After searching all over Kamla Nagar, I finally found a saree shop which could tailor the blouse in the same day! Everyone else claimed they needed at least a week! Plus I fell in love with a light turqoise saree with sequins all over, so I decided to go ahead and tag along to the wedding! I traveled to South Delhi and caught a ride with the American team leader and the President of the South Central club. His wife helped me wrap my saree, and I was very excited about finally experiencing what it feels like to dress like a proper Indian lady.
The wedding was quite huge with several hundred people all milling around under a tent made of silky fabrics complete with chandeliers, gigantic flowers and candle displays, and a stage especially for the bride and groom. The ceremony was just ending when we arrived (they say the ceremonies are traditionally held after midnight, but they are getting earlier and earlier these days), and the couple was seated in front of the sacred fire and was showered by flower petals by all their family memebers. They were then given blessings by the elders.
The bride wore a dress so laden with gold ornaments it’s a wonder it stayed up! On each hand were tied a bunch of golden bells which were tied onto her as blessings from her family. She wears a nose ring that is so heavy that is clipped to her hair with a gold chain as to not damage her nose. He wears a heavy turban and all the male members of his family also wear red turbans to identify as blood relations. He will traditionally begin the ceremony by arriving on horseback! I’m not too sure of the particulars of the wedding ceremony as everyone seems to be more keen on eating, drinking and partying during and after the ceremony rather than watching the priests.
The food was quite extensive… the buffet wrapped all the way around the tent enclosure. There were plenty of non-veg options; a whole goat with it’s face and feet still on was roasting on an open flame for decoration, and various muttons, chickens, goats, lobsters, and shrimps were displayed silver platters. I found some tasty paneer followed by a chocolate mousse and chai! Too good! Everyone was enjoying the two huge bars also, and one table was overflowing with presents for the newlyweds. Overall it was a really good experience to watch the end of the wedding ceremony, see the bride close-up, chat with the toher Americans about their experience, and get to wear my very own saree!
Here are pictures from the event:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/joolrd/Wedding?authkey=Gv1sRgCIqf-cq-4Ii0yAE&feat=directlink
