A Memorable Wedding
Weddings are occasions for joy, revelry and laughter. Most people look forward to the festivities, fun and frolic associated with weddings: Gaiety and laughter are the factors common to all weddings in spite of regional differences in rituals and traditions.
It was with great alacrity that I received the news of the wedding of my cousin. Very enthusiastically, I began preparing for the big day. I painstakingly chose my costume and the right accessories. The wedding was in Dehradun along with my family, with joyful expectations, we started for Dehradun.
On reaching there, we found that the preparations for the wedding had started well in advance. The entire house bore a festive air, decorated with fresh, fragrant flowers and lights. There were many visitors, friends and outstation guests. The first ceremony was the mehndi ceremony, where henna is applied on the hands of the bride as well as friends and relations. This was followed by the formal engagement where the bride and bridegroom become betrothed by exchanging rings. This was attended by friends and relatives from both sides.
The first day of the wedding saw hectic preparations. Tents were put up, and decorated ostentatiously. The evening saw the bride beautifully bedecked in fine clothes and jewels. Her face beamed with joyful anticipation. As the evening progressed, the other emotions reflected by her face included trepidation mingled with excitement at this momentous event. The bridegroom arrived with friends and family. Dinner was served and most of the guests dispersed after blessing the couple.
The actual wedding ceremony, the key affair, was conducted amidst the chanting of Vedic Mantras and attended by close friends and relatives.
The wedding concluded with the tearful departure of the bride. We bade the newly-wed couple good fortune in the years to come.
