A few weeks ago we received our first invitation to a wedding since we have lived here in Delhi. It was for Slyvia and Solomon, Slyvia being the sister of a colleague of T's.
I was really looking forward to donning my first sari so headed into Old Delhi to buy one. Mel, Hannah and I went in search and found Bansal Saree Emporium in Kinari Bazaar. It was floor to ceiling packed with sari's of all colours and patterns!
I found a sari I liked and unsuccessfully tried to negotiate the price..... he didn't budge, I liked it, I bought.
After buying the sari I then went to Lodhi Colony main market and got my blouse and petticoat custom made, two days later I was all set for action!
Then yesterday the big day finally came for Slyvia and Solomon so T, S and I frocked up. I was wearing my new sari and T in his new favourite outfit - the Kurta pyjama. Just the idea of T getting to wear 'pyjama' to a formal event made him quite excited.
The wedding was to commence at 3.30pm so at 2.45pm Sheela (our cook) and Priya (our housekeeper) came over to assist in getting me into my sari. It took about 15 minutes and thankfully had the assistance of some pins! I felt a little strange but have to say quite like it.
The girls left and Priya went to get ready for the wedding at 3.15pm.... I started to get anxious we would be very late.... 3.30pm arrived, they hadn't ......3.45pm.... nothing so I called - yes yes maam we're coming.... (I am picturing a roll of the eyes down the line). So at 4 pm we finally arrived for the 3.30pm wedding at Sacred Heart Cathedral and yes.... well we were about the only ones there. When will I learn, time means nothing in this town!!! Then at 4.30pm the bride arrives and we are ready for action.
I was really looking forward to donning my first sari so headed into Old Delhi to buy one. Mel, Hannah and I went in search and found Bansal Saree Emporium in Kinari Bazaar. It was floor to ceiling packed with sari's of all colours and patterns!
Our friendly assistant pulled out sari after sari for us to look at and then we each selected a couple to try on. That's when the assistants got even friendlier!!!
I found a sari I liked and unsuccessfully tried to negotiate the price..... he didn't budge, I liked it, I bought.
After buying the sari I then went to Lodhi Colony main market and got my blouse and petticoat custom made, two days later I was all set for action!
Then yesterday the big day finally came for Slyvia and Solomon so T, S and I frocked up. I was wearing my new sari and T in his new favourite outfit - the Kurta pyjama. Just the idea of T getting to wear 'pyjama' to a formal event made him quite excited.
The wedding was to commence at 3.30pm so at 2.45pm Sheela (our cook) and Priya (our housekeeper) came over to assist in getting me into my sari. It took about 15 minutes and thankfully had the assistance of some pins! I felt a little strange but have to say quite like it.
The girls left and Priya went to get ready for the wedding at 3.15pm.... I started to get anxious we would be very late.... 3.30pm arrived, they hadn't ......3.45pm.... nothing so I called - yes yes maam we're coming.... (I am picturing a roll of the eyes down the line). So at 4 pm we finally arrived for the 3.30pm wedding at Sacred Heart Cathedral and yes.... well we were about the only ones there. When will I learn, time means nothing in this town!!! Then at 4.30pm the bride arrives and we are ready for action.
The bride was lead down the aisle by heaps of family and friends, unlike at Christian weddings back home where someone gives the bride 'away' and she didn't look overjoyed by the whole occasion, which is also part of the deal I was told.
The service was obviously in Hindi which made it a bit tricky but S ran around the church, people came in and out, moved seats, chatted..... no one seemed to mind too much. Soon enough they were husband and wife, he removed the veil but no smooch :)
The bride and groom didn't leave the church straight away whereas most visitors took their leave. T,S and I were then summoned to the alter where we were to have some photos with the bride and groom. A little bit strange as I had never actually met either of them before but it was very nice.
Then we all exited the church to drums, dancing and much fanfare, S loved it (even being abducted by other guests - spot in video below)!!!
The band played, guests danced and many a rupee was thrown in the air in celebration!
We took our leave, took S home to bed and then returned at 8pm for the dinner. Now this is were you are on time apparently.... there is food, you are on time.
The tent was set up where all the food stations were and inside the bride and groom sat on the stage being congratulated by visitors and had their picture taken. The noise inside the hall battled with the noise of Dusshera fireworks lighting up the sky outside.
 |
| Sorry for blurred photo - taken on iPhone |
We enjoyed some snacks of aloo kachori, deep fried potato covered in a chilli based sauce (with our without curd - your choice), Indian noodles (very spicy but very good), paneer curry, vege curries, naan, rice followed up with some ice-cream. We then talked with our friends for awhile before going into see the bride and groom who apparently have to sit on the stage for 2 - 3 hours!
After we paid our respects to the bride and groom it was time to go, the night dressed up in my a lovely sari was at an end. We thanked our host and entered the Delhi night leaving a wedding that was sure to go into the wee hours of the morning.
No comments:
Post a Comment