The Indian wedding doesn't disappoint

I knew it was going to be elaborate, but no clue the extent of it.  I think it will be best told through narrated pictures- trust me, it was truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

 

The bride Debika- doesn't she look incredible?

Gorgeous hair!

The wedding car

The wedding Mandap- a platform where the marriage happens

A sign Roy had made out of styrofoam- pretty cool

The bride waiting in her room for the wedding to start

The groom arrives in the wedding car

The tradition is that the groom should not walk on the ground until he reaches the Mandap....

So Roy carried him.



The groom- Shubro

My father in law sitting for some pre-wedding rituals

The groom changes and stands on a stone that the bride earlier stood on for some rituals. 7 married men then circle him with these flowers made from cloth which are lit on fire.

The bride is carried out on a platform with her face hidden with banana leaves. She then circles the groom 7 times.

They then 'see' each other for the first time (for some people it is really the first) while under the cloth of a deceased elder.

The wedding rituals begin, and go on for the next 2 hrs as guests come and go and eat and sit and basically carry on like nothing is happening.

The main Hindu sign of marriage- sindoor, a red powder is put on the part of her hair.  The first time the groom does it with his wedding ring, from that point forward the wife puts it on every morning that her husband is alive to show that she is under his protection.

Throwing the 'popcorn' we made the night before in this fire the priest made (he is the same priest in my original blog who lit that giant fire in our house as a family ritual was carried out)

Roy and his father looking very sharp. I purchased both of their suits without them present, and they both fit perfect with no alterations needed- how good am I?

Roy giving some final blessing

After the wedding, the groom's family bargains with the bride's family to let them in the bride's dressing room.

The next morning we returning (many of the aunts, mom and dad, and Roy spent the night there in the purpose of keeping the bride and groom apart- the tradition is not to spend anytime alone until night 3 after the wedding.)

The bride and groom circling the fire 7 times together.

Final blessings from mom

A special moment with Dad

The bride then throws more of that 'popcorn' over her shoulder into her mother's sari as symbol that she is thanking them for all the years they provided for her, but now her debt is paid.

A sad moment between sister's as Debika is now part of Shubro's family.

Brother saying goodbye, and then in the words of Roy's 78 year old uncle who narrated the whole wedding to me in broken English- "'Debika.....Cab.....Gone".

And with that, Shubro's family all left for the train station and we left for home.  It was beautiful, educational, and sad.  I think everyone is glad it is over, and luckily i will get to see her one more time in just a few days when we leave for Siliguri where the groom's family reception will take place.  Only Roy and I are attending so of course i will be taking lots of pictures!