My First experience of South Indian Wedding

Recently I got a chance to attend my friend's wedding. This was the first South Indian Wedding I have attended so far and I must say the experience was overwhelming.

First of all the ceremonies are little bit different here. In this part of country the reception is held prior to the wedding. It was held the previous evening of the wedding. And next day wedding rituals were due. Anyhow we were invited for both ceremonies :)

Stage was decorated with beautiful flowers and the Bride and Groom were standing with their immediate family members, accepting the blessings and greetings of friends and well wishers. Something unusual which caught my eyes was the long queue of visitors to meet the bride-grooms and get themselves clicked ("hamare yaha north me khane k liye itni badi queues hoti hai :)"). It looked like that we were standing in a temple, waiting for a glimpse of our God (Live in concert:)) but this was a unique experience so we also put ourselves in the queue.

Meanwhile, songs were played in the background, although traditional classics but we were impressed by the way these people portray their culture.

After little wait, we were lucky enough to meet the bride and groom and pay our regards and obviously clicked a snap. By the time our stomach started complaining and we sincerely entertained its call and headed towards the dinner hall.

Now things were getting interesting for us. That was my first experience of eating in a mass ceremony. We were made to sit on the chairs with Banana leaves spreaded on tables. This was like perfact traditional touch which I enjoyed thoroughly. Then they started putting different dishes, let me try to recall, some chutneys, rice, sambhar, rasam, sabji, sweets, curd, raita, dosa. It was all south indian cusine but well praepared and lots of varities and yes no spoons so you have to dig into the dishes and enjoy it naturally :)

All the gents were given coconuts and ladies were provided with a coconut and a bowl. This also came as a surprise for us but we welcomed the change. After having the meal we bid goodbye and our wishes to the couple and head back home (kinda typical Indian guests :P "khaya peeya or nikale").

I could not catch much of the action for marriage rituals which I desperately wanted to do :( .

This was my first experience of a south indian wedding and I will cherish the memories for sure and obviously will look forward to attend some more so I am open for marriage invitations :P.

I wish the couple to have a great married life ahead.!!!

Love,
Mayank