The purpose of this trip was to attend the wedding of our cousin (Roy's youngest Aunt's only child) who they call Deep. (Everyone in India has a nickname- some easier than others) I've known Deep since he was a teenager and was honestly I was excited to attend the wedding.
One of my favorite parts of any Hindu function is the sparkle overload clothing, and of course the pre-wedding henna.
I love henna so much that I even got a tattoo a few years ago that resembles henna.
I've always been fascinated by the looks and dressing style of Indian people, well before I ever met Roy. Being married and coming here so many times has given me the opportunity to embrace that and get involved in a way that not only makes me happy, but makes everyone here happy to see me involved.
Wedding prep in choosing outfits was months in the making and then once we arrived here we purchased all the necessary accessories- bangles, earrings, necklaces and bindis(the colorful decor sticker you put on your forehead) Shopping here is so much fun with all the colorful choices, haggling, and of course the prices. (I spent $28 on 7 items)
Knowing it was going to be a late night, we took a mid-day nap, which hit the spot. Then it was on to getting ready in full makeup, hair, and of course the full sparkle. I truly love every moment of it.
My beautiful nieces.
My youngest sister in law.
My oldest sister in law.
I was told to be ready by 6:30 pm so we could leave the guest house and travel the 30 min to the wedding location. The bride's family is responsible for the wedding preparations and the groom's for the reception, which will be in 2 days. As always, I expected there to be delays and never is a specific time for the wedding to occur mentioned. We did in fact leave the guest house around 6:30 or 7 and with the volume of groom's family members, we took numerous vehicles and headed into the crazy Varanasi traffic just to find out that nobody had the directions to the place and that we needed to go to a place down the street from the wedding venue so that we could partake in some sort of procession to the wedding venue. I have not been part of these activities in the past, as the only weddings I have attended have been part of the brides side, so I didn’t know exactly what to expect; a common feeling for me here.
After arriving near the wedding venue, we were met with a full band, dj truck, and people holding lighted umbrellas who walked us (dancing albeit) all the way to the venue. It was wild.
What’s funny to me about Hindu weddings is once you arrive, most attendees only watch the wedding rituals on and off and are instead chatting or eating. It’s like a wedding and reception combined at the same time, except there is an actual reception 2 days later.
I took the opportunity to try lots of new foods and mingle with the brides family. It was lots of fun and interesting for me to witness.
By the time the bride entered, it was almost midnight. Then only do they pose for pictures and do this exchange of floral garland.
Isn’t she gorgeous??
By 2am, the main wedding had not even started taking place yet, so we left! LOL
And although some people stayed, most do leave at some point before it’s over.
I was clearly told that no events happen the day after the wedding, so we get to just recoup and relax, but at 7am I was informed that the bride and groom were on their way here for some blessings I was required to attend and it was totally fine to come in pajamas. 😎
I performed by obligatory blessings, chatted with the groom, and made friends with the cooks whom I taught to make me American style coffee. 
This guy in the red knows English, which certainly helps the process along.
We will now relax and mingle for the day, catch up with relatives and maybe do some shopping. Looking forward to the reception!
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