they embark on their next chapter together, the loving couple truly embody the Love Island endgame.
A huge congratulations to the newlyweds.
