Wedding Crashers

when we first arrived, our language teacher, Protima Didi said that she'd like to take us to a wedding, and that she'd have her eyes open for a wedding we could go to. a few weeks ago, she was invited...and so were we (i'm not exactly sure if she asked if she could bring us, or what...but we all showed up with her!). The father of the bride owns a chain of sweet shops in Kolkata - so it was a NICE wedding.

it was so different from an American wedding. i think in part because a wedding here has so many different ceremonies and processes. its an all day affair...really its a 3 day affair - from what i understand. One thing i will say is that Indians know how to dress up! everyday as i walk down the street i love looking at all the different Sari's and their beauty! and the jewelry...the colors - its amazing, at the wedding where people had on their best - wow...such beauty!

now, i'm my no means an expert in weddings... but we watched a few of the rituals - their final engagement, the welcoming of the groom by the bride's mother - and then when the bride and groom meet, and exchange garlands (which i understand to be a bit like "exchanging rings/making vows" in an American wedding.) it was a fun ceremony, with laughter, and a spirit of joy. the following morning the bride goes to the groom' s family's house (leaving her family...and becoming a part of their family), and the day after that, there will be a party as big as the one we were at given by the groom's family.

the "in-law" relationship is quite different here in India than it is in America. The parents of the bride and groom forge quite a strong relationship. They'll spend time with one another without the kids around (which just doesn't seem to happen in America). In many ways, the two families really do become one.

it was interesting how the ceremony was somewhat peripheral to the "event" they were in small rooms - while the food/eating/band were in a large open area. it would have been quite simple to just come and eat and celebrate...and never see the bride and groom.

The food was amazing...tons of sweets, fresh fruit, amazing chicken and fish, more sweets, handmade ice cream (i watched them spinning it by hand in a barrel of ice), cold coffee with ice cream, there was also a vegetarian selection of food, and a Mongolian grill...it was quite a spread! and we were loving every minute of the eating!

the whole evening was quite an experience....i'm thankful for the chance to go to at least part of a Bengali wedding.