An Indian Wedding Story

I cannot take you through it all blow by blow, there's just too much to remember, but it was really something to sit through. At times it was drawn out and boring, at times there was a lot going on and almost too much to keep track of. Certainly there was too much food, at least for us. And the best part is that we got to participate in parts of it too.

Isha, Cindy and Ari had been shopping during the week for outfits to wear-2 each. There was a mixup and Cindy thought that the store had given her 3 and not one for Isha, but that got straightened out later. Saturday we had to pick up the items being tailored (one Salwar for Isha, and 2 Saris for Ari). Unfortunately we didn't take pictures, so we'll have to wait for copies from the wedding photographer who took several. At the same time Anna got 2 outfits as well. So we were all set.

We were told we could come as early as 6, though it wouldn't start till 7. This was good because Manju also had a wedding to go to. The downside is that we got to sit around for an extra hour before it started. The reception started with a procession leaving the wedding hall--it was the same hall where my assistant was married last year (not surprising as it was her brother's wedding). They came back with the couple in much finery, with a cloth behing held over their heads (on top of an umbrella). Then the long reception started. I heard an estimate of 1200 people came through and had to have their pictures taken (along with video) with the Bride and Groom. During this, we spent a lot of time just sitting around and waiting/watching the goings on. Some of the children in attendance found us and of course we were a curiosity. Also they enjoyed looking at the pictures that Cindy took of them. One of the girls, I hope I am spelling her name right-Aishwaria, is a real pistol. She asked to see the my camera, to see the pictures and then asked to take one of me. After this she took off with my camera and went around taking other pictures, some of which turned out nicely. Some time during the evening she also figured out there was a video feature and took a few videos too.

Some time during the evening we got to get dinner downstairs. It was pretty much the same as the last wedding here, except that they arranged a special table for us so that we would not hold up the process for all of the others getting food. They also provided bottled water for us, which the others didn't get. We were all served too much food-on banana leaves, and without utensils.

By about 10:30 or 11 the last of the guests had gone through the line. The bride and groom finally got to go down and eat themselves. We were invited to stay for afterwards, when the bangle pooja would be. This is a ceremony with the priest, and the bride, and many of the females in attendance. The men just get to hang around and wait-as I was told.

Ari and Maya were too tired by about 11:30 or 12, so they went to the hotel where we had a couple rooms. We got the hotel close by so we could be there again early in the morning, and yet sleep fairly comfortably.

Cindy and Isha got invited to sit up on the stage area, and participate in the bangle pooja. I took a few pictures, but with Cindy's camera, so she will have to load them up for people to see. Basically the bride gets a set of these black glass bangles, and then she gives some to all of the other women (I think in the family). They are supposed to be worn for the next 21 days. After this we went off to go to sleep.

Sunday morning we came back. The driver was a bit late, we expected to leave the hotel around 7:30, but he came at 8. So we arrived and I went to have some breakfast. All of the others just had coffee(except for Maya) because they were still full from the night before. It was served similar style. As I was eating I heard the band start up again. The bride and groom were entering the hall from downstairs.

When we arrived upstairs, we could see that the decorations on stage had all been changed, there was now a canopy for the remaining part of the ceremonies. Again I am sure I am forgetting the order of things. But there was a ceremony where the bride and groom came out. They were separated by a sheet held up by family members. They were standing in small baskets on either side of the sheet, and they had to reach across with various colored stuff to dribble on each others' heads. I believe it was rice, but I'm not sure. Then at some point the priest pulled the sheet away, and the pooja went on to the next phase.

Later in the morning there was a ceremony where the guests and family got to come up, pour milk over the clasped hands of the bride and groom. In/on their hands were flowers, coins and a coconut. After pouring 3 times, then one took rice and blessed the couple again. This took at least twenty minutes and the bride and groom had to sit there facing each other holding hands and the objects the whole time(well almost, the bowl underneath filled up once and the groom went to empty it). Cindy got some pictures of Maya, Ihsa and Ari doing this, I didn't.
I'm sure there was more, but I cannot remember it all. What I do remember is that it was really interesting to see and very touching to be allowed to participate. It was at times slow, but the overall feeling was really warm, human, relaxed, and it was obvious that this is all part of life. Some people stayed, others came and went. It was obviously an honor for people to be there, but the children were allowed to play. All in all, I enjoyed myself, but more importantly I felt honored to be allowed to be there the whole time we stayed. We left after lunch feeling full, tired, and blessed.