Buddhist Wedding Day

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Today is wedding day!  There was a little panic as there is only one car and 7 people and child to transport to the wedding, on the other side of town.  Our friend made arrangements with his family on how to best manage the logistics.

First we ate one of the huge papaya we had been given at the farm.  Another neighbour had invited us over for tea. So, dressed in our wedding outfits, we went to visit the lovely family, have a chat and of course, have some selfies.

Our friend then dropped us to the gurudwara, which is half way to the wedding venue, whilst he went to get ready and transport his family.  However, once outside the gurudwara everyone wanted their picture taken with us.  We decided not to go in as we had limited time and had been before and did not want to spend all our time having selfies. We also needed to get to the shop where we had purchased the wedding outfits to collect our friend's altered one. 


The shop was closer than we thought so we explained we had come to collect our friend's outfit and that he was on his way, but by this time already running late.  They kindly gave us somewhere to sit, provided us with some water and even made us coffee!   When our friend arrived he quickly changed into his new outfit.

As we were now running rather late, the plans had changed.  Christine was to go in the car with our friend, his mother, sister, aunt and nephew and Darryl was to go in an auto with his dad.

We met at the venue.  We were immediately escorted to the stage where our arrival was announced to a room of 200+ people.  We were presented with ceremonial scarves and then our other friend, the policeman and his wife presented us both with flower garlands.  A few more selfies and we were ushered off the stage as the bride and groom were having some photos taken.


The bride and groom were both dressed in white as this is a Buddhist wedding and the ceremony was conducted by a monk.  The wedding ceremony itself was relatively short with blessings being given by the monk. Whilst this was taking place people were going around handing out fresh marigolds.  At the end of the sevice everyone threw them at the bride and groom.


Lots of photos were taken and the the bride and groom went off to change into their next outfit.  A navy blue suit for the groom and the traditional red and gold for the bride.  Lots more photos and then everyone was invited to go upstairs to eat.  However, we were told we would be eating later, with the immediate family and the bride and groom.  We were given some water and snacks to tide us over.  Lots more photos as the room cleared of the masses and the 'top table' was prepared.


Lunch was served.  A spicy mix of daal, aubergine curry (traditional wedding food), rice, chappati and sweet bundi.  Once everyone had eaten the bride and groom were then given some sweets to feed to each other as part of the wedding ceremony.  Other members of the family then also fed the bride and groom.

The bride and groom headed back to the stage for family photos followed by the final stage of the ceremony.  This is where the family elders wash the feet of the bride and groom.


On the way back from the wedding we stopped at the house of 2 family members who are judges, and had invited us for tea.  We were greeted with a ceremony of a blessing, bindi and being presented with a piece of cloth.  This is a tradition in India when welcoming someone new into your home.  We then drank chai and were presented with a precious family book on Buddhism as a gift to take home.


Back at home the evening was spent chatting and relaxing and some neighbours called in too.


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