Today was a festive day filled with celebration. It was a long day that started at 8:30AM and ended at midnight, but it was totally worth it. Auntie Gina, Mommy's friend from B-school, got married.
Gina & Aryan's program
Gina brought Mommy a sari from India, but of course I had no idea how to put it on, so I had to go to the temple early to get help from Gina's aunties.
I wasn't the only one who needed help. Here are some of Gina's other friends.
"Here comes the bride" Beautiful bride, Gina with her sisters walk down the aisle
In Indian tradition, the bride is hidden from the groom by a sheet and, after a few words, is revealed
Later in the ceremony, the bride and groom sit together on a swing and have their feet bathed by a family member
Then there are a number of blessings spoken by the "priest", family members going on and off the altar, and there was also food presented and eaten
Each member of the audience was also given a handful of yellow rice. We all walked up to the altar and threw the rice at them to wish them prosperity in their life together
After, they walked and circled each other hand-in-hand
Embraced and fed one another
And stood with their heads pressed together while their parents trickled water between them
The ceremony was almost 3 hours long, so you can see it took its toll on Eddie
But the end was in sight...the families united and they were finally pronounced "husband and wife"
Gina and Me at the cocktail hour
Me and Eddie at dinner
The Columbia crew - Doug P. his pregnant wife Stacy, Me, Eddie, Bill and Rachel
Later on there was a lot of dancing, American, Bangra, old school and modern
Congratulations Aryan and Gina
