The indian Christian Wedding

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The Wedding

We were up early, again next morning, as the wedding was at 10:30AM, and Mum had to go to a beautician to have a wonderful Sari bought for her by Lizzy properly prepared, and have her hair done. For us blokes, this preparation is much easier, and preparation simpler.

By 10AM, we had our car waiting, and we were transported around the corner to the church. Whilst alighting, there were cameras going off everywhere, and a movie camera following our entrance. The Church was a traditional Syrian seminary, and was well decorated. There were people everywhere, and we were ushered up to the front of the church, where our seats were taken.

Right on time at 10:30, the wedding march played, and the Bridal party marched down the Isls, looking splendid. They got to the front of the church, waited for about 10 minutes for something to happen. After some time a minister came out from some curtains and announced that the archbishop, who was performing the days ceremony, woke up unwell this morning, and would be a little late to the church. What a dilemma, as under the Indian Tradition, the couple could not re walk the church to re start the ceremony. They were given two chairs, and had to sit it out up the front.

This then gave licence to all of the pro photographers attached to the service, and they went riot throughout the wedding area. There were photos being taken everywhere, and movies galore.

Eventually, after 45 minutes the priest announced that the archbishop was stuck in a traffic jam, and would be there soon. He did arrive, and performed a beautiful service (although I missed the middle of it, as Dad fell unwell halfway through, and I took him back to the hotel room.

After the service, all of the guests, and half the town of Thiravella drove ½ an hour to the wedding Breakfast. We were greeted at the door, by an Elephant in complete festival costume, a five peice band, and a barman with some delicious pear juice. Inside was a hall that catered for about 500 seated invited guests, and the same number again of locals, that were not specifically invited. In the middle of the room were ice and soap carvings, and down the front (where we were once again seated) was a band, beside a stage, beautifully decorated with a chase lounge for the bridal couple, and dual tables for the wedding party. There were also garlands of flowers, and a scene of colour and happiness. It was all a picture of colour and happiness.

Once we were seated, the bride and groom performed some symbolic gestures, like their first drink together, and the mothers lit candles for happiness together, then they cut the cake (and I didn’t get a piece), and after that they stared having audience with the guests, who then started to leave. It was all over in an instant, which was a bit of a surprise especially when you could see how much work went into the whole event.

But it was wonderful to be there, and in the true Australian tradition, the Aussies were the last ones to depart.

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