a Southern Indian wedding

A work colleague of mine invited us to her son's wedding. We graciously accepted and were in for a treat. I probably have more pictures of his wedding than of my own! The colors were incredible and the events fun to observe. We went with another work colleague and her two kids who you'll see throughout our pictures. She's easily recognizable as the other American.

A few observations:
-color, color, color
-its a bit like synagogue services where people come and go the whole time. the ceremony takes place up on the stage, and people in the audience are watching, talking, mingling, and its also ok to get up and get some food from the other side of the hall (although there is an official dinner part of the agenda as well)
-dinner was essentially an intermission of the ceremony. part 1 was a series of rituals and blessings. part 2 seemed to be more celebratory where they throw flower petals (you'll see below) and other fun rituals and traditions bringing the couple together
-next morning was a pooja (prayer) in their home
-following evening was a reception, fairly subdued (everyone says 'you have to go to a North Indian wedding!') but lovely outdoor dinner and a chance to bestow your blessings on the new couple.

The wedding

Outside the wedding hall on your way in

wedding stage

much of the ceremony is with the bride and groom (first each separately, then later together), seated on the floor and led by the local priest (left)...and yes this is a guy flying a drone while I was trying to take a picture! Presumably he was a photographer??

will you look at all the flowers??!!!!

Just before the official marriage, a cloth is put between them so they can't see each other

Putting a special paste on each other's heads is the seal of the marriage and is done right at the official wedding time (I believe it was 8:27PM), an auspiciously determined time (and incidentally the time on the invitations, which in fact has nothing to do with the start time of the wedding...much earlier)Ω

I don't have a great shot of all the pretty clothing so this is a glimpse of how gorgeous all the women were dressed. 

Everybody walks across the stage and blesses the couple by putting rice on their heads. 

the bride

the band

 

one of a series of about 40 shots of crazy faces...what happens when the girls get bored and you give them a camera. 

 

the bride's hair

AKP right in the thick of things...part 2 of the wedding.

dare I say she's having fun?

we were seated in the front row :-) Green saree is the mother of the groom

Pooja (prayer at their home)Local

The girls helping to prepare flower offerings

local priests preparing flower offerings 

The pooja itself which takes place at the front of the room in front of the image of Ganesh (the wooden statue in front of the wall) and with only the priests, the newlyweds (2 on the left) and the parents of the groom (2 in the center). Its essentially a private affair - they are seated with backs to everyone the whole time and you are there to watch them participate in this ritual. Will post later a video of the chanting, which I enjoyed. 

Toward the end a women came around marking everyone's forehead and neck with spice powders (I presume)

A visit to Hyderabad

For one afternoon of the wedding weekend, we took a quick trip into Hyderabad with a recommended guide...who was the best guide I've had in India by the way. 

everywhere you go, people want to take pictures with you. we usually say no but agreed for this gentlemen who proceeded not just to take a picture but pose the girls (arm around his daughter) for a series of photos...hilarious.

In front of Charminar, one of the famous sites. We're with a work colleague and her two daughters. 

This and next are a stop in a locally famous persian tea shop

Hyderabad is famous for its bangles...yes, we indulged. 

 

bangle making

hand embroidery of saree blouses

traveling with other kids is the best! for everyone.

Out and About

Halloween

Not really sure exactly but...

Good friends

Weaving center in Orissa