Ren & Ram - Punjabi Wedding Rituals in San Jose, California

 I guess it's the amazing California weather that makes people wanna party longer, because my last 2014 wedding stretches more than a week and kicks off with the ladies' sangeet at the Garden Hotel, in San Jose:

 You can't see me, but I'm even more excited than Ren:

 Everyone shares my feelings:

 The bhangra virus comes in with the jaago:

 The whole room is infected immediately:

 Next morning brings the bride's family with lots of gifts to the groom's place:

 The kurmai ceremony starts with a prayer:

 Continues with the sagan:

 And ends with the Sunday game watched on a phone:

 We have a winner:

 Ren's maiya ritual can't begin before the rangoli is set up:

 Today we have an eatable one, made of flour and coloured rice :

 It's a tight and cozy place:

 And the sensations are as pleasant as ever:

 Ren's mom is trying to feed her sweet rice and the other girls try to stop her:

 They are doing a good job; the rice goes everywhere except into Ren's mouth:

 At the end, mom takes a few leaps over the rangoli. It's good exercise, but that can't be the reason. I really have to look into this and find out why is it done:

 More exercise, it seems:

 With a final stretch she leaves her vatna hand prints on the outer house wall:

 The next event consists of Ram's family bringing lots of gifts to the future bride:

 Ram himself is here, as well, to supervise all the work being done:

 Every detail is taken care of.

 The night of the mehndi is pretty magical:

 Every day takes us closer to the wedding, but there's still some serious partying to undertake:

 Ram's sangeet takes place at Mayuri restaurant in Santa Clara:

 All ages are welcome:

 Canada leads the jaago:

 Caution: slippery when covered with banknotes:

 Choora is the last ritual before the big day:

 The bride's maternal uncles are in charge now:

 The kalires are separated by any means necessary:

 So they can be tied to Ren's wrists:

 The bride-to-be is ready for the next day's main event:

And so is the San Jose Sikh Temple:

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