An Indian wedding- Part 3

Everyone was dressed in their best and the wedding procession was ready to depart. We would travel by several cars to reach the resort 14 kms away from Nike's house. The resort was the venue for the wedding.

I was introduced to Ved and Ami, two girls whom we'd been expecting just before the wedding procession was to leave for the resort. It was taken for granted that all of Nike's friends would like to be together. Everybody who met the girls took a liking to them.

Ved seemed to be an extrovert, with a smile ever ready on her face, her eyes a portraying mischievous nature. Ved originally hails from Ahmadabad but studies in Sydney. She had come all the way from there to attend the wedding.

Ami on the other hand, was the quiet type with charming manners.I also saw her funny side which made her all the more likable.
Now..it wasn't just my feeling but also a fact, as I found out. She studies in one of the top business schools in India and is determined to make a name for herself in the world.

*Since then, I've got to know them better and I can't say I was wrong about them. I quite admire both the girls for their tenacity to live life on their terms.*

We got on like house on fire and set out to attend the wedding finale of our friend, Nike.

Normally the wedding procession travels with great pomp and fare, dancing on the music the band plays and so on. It was no different here.

Once we reached the resort, we joined the Nike's family who was dancing. Ved had to be pushed to dance and the guys were absolutely unenthusiastic! It was I and Ami joined the dancing procession. We danced away with the other girls from the family and enjoyed the procession.

When we reached the area where the wedding rituals were to take place, the bride's family was there, waiting to welcome the groom.
BTW, the area in which the wedding rituals are held is called a "MANDAP"

After everyone settled down, the wedding ceremony started with Nike sitting in the mandap & Pretty's parents performing the regular rituals.

Once that part was done with, the bride was called upon.
Pretty came in looking beautiful, decked in a heavy sari and loaded with jewels. She also looked nervous to begin with when she entered the mandap.

Slowly as the wedding proceeded I, Ved and Ami sighed with pleasure when we saw Pretty smiling up lovingly at Nike, and him smiling back; happiness evident on their faces. Purrfect!

We were sitting at a short distance from the mandap where the wedding ceremonies were taking place & could see things happening clearly.
We'd tease Nike from time to time by gestures and looks and a smile would come upon his face.
Ami took photos of the wedding. It was quite enjoyable.

NOTE THIS: This wedding was between Nike who comes from Kachchh and Pretty who comes from Maharashtra-Karnataka border area. So it was natural that the wedding would be a amalgamation of customs.

For example, once the wedding is over, Marathi custom says the bride is to be gifted toe-rings by her sister-in-law. We don't have that custom usually.
Similarly money (in small coins) exchanges hands from the head of the family to the bride in Kachchh. It means to denote that the bride is welcomed as a Goddess and offered family heritage.

Lunch was served once the wedding rituals were over. Only the best was served with no expense spared. It was the wedding of the rich indeed!

Nike and Pretty were making rounds, being blessed by their family. Finally, we got to congratulate them. It was lurvly seeing them so happy.
We would meet them again in the evening, at the reception.

Once we left the wedding place, we all decided we'll spend some time together.

The others wanted to see the Port which is a stone's throw away from the city. However they were in for disappointment. It being a Sunday, the port was closed.
Finally, we decided to stay put in the city and go somewhere for a cup of coffee.

Ummm..the coffee was horrid. I must admit that we don't have a good coffee shop in my hometown.
Nevertheless, it was enjoyable spending time together.