Wedding Morning (Part 2)

Amy and I really wanted to wear sarees to the wedding. I looked into renting them but it did not seem possible. I also thought about purchasing one, but everything was so last minute that we didn’t have time. We were both so excited when Dimple offered to loan us two of her sarees! The actual saree is “one size fits all” but you need a custom made blouse to wear under it. Dimple was worried because she said that she did not have blouses that would fit us. Amy and I decided that we would purchase “store bought” blouses and Amy would make the necessary alterations. However, this proved to be unnecessary.

The previous night, Dimple had told Amy and I to meet her at her home in the morning. When we got there she had two sarees with accompanying blouses all ready for us. Amy and I tried on the blouses and they fit each of us perfect! I don’t know how Dimple did it but they were made for us! The sarees were perfect and we were so excited. Dimple even had coordinating jewelry to match each saree. She thought it was hilarious when we told her we were going to “youtube” how to put them on.

Dimple gave Amy and I a nice breakfast of chai, biscuits and other sweets that we enjoyed while she and Govind got ready for the day. It was funny how close I felt with them compared to 24 hours earlier! I was busy drinking my chai while Govind was shaving in the same room and Dimple was getting dressed in the other.

It was amazing watching the transformation of Dimple throughout the short amount of time we were at the house. She transformed herself into a beautiful Indian queen within about 30 minutes. It was incredible watching how graceful and smoothly she draped and secured her saree. Her saree, hair, and makeup were absolutely stunning. However, I was surprised that she was already getting ready for the evening as it was only 9:00 am! She cracked up when I mentioned this and exclaimed that this was her outfit for the morning/lunch party that was taking place. Of course, she would be changing for the big event!

Govind and Dimple needed to arrive at the wedding venue early, as their family was hosting the lunch event. We helped the family pack the car and then we piled in with Govind, Dimple, their two boys, another aunt and an 11-year-old niece. The family wanted to show us where the wedding venue was and told us we were to meet them there in about two hours for the lunch event.

Amy and I spent our “break” securing a salon appointment for later in the day. After watching Dimple get ready (for the lunch event!) as well and learning just how complicated it is to put on a saree, we figured we could use a little more help than Youtube could provide us.

When Amy and I arrived at the venue we were blown away! There was a red carpet that we walked on to enter the area. There was a huge stage set up with humungous chairs that the bride and groom were to sit on throughout the event. We were giddy and excited!

Like the wedding, the morning party was also hosted by Pria’s family. From what I gathered, this party was a celebration that welcomed the two families together. There was a gift exchange and with each exchange, the photographers took photos of the various family members holding said gifts. The men and women sat on opposite sides from each other while they watched the event. The groom was not in attendance because he and Pria were not to see each other until later that night.

All the women looked absolutely gorgeous. Their sarees, hair, and makeup were all done to perfection and like Dimple, they would all be changing for the main event. However, Pria was absolutely stunning. I was also able to admire her henna from the night before and it was phenomenal, I wish I had gotten a photo. The henna was covered on her feet, ankles, hands and arms. I have never seen such detailed and beautiful henna before.

After the gift exchange was completed it was time to eat. Once again, there was a massive amount of delicious food and desserts. Everyone kept making sure that Amy and I had eaten and then had eaten again! As we finished our huge and amazing lunch we could not help but wonder how we would have room for the food later that night. I was also getting little concerned about how much my belly would be hanging out of my saree!

After Amy and I could not eat anymore, we decided that it was time to head back, take a rest and begin to get ready for the wedding.

Our “salon” appointment was pretty funny but we really enjoyed ourselves. We arranged to have our henna, hair, and makeup done as well as receive help putting on our sarees. The women were great and so sweet. They secured our sarees perfectly and made sure to grab our bellies to make sure they were hanging out appropriately. They also did a beautiful job on our henna tattoos. However, when it came time to our hair and makeup we quickly realized that we would be “changing” everything they did. Most Indian women have long hair and the women had no idea what to do with ours. Also, dark eyebrows, lip liner and dark brown lipstick it apparently popular in Indian, at least for the women doing our makeup. I would have been okay to have the dark lips “when in Rome” but the lip liner was a bit too much for me! When we left the salon, the women and the husband of one of the women were so proud of transforming Amy and I into “Indian Women”. Many selfies and photos were taken, hands were shook and chai was shared.

Amy and I were able to reapply our own makeup when we got back to the hotel and Amy did a fabulous job on our hair. As we were getting ready, I acknowledged that our room was a complete mess. There were piles of clothes, shoes, chai cups, brushes, chargers, bags from shopping, and makeup everywhere and I felt really happy! It was great to have some much-needed quality “girl time”. I have not blasted music and gotten ready for a “night out” with a good friend in a long time! It was also cute because when we were leaving the hotel all the employees were complimenting us and taking photos for us. It was like an “Indian Prom! We climbed aboard a tuk-tuk and headed to the wedding.