Once we were up and functioning, we made a call to Pakistan. It was our Grandfather's 87th birthday today! It's always lovely to speak to Baba Jan (Grand Dad) and we had a few laughs. What a good start to the day. We're looking forward to seeing him at Meher's wedding- literally counting the days!! ;)
After that, Ammi and I got ready as fast as we could and arrived at the Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) where the wedding ceremony would take place and found Nina in a waiting room, looking perfect :) She looked a tad nervous (understandably) but apart from that there seemed to be a cloud of happiness around her. Nina's dress suited her perfectly; she looked like a doll- as if she'd stepped right out of a movie. (Yes, I'm using all the clichés but it was true...)
Nina informed us that there were some nibbles to be had before the ceremony- in the hall next to the "Horse Statue" and that we should invest some time in visiting the food hall. She also asked me to bring her back a cup of tea. And so Ammi and I made our way to what we thought was the food hall. I didn't see the afore-mentioned "Horse Statue" and I didn't recognise any of the people in the hall.
"Maybe they're from the Groom's side- we don't know many of them", replied Ammi when I voiced my concern.
We ate and drank what was available, all the while getting looks from the other guests. Before we left I remembered to take a cup of tea for Nina. I took it upstairs for her and we took our places in the ceremony area, ready for it all to begin.
I had never been to a Sikh wedding before and didn't know what to expect or what was expected of me as a guest. Luckily, we were given this hand out explaining everything.
The Bride (Nina) and Groom (Inder) looked really happy and absolutely perfect for each other. I wish them a lifetime of love and happiness.
After the ceremony, the guests were asked to make their way to the food hall for lunch. This time we followed the other guests - they walked right by the hall we went to in the morning, out of the Gurdwara, through the gate and turned left. And there, lo and behold- stood a life sized horse statue outside another hall. It was at this very moment that Ammi and I both looked at each other and realised what we had done. No wonder we didn't recognise any of the guests. No wonder we had been getting odd looks through out. In the morning, we gate-crashed a random person's wedding. And ate their food. And drank their tea. AND took a cup of tea for the bride we were there for…
We laughed heartily- surprised that we got away with it - and entered the correct food hall. This time we recognised the guests. *Phew!* The food looked delicious and before we knew it, our plates were laden down with it all. Nothing could draw us all away from our plates- except the newly-weds. All eyes turned towards the door as Mr and Mrs Kang entered the hall. Perfection :)
Everyone greeted and congratulated them and then they left to get their photographs taken. And we left after they did and went back to the Travelodge to get ready for the reception.
Carl, Meher's fiancé came to meet us there - he was joining us for Nina's reception. He looked dapper in a suit- albeit a tad stressed- he has a few deadlines next week. As I said before, we were staying near Terminal 5. The reception was in Reading and so it took us a while to get there. We reached the hotel at around 9pm and made our way into the Reception Hall.
As we entered, Mr and Mrs Kang were just getting ready to cut their cake. And then they had their first dance. It was lovely. They both looked so happy. I only just managed to hold back tears- the night had just begun and i didn't want my make-up running down my face :P
After that we joined the other guests, finding a table and were fed and watered with the most delicious food. You can't beat wedding food! I can't believe how much we ate today. It's back to a strict diet tomorrow! Throughout the night, the dance floor was open, the music pumping, the guests gathering more and more to dance as the night went on. By the end of the night we found ourselves snaking around the entire Reception Hall in a surprisingly Punjabi Conga Line.
The entire wedding had been an amazing experience; we said our goodbyes to the happy couple and steeled ourselves for the long(ish) journey home. Meher drove us back and transferred some more of our luggage into her car so we won't have to take it with us tomorrow.
Saturday 26th April 2014
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