Not only are there billions of weddings happening state side, but it’s also wedding season in Nepal! Weddings are very very different here and take place over a week’s time with a different party, gathering, or task almost everyday. This week there have been two weddings in Sneha’s family. One wedding we were on the groom’s (a distant cousin) side and attended the two main parties, both held in beautiful five star hotels. Events vary depending on family and caste traditions. An interesting part of this cousin’s wedding is that the groom is from the Nawar caste and the bride is Tibetan so there were some differences in traditions which made for a slightly different wedding in terms of traditions. The first party was the engagement and when the groom came to get the bride. The timing of this event is very important and a priest is consulted so that the right date and time of engagement is used. The next party we went to for this wedding was three days later and is a huge celebration for both the bride and groom. The highlight of this party was GREAT food. We turned it into a four course meal that included falafel and hummus…need I say more?
Now onto the more exciting wedding: Shailee Di! Shailee is Sneha’s first cousin on her mom’s side. Her mom’s side is super close so it makes for some exciting (and sometimes dramatic) events. The really great thing about these events is that I’ve really been accepted as part of the family, given little tasks to do to help out, and just be a part of everything. Unfortunately, I’m not sure how well I can explain all the events, but I’ll tell you more or less what I saw and who was there. Where to begin? Before the wedding there are lots of parties and preparation on both the groom’s and bride’s side. So on Shailee’s side we started off with receiving gifts from the groom’s side. These gifts are received but returned to the groom’s house later in the week (except for the perishables) with even more gifts. Next, was a very informal mehndi or henna party with all the ladies on the bride’s side. We all got beautiful designs all over our hands that will last about a week or more. That night we went to one of Shailee’s uncle’s house and had a very small dinner party with some of the closest cousin’s and friends. The food was absolutely delicious especially with fresh sushi! A few days later the engagement took place between 2 and 5AM, which I definitely slept through. The next morning the groom came to get the bride at the Army Club. There were lots of traditions and pujas for the bride, groom, and family to complete so it lasted all morning and afternoon. One of the traditions is for the bride’s family (especially the girls) to hide the groom’s shoes and then bargain a price with the groom to get them back. That happened on this day too while Shailee was accepting gifts from family and friends. The day ended with the bride and groom getting into a horse drawn carriage. The guests are supposed to start crying for the bride as she leaves and follow the carriage out onto the road. It was such a long, warm day, however, that there weren’t too many tears. Then that night we (some of the closest girl cousins and friends) went to visit Shailee at her new home, which is at her in-laws. It was a long and exhausting day. Other events of the wedding week is a party hosted by the groom’s family when all the gifts are returned and the final party where everyone attends, eats great food, drinks great drinks, and dances all night long. That’s this upcoming Saturday and I’m really excited to wear my second saree!
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