It's been a really busy past few days filled with lots of wedding preparations and the wedding itself! Before coming to Pakistan, Sanna's aunt had made us dresses for all 3 of the functions. There would be 3 nights that the wedding would take place. The first night which took place on Friday was called mehndi. The second night is called bharaat and the third night is called walima.
For the first event I got my hair done and then later on would come back and do makeup and get dressed. My dress for this function was a teal green. The mehndi was hosted by the brides family and this event was a more personal one which meant that less people were invited then the next two nights. The mehndi was all about the dancing too. Each sides of the family and including the friends as well prepared many dances! We arrived to the event around 7pm which is when it technically started but people didn't show up until well past 830pm. Then the party didn't start until the bride and groom walked in. First the groom walked in and his whole family and friends walked in behind him. At this point it seemed as though half of the people were now in attendance - even though more people continued to come. Upon entry for the groom we lined up and threw flower petals on him and his crowd following him. Then there were loads of pictures of the groom and his family up on stage for at least 10 minutes. Shortly the bride walked in escorted by her sisters and their husbands. Upon entry there was this decoration over her head which accompanied her until she got on stage to meet the groom. Followed by this was a lot of pictures!! So many pictures with both sides of the families and friends etc. After the pictures it was now past 930 and the dancing was about the begin. Dancing lasted for over an hour with all these rehearsed dances and then after that was the drumming time. We all gathered up on stage (girls) and sat in a circle like we did Monday night and play the drum and sing songs in the order of the alphabet. Finally around 11pm we had dinner and after that the lights went out at midnight so before I knew it we were leaving. The bride got to come home again with her family for her last night there. The event for me was a fun experience. I really enjoyed the food, people watching, and enjoying the culture and dresses!
For the second event this was on Saturday. My dress was dark purple. The name of this event was called the bharaat and this evening was the night of the actual wedding they say. More people were invited, the men wore suits in difference from the first night and there was no dancing. This event was again hosted by the brides parents in the same venue as the previous night. The decoration was similar from the other night (gold) with now this deep Crimson red included. The decor was fascinating. This function was very special because it was the first night that the bride would not stay with her family so it was a little bit emotional for some actually. So around 830 the party started and the groom walked in with his family trailing behind like the previous night. Then pictures, then the brides entrance. More pictures, more pictures, and then food. That's it pretty much. There was music on in the background but no dj announcing anything. It just kind of flowed together. Towards the end of the evening there was a tradition that took place where the groom drinks a glass of milk and he had to bargain with the brides sisters on a price so that he is allowed to leave for the evening. The sisters usually hide the shoes of the groom too so that he cannot leave until they receive the bargained price. This went on for a few minutes and I'm not sure what the ending value was but the groom did get to leave that evening with his wife.
The third event called the walima took place on Sunday night. My dress for this event was a peach color and this event was hosted by the grooms parents. The event was in a new location where apparently a lot of weddings take place usually in Lahore. The venue was beautiful and the colors were peach, gold and white accents. We got there much later this time probably because her family wasn't hosting and shortly upon arrival around 830 the bride and groom walked in together. Immediately upon entry they went to the front and took loads of pictures again. No dj , very little music. Soon we were eating this time because the lights go off at 10pm at this venue. Unfortunately I wasn't feeling very well and got sick, but still the experience was great. The groom this time was dressed up in a traditional suit vs the gold suit and tall hat from the previous night. Again the bride and groom went home together and soon it was over.
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