The winter months provide the perfect weather for weddings here. Most of the marriages are still arranged by the parents, especially for the lower class. The upper and middle class are trending towards love marriages in the sense that if a couple meets while at university than the parents will research the other family and then give (or not give) approval for the marriage. The wedding celebrations last for a week. In this one week period you have the engagement announcement, the wedding, the reception, the groom's party, and the bride's party. In February we have had the honor of being invited to a Bou Bhaat (bride's feast) for a Hindu marriage, and a reception for a Muslim marriage.
Bou Bhaat literally means "bride rice". Traditionally, it would be the first meal that the bride makes for her husband's family. This day and age, a Bou Bhaat is a wedding feast in honor of the bride. The Bou Bhaat we went to was for a middle school student's cousin's bride (the uncle of the groom invited us...the more the merrier!). We arrived at 8:00pm, as stated on the invitation, and quickly learned that the norm is to arrive fashionably late. We were the first ones there!! However, because we arrived "early" we were able to meet the bride and groom personally, talk with the student and her parents, get prime seating to view the bride, and we were able to leave right after we ate to get home to BJ :) Below are some pictures of the wedding:
The student, the bride, and the student's mother.
A group photo. Since this celebration is honoring the bride, the groom (seated next to the bride) did not dress in the traditional wedding attire.
The bride's father was enamored by Brian and sat by him almost the entire time. He spoke enough English for Brian to carry a conversation with him. The father heavily insisted that Brian take a picture with him and the happy couple. It was very humorous to me to see all four of them squeeze onto the tiny bench! Brian was a good sport :)
I LOVE the expression on the father-of-the-bride's face!
The bride was constantly getting photographed or recorded. Most of the time she didn't smile, as per their custom.
The bride and her girlfriends. One the beautifying rituals for the bride is to whiten the skin with makeup. In this culture, the paler the skin the more beautiful the person.
The happy couple. Notice the bride's ornate nose ring. Instead of a ring on the finger, the nose ring symbolizes marriage.
Food!
The guests enjoying dinner.
All dressed up!
The other reception that we went to was for a high school student's sister. We took BJ along with us :) For this celebration both the bride and groom were dressed in their wedding attire. The reception hall was divided into two halves: one side for the bride, one side for the groom. Each side had a stage with a bench for the bride/groom to sit on, lots of seating facing the stage so people can gaze at the bride/groom, and tables for dining.
The gorgeous bride! If you look closely you can see the mendhi on her forearms, hands, and even nails.
Mommy and BJ having dinner.
Daddy is so much fun!
It took a little bit of time but BJ eventually felt comfortable enough to run like a crazy man through the reception hall.
The groom arrived as we were leaving.
Strings of lights line the street where a wedding festival is being held.
Family photo. (I choose to wear a nicer shalwar kameez because BJ was coming with us and it is VERY hard to chase a 2-year-old in a sari!)
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