Day 1 - Ladies Sangeet, Chunni Ceremony and Jaago.
Sunjay arrives at the Mirage banquet hall, where Sanjukta's family is waiting to mess his hair up:
Soon after that, his bride to be walks in, as well:
Gifts start to come from all directions and they won't stop for a week:
As always, I have the best seat in the house for the awesome show.
Jaago:
Day 2 - Aiburo Bhaat is a Bengali wedding tradition that may become my personal favourite. And here's why:
It's the ritual where the bride is fed one last meal as a bachelor. Her parents and relatives cook all the dishes she loves:
Day 3 - Mehndi party:
Shots make any tradition more fun:
But wait, there's more:
The groom shows up and he brings champagne:
That makes him popular instantly:
Champagne showers will guarantee the success of any party:
Day 4 - Haldi (a.k.a. Maiyan):
The Bengali way to do it is a little different:
First, the turmeric root is crushed and water is added to get the yellow paste:
Gaye Holud (yellowing the body) follows:
Her feet are washed by her mom:
At the end, Sanjukta has the break the four clay pots:
A concise choora ritual takes place right after that:
In the evening, Sunjay's family brings more Tottwo's (gifts) to the bride to be:
Day 5 - Wedding:
Starting in the morning, it looks like day 5 is going to be just as enjoyable:
It's a real shame to cover that masterpiece with a turban:
Everyone gathers in Old Strathcona for the baraat:
Gurjot and his dhol set the pace at all my wedding:
Sunjay's father is always with us:
Sanjukta's family welcomes the groom in front of the Arts Barns:
There's a lot of Uludhoni (ululation) going on:
In Punjabi tradition, milni is a quite boisterous affair:
The bridal party dances their way inside the Fringe Theatre in the old part of Edmonton:
The bride is carried in by her brothers, on a piri (wooden chair). This symbolizes the medieval ideas of considering a daughter as a burden for the family. Nowadays it just looks good in pictures:
Sunjay is more than happy to take the burden:
In every wedding there's a decisive moment filled with so much emotion. No, it's not when the couple says 'I do'. It's when one of the bride's maids takes everyone by surprise and manages to steal the groom's shoes:
The trophy pictures are well deserved:
And now, back to the Vedic Hindu wedding ceremony:
Sunjay: "From our name to our favourite everything, I never thought I would find someone who was a complete match to me. I never believed in soul mates but when you see someone, day after day, so similar to you and complementing the things that you lack, you really believe in the concept of a soul mate. I know today that I’ve found that with Sanjukta. #SanjSquared" After the ceremony, the Canicus pizza truck awaits outside:
There's a line and the pizza is delicious, so the newly weds have their first argument:
It looks like there are a few more issues, concerning a case of stolen shoes:
Things escalate quickly:
Elianna has no issues as long as she's fed on time:
Sanjukta: "Madonna has a song, 'Beautiful Stranger,' in which she sings, 'to know you is to love you.' This couldn't be truer of Sunjay - I met him only 4 years ago and very soon discovered how much everyone adored him. I, too, fell quickly under his spell... He is smart, hilarious and has a heart of pure gold. I am so lucky to have him in my life today and I can't wait to spend the rest of time as his wife." Doli time:
The bride says goodbye to her family:
But her family says 'not so fast':
Sunil buys the couple's way out:
Paani Varna is the welcoming ritual at Sunjay's home:
It's followed by a few games that are supposed to establish different relationship parameters of the new couple:
Like, who's going to handle the remote control in the house:
This is a new one and I have no idea what it means:
This is the doughnuts game and it has something to do with the number of kids the family will have:
It's quite intriguing and absolutely everyone wants to play it. Luckily, the platform supports multiple players, as well:
Day 6 - Reception:
Sunita is with us again:
The legend says that Sunjay has more hair products than Sunita, the makeup artist:
Before we go to the party, we start the ... party in the presidential suite of the Renaissance Airport hotel:
We also stop on our way for a little bit more party:
After emptying all the champagne bottles in the province, SanjSquared has enough confidence to kick off the reception bash:
The traditional skit about how
S² met: As entertaining as ever:
It's scientifically proven that champagne gives you a lot of strength, specially when your wife is not looking:
Congratulations one more time, S & S! Thank you so much for a week of new and old traditions and for making me a part of the family!
Here's to a hundred selfies! A day.
love.more.cosmin
Vendors 'n' Things:
Wedding Venue - Arts Barns in Old Strathcona
Reception Venue - Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel
Ladies Sangeet Venue - Mirage Banquet Hall
Makeup - Sunita Sumaru, Sen Studios
Mehndi - Kassidy, Henna Art
Decorator - Grand Designs
Flowers - Petals for Less
Cake - B & A Bakery
Wood Fired Pizza - Canicus Catering
Champagne & Selfies -
S²Music Reception - DJ Aftershock from Vancouver
Music Sangeet - DJ Palay
Videography - Pamela, PM Videography
Second Shooter - Onkar Hayer
Bengali Wedding Photographer - Hindu Marriage Photographer
You like? You want? Send me a message:
cosmindanilaphoto@gmail.com
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