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• Wedding Day

  Sumeet & Raashee’s wedding was a traditional Indian multi-day festival like affair. Indian weddings not only involve the “to be married” couple but also their families and friends, all of who come together to mark the celebration of the union in a vibrant and grand way.

   

  Wedding was a 5-day event starting with “Poor” which is a prayer ceremony (Amrit Vani Path) and Langar (holy meal) at Raashee’s place on April 29^th. This is event only takes place on the Bride’s side Where 11 married women participate. This is to kick off wedding celebrations with blessings of God

   

  Countdown to the big day had begun and excitement was building up and could not be contained. So on May 5^th, Saturday a simultaneous event took place at both Sumeet’s and Raashee’s homes called “Sangeet”. Sangeet which literally means music is a party night where family and close friends gather for an evening of drinking & dinning, singing & dancing. Night started with singing on traditional folk wedding songs that have prevailed over generations, to the beat of Dholki (a drum like instrument). Following that, crowd went wild to show some moves on the dance floor to the mainstream bollywood party music. Nothing ends better than a lavish dinner after all this workout.

   

  Now the D-Day was only a week away, hence lot of action on both sides. On May 9^th, smaller pre-wedding rituals took place at Raashee’s home in NY and on May 11^th for Sumeet in VA. These included Banna, Viah Haath, Gauri Pooja, Thapa & Sainth. Banna is beautifying and adorning of the bride was completed on Thursday May 10^th evening with application of Henna, exquisite, intricate designs were drawn on both hands, going as high as the elbow and both feet reaching almost to the knees. It is said that darker the color the applied Mehendi leaves, more love the bride receives from the new family.

   

  By now everyone was counting hours for the wedding taking place at Sheraton in Arlington, VA on Saturday May 12^th.

  Wedding day events began with Sumeet’s Sehra Bandi. A turban with a veil of flowers was placed on his face as he approaches to marry his bride and was presented with gifts from his family members. The family shared a prayer that all will go well with the wedding and the future of the bride and groom.

  Sehra Bandi was followed by Baraat (groom’s procession). Sumeet in a royal style, adorned in authentic Indian gear, ridding on a horse, his family, friends and guests following him, came to marry Raashee. At the door, he was received by Raashee’s brother Mudit and his friends, where Sumeet had to bribe them (Dwar Chikai) to get in. These innocent yet fun filled tricks make Indian wedding so much more exciting.

   

  Funtivities were followed by Milnee ceremonies where Sumeet’s family members were greeted and honored by Raashee’s family members. By now Sumeet was eager to catch sight of his beautiful bride, waiting at the Mandap (the canopy under which a wedding ceremony takes place). While he was waiting, Raashee’s mom preformed the Mintee ceremony.

   

  Now came the time every one had been waiting for. Raashee entered dressed in an elaborate, deep crimson color bridal outfit, looking like a princess, walking under the bed of white and red roses, escorted by Mudit and his friends.

  Wedding ceremonies started with Jai Mala (exchange of garlands) followed by Kanyadaan (Kanyadaan is a ritual in which the bride's father entrust her daughter to the groom. In the ritual of Kanyadaan the bride's parents give their daughter to the groom by putting the bride's right hand into the groom's right hand (Hastamelap, which means joining of hands) while reciting sacred verse), Saat Phere (The bride and groom walk around the sacred fire seven times.  With each round, they seek the four basic goals of life: Dharma: to lead and live a life of righteousness; Arth: material prosperity to make life happy; Kamma: energy and passion in life; Moksha: detachment from worldly things and attainment of salvation.   The bride leads in the first three rounds and the groom then leads the bride) and Sindoor Daan (The groom places “sindoor” (sacred red powder) on the crown of her head.  This signifies the mark to a married woman and acts as a symbol of the husband’s love, integrity and devotion towards his wife). During the wedding rituals, the couple made seven vows to each other in front of family and friends.

  1. I promise to love you and be faithful to you always.
  2. I promise to put our love and marriage in front of all social, cultural and religious differences.
  3. I promise to always respect your family.
  4. I promise to always respect you in front of your family or friends.
  5. I promise to concern you in all financial matters.
  6. I promise to take care of you in all stages of life, regardless of any adversities.
  7. I promise to work together so we can both be good citizens and help our society.  

  The priest recited sacred mantras and hymns stressing the need for harmony and devotion in life.  The bride and groom took seven steps together with God as their guide, each step with a specific vow as the foundation of a happy married life:

  1. First step is for prosperity, health and vitality.
  2. Second step is for physical, mental and intellectual strengths. 
  3. Third step is for wealth and comfort. 
  4. Fourth step is for happiness and harmony through mutual love and trust. 
  5. Fifth step is for children and longevity. 
  6. Sixth step is for nature’s bounty and a contented family. 
  7. Seventh step is for companionship and eternal love for one another. 

  In the end priest pronounced Sumeet and Raashee as Man & Wife.

  This was the most memorable moment for the newly wed couple and everyone’s happiness for them was event by the eagerness on their faces to congratulate Raashee & Sumeet.

   

  Following traditional ceremonies, guests were served cocktails and h'oderves.

   

  To celebrate the much awaiting union, both families had planned a Reception Dinner to take place right after the wedding ceremonies. Reception was conducted by Sumeet’s uncle, Mr. Amar Erry, who cordially welcomed all guests and then introduced VIPs of the evening – Sumeet parents, Mrs. & Mr. Erry, Raashee’s parents – Mrs. & Mr. Gupta, Sumeet’s sister & her family – Manisha, Rajiv, Ria & Mona, and Raashee’s brother – Mudit.

   

  Manisha humbly thanked all the guests who had made all the way to the wedding from far and away places. Mudit raised the toast to the just married couple and his love and affection in the form of a song brought tears in everyone’s eyes.

   

  Party kicked off by cutting the cake and couple’s first dance as a married couple. Sumeet & Raashee swayed to the tunes of Sway. Mona, Sumeet’s niece, then congratulated the duo with a dance performance. Party was livened by Bhangra performance of Preeti & Marshal, which is an integral part of Punjabi culture and by far most popular Indian dance form.

   

  Air was warming up and just needed an ice-breaker for the non-stop dance session to begin. Raashee’s mom along with friends performed Jaago (a Punjabi wedding folk tradition). Dance floor was now officially open for all guests and did not take more than couple minutes to fill up. No one could resist the vigor, enthusiasm created by catchy music played by the NY DJ.

   

  The fun and frolic ended with an emotional note, Doli, the official handoff-send away of Raashee. This part of the Indian weddings is most touching.

   

  Day ended past midnight but was a beginning of a wonderful companionship full of love and togetherness.