my first Indian wedding...

Have I mentioned before on the blog that I work for neurosurgeons? Well, I work for neurosurgeons. My current position is Editorial and Events Manager. {recently promoted, thank you very much!} One of the neuro residents recently got married and Katie and I attended the Indian festivities held at Eastridge Country Club in saris, an Indian garment often worn to weddings. These two lovebirds had quite a weekend with Friday's Catholic ceremony and Saturday's Vedic wedding ceremony! Saturday's ceremony kicked off with unusual but tasty cocktails before the Barat. The Barat is when the groom arrives for the wedding on a horse. Accompanied by loud music, his family and friends danced around him, escorting him to the bride's family. I don't know about you, but having the groom arrive on a horse with loud Indian music while men, women, and children dance along was new to me! I was giddy with excitement.

The bride's family welcomes the groom's family and they exchange garlands, as a sign of the joining of the families. Then the wedding ceremony begins. Many prayers are offered in the Sanskrit language before the bride even enters the ceremony. (You just thought a Catholic wedding was long!) A few snacks are distributed among the aisles as what seems like a way to build anticipation for the bride's arrival, but I am sure they serve some symbolic purpose. 

Garlands are exchanged between bride and groom, signifying their desire to be married. An hour later, when the bride sits on the grooms left side, they are married!

Isn't Elizabeth stunning!? The picture on the right is of my friend Laxmi who let Katie and I borrow her saris for the wedding. We arrived early so she could wrap us up properly. If I had done it myself I am certain it would have fallen off when I was dancing! She is such a dear friend.

Following the ceremony, there was another cocktail hour with hor d'oeuvres.

Indian weddings really know how to keep the party progressing! When the doors flew open to the reception hall and I saw the bright pink and purple lights illuminating the floor, walls, and ceiling, I was stunned. I have attended weddings in this room before, but they looked nothing like this!

Eating, drinking, and dancing continued for hours! I copied this gorgeous Indian woman in a yellow sari to learn how to dance. It's all in the shoulders and hips - I'm a good copycat! Katie and I arrived at 3:30 p.m. and left sometime after midnight. I haven't had this much fun in a long time! When we did decide to leave (the bride, groom, and family still dancing away, mind you) there was a taco truck in the parking lot! Are you kidding me? Awesome, just awesome.

Thank you for inviting us to share with you in such beautiful, meaningful, and fun wedding. I pray your union is blessed with everlasting love and happiness.

:: xo ::