Weddings

Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to attend 2 weddings. I wanted to share a few pictures from each.

The first wedding was an arranged marriage of one of our security guards. When we arrived, we were immediately taken to the front of the ceremony and given chairs to sit in (everyone else was on the floor). It was an awkward and embarrassing moment for me. Luckily, my good friend was there - who is experienced in this sort of thing - so I followed her lead and stayed calm and smiled.


This is the reception hall. We planned it so we would arrive for the reception only, but they were running 2 hours behind so no one was there. We jumped back in the car and drove to the ceremony.


Me and Paige



Now we are at the ceremony where the bride and groom are receiving advice and blessings I guess. It was all in Tamil so not quite sure. The minister had a bible out so that was a good sign.



As you can see, I was so far up front that I was practically facing the bride and groom.

They had a small band that would play music in between the talking. Sounded very much like polka music.

The vocalist

It is official! They are married. Don't they look so happy? This was the expression on their faces the whole time. My friend and I were waiting for one of them to pass out or lose their lunch, if you know what I mean.

A group shot at the receiving line. Since everything ran so late, and it was a school night, we opted to go home instead of back to the reception.

Three friends!

The second wedding was also arranged. The groom was a co-worker of Corey's. The ceremony for this one was at 4:30am - customary for Hindu weddings. We opted to go to the reception which took place in the evening. It took 1 1/2 hours to get there - we waited in line to say hi to the happy couple - ate some food for a few minutes - then 1 1/2 hours back home. I think our total time at the reception hall was 30 minutes.

The bride and groom. Why the long faces again? I really don't know.

A traditional Indian wedding dinner. Little piles of food and bread on a large banana leaf. To be eaten with your right hand. The kids ate a little bread and the ice cream. I actually ate all of my food (while quietly praying inside that I wouldn't regret it the next day). I was hungry.

Family shot.

What you don't see are the two guys directly in front of us that "babysat" us while we ate. I think they were assigned to "the Americans" to make sure we knew what we were doing. It was very thoughtful of them but awkward to be stared at the whole time. You'd think I would be used to it by now.....not yet.