A Very Special Wedding

We've been friends with Mickey since 2004, so when he told us he was getting married we were so excited! We immediately cleared our calendar and made sure we'd be home for the big event. I bought a new sari and Mickey gave Josiah a sherwani to wear. Because Mickey is a Sindhi Hindu, his wedding was different from any other weddings we've attended. He asked us to come to the baraat (the procession of the groom to the wedding) at 4:00. We went to his home and watched as many Hindu ceremonies were performed. Then we danced, sang and threw confetti before we started walking to the ceremony. In all the weddings we've been to, the groom rides a horse to the ceremony, but Mickey actually rode in a car behind us. On the way he stopped at three temples to offer pooja.

Here we are with Mickey. I'm guessing that the money around his neck is to keep away the evil spirits.


Josiah with Mickey's cousin during the baraat.


Josiah and I are taking a break from the walking.


Josiah and Papa waiting at one of the temples that Mickey had to go to before reaching the ceremony.


During the baraat there was a lot of fireworks set off and some really gross smelling colored smoke.


In addition to confetti, they sprayed fake snow all over each other.



Another video of people dancing during the baraat.

The actual marriage ceremony began at the third temple but we didn't stay for that part. We finally left the baraat at 7:00. Yes, that's right it took us two and a half hours to walk six blocks! We had to leave because Mickey wanted us to come to the reception at 9:30 and we knew Josiah would need a nap before that. We took Josiah home for a nap and then came to the reception at 9:30. Mickey and his new wife, Roma, showed up around 10:30 and we got to meet her for the first time.

Josiah's crawling on the stage while we were waiting for Mickey and Roma to come.

Josiah dancing on the stage.


Roma, Mickey and Josiah.


Josiah on Papa's shoulders.


All Indian weddings and receptions have lots of good food. This is a mocktail (or mock cocktail) table. They are so good and come in all kinds of great flavors.


This is a dosa table. The man at the top of the slide makes the dosa and the man at the bottom serves it. Dosa's are SO yummy - even Josiah enjoys them!


Josiah and Mom in front of a fountain. He's getting really tired at this point.

We had a great night and still made it home a little after 11 - not too bad for an Indian wedding!

Wedding in South Asia

Traditional Formal Wear

Bride and Groom

Groom arriving at the wedding ceremony on horseback

Elephant leading the procession to the wedding ceremony; followed by camels, wedding guests, men carrying lights, musicians and finally the groom on horseback.

Last night Aaron & I attended the wedding of a Hindu friend. It was the nicest wedding we've been to so far here in South Asia. The thing about weddings here is that they are long and very expensive. At 8:30 last night the groom mounted his horse and began the procession to the wedding. There was a large band and the grooms' family and friends danced their way to the garden. Although it was only a few kilometers away, it took an hour and a half for them to arrive. Also included in the wedding procession was one elephant and two camels.
The bride was, of course, beautiful in her beaded gown which can weigh between 5 and 10 pounds. She was adorned with all kinds of jewelry and glittery things.
There was a ton of good food and lots of people. We arrived at 9:45 and stayed until after midnight. The actual wedding ceremony had not even started yet when we left! The groom told us that he and his new bride would be performing all kinds of ceremonies and rituals with their families until 3:00 or 4:00 the next afternoon. Weddings are certainly one of the best cultural experiences here in South Asia...of course Aaron just likes the all you can eat buffet!!