Thursday, December 3, 2009

Shipra aur Saurabh ki Shaadi



The week-long festivities for Vipin’s cousin Shipra’s wedding were both energizing and exhausting! Weddings in India are generally larger than life, and this wedding was no exception. The fun began in Beawar, at Vipin’s mom’s childhood home in Mangal Market, where the entire family convened for three days of music, mehndi, poojas and a lot of food before taking the party to Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh for the sangeet and wedding. The overnight train ride was a new experience for me, most memorable for the craziness of trying to load more than 120 suitcases and bags (of the 60 family members traveling) within the short 3-5 minute window that the train stopped on the platform, and the vendors waking us up early in the morning screaming "chai, garam garam chai." The wedding itself was held in a massive and glittering outdoor venue, with more food and sweets than I’ve ever seen (including popcorn and cotton candy!), and a stage where professional dancers entertained the guests throughout the night. The highlights of the reception were the super high energy, nonstop baraat, and an amazing revolving stage for the Jaimala exchange on which the bride and groom looked like cake toppers. The pictures tell the story best (plus a few videos)…





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