Yesterday my daughter got married. I was waiting for the day for many years....and finally it did happen. The festivities started a few days before. On the 26th, a Sunday, the Haldi ceremony was done for my daughter. Haldi is turmeric and holds a special place in Indian homes because of its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. A paste of Haldi along with sandalwood and rosewater is made and applied on the bride-to-be by the near and dear ones. In the north of India, this is known as Ubtan. This ceremony is accompanied by much laughter and singing, (in this case of a Christian north Indian bride marrying a Telugu groom) of hymns in Telugu. In ancient days, when cosmetics and beauty parlours were not available, Indian women had their own ways of making the bride-to-be glow! Haldi has purification properties and cleanses the skin being an excellent exfoliating agent. It detoxifies the skin and has an ingredient known as Curcumin which is an antioxidant and also helps in soothing anxious nerves! In the book of Esther in the Bible, it says in chapter 2 verse 12 - ".....according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women." To watch the video click here.
The next day all the wedding guests started to arrive, actually some had arrived the night before. What a gathering it was, meeting some relatives after thirty odd years....it was awesome! Soon the evening set in and we made our way to the place where the engagement ceremony was to take place. This was also an occasion for us, the bride's side relatives, to meet the groom's family and relatives. It was a formal occasion with introductions from both sides of the families and then the engagement ceremony officiated by a senior family member - a retired clergy along with the sharing of the Word of God by a dear family friend. To watch the video click here.
What a fun time we had the next night when the bride's family got together for Mehndi and dancing. This is a colourful and lively celebration. The bride-to-be and her female relatives have fun getting intricate Mehndi designs done on their hands joined by the bride-to-be's male relatives, with dancing and feasting. Mehndi is actually henna, a medicinal herb, known to cool down fever and is also considered soothing for anxiety! A joyous celebration was had by all, young and old. To watch the video click here.
Finally the wedding day dawned and it was a rainy day but the weather was so pleasant. Soon it was time to get ready to go to church and the rain had stopped too! It was a beautiful and meaningful service and wonderful to see my daughter as the radiant bride and the groom looking so happy on this their special day...no signs of nerves or awkward moments, thankfully! To watch the video click here.
After the wedding ceremony was over, we had to move to the function hall about a kilometer away. The bride and the groom came a little late but once the speeches were over, the line of guests began. A friend of the groom played the flute and another friend of the bride's had come over from Mumbai and sang a special song. The bride's school music teacher and a professional saxophone player provided the live music for the entire evening. The dinner was that typical Hyderabadi cuisine which you only get at weddings! It was a treat to the palate. To watch the video click here.
Seeing my daughter happily married was an answer to prayer, and going through all the days of festivities, my husband and I were humbled by the goodwill from all who came and the favour of God through all the occasions. Our Lord Jesus Christ does more than we can ask or imagine - His Name is Wonderful!
The next day all the wedding guests started to arrive, actually some had arrived the night before. What a gathering it was, meeting some relatives after thirty odd years....it was awesome! Soon the evening set in and we made our way to the place where the engagement ceremony was to take place. This was also an occasion for us, the bride's side relatives, to meet the groom's family and relatives. It was a formal occasion with introductions from both sides of the families and then the engagement ceremony officiated by a senior family member - a retired clergy along with the sharing of the Word of God by a dear family friend. To watch the video click here.
What a fun time we had the next night when the bride's family got together for Mehndi and dancing. This is a colourful and lively celebration. The bride-to-be and her female relatives have fun getting intricate Mehndi designs done on their hands joined by the bride-to-be's male relatives, with dancing and feasting. Mehndi is actually henna, a medicinal herb, known to cool down fever and is also considered soothing for anxiety! A joyous celebration was had by all, young and old. To watch the video click here.
Finally the wedding day dawned and it was a rainy day but the weather was so pleasant. Soon it was time to get ready to go to church and the rain had stopped too! It was a beautiful and meaningful service and wonderful to see my daughter as the radiant bride and the groom looking so happy on this their special day...no signs of nerves or awkward moments, thankfully! To watch the video click here.
After the wedding ceremony was over, we had to move to the function hall about a kilometer away. The bride and the groom came a little late but once the speeches were over, the line of guests began. A friend of the groom played the flute and another friend of the bride's had come over from Mumbai and sang a special song. The bride's school music teacher and a professional saxophone player provided the live music for the entire evening. The dinner was that typical Hyderabadi cuisine which you only get at weddings! It was a treat to the palate. To watch the video click here.
Seeing my daughter happily married was an answer to prayer, and going through all the days of festivities, my husband and I were humbled by the goodwill from all who came and the favour of God through all the occasions. Our Lord Jesus Christ does more than we can ask or imagine - His Name is Wonderful!
