Remember the wedding I started talking about way back in January? Well I’ve finally managed to catch up with my life after all the activities and celebrations that went into making Priyanka and Ryan’s wedding one that I enjoyed to the hilt….. and here’s the gup on that 
Besides the evening we spent making the confetti pouches and liturgy booklets, we met about half a dozen times (in various people’s houses!) to practice along with a bunch of the Kurla choir regulars for the wedding mass. Virgil accompanied us on the keyboard and Wilbur put his guitar playing skills to good use The choir sounded pretty good to my ears, but were hoping to practice in the church to check the sound system. What happened because we didn’t get the permission is a story that you will read later in this post.
So what exactly were all these nearly week long functions that made up the wedding?
It started with the Bridal Shower the bridesmaid’s threw for Pri. We were having a lovely time when the boys decided to crash the party and give us their very own version of the Strip Tease!
The “Serenade” came next The girls – led by Pri went over to Ryan’s place the night before the roce, stood outside his house with lit candles and added the fillers to Pri’s renderation of “You say it best when you say nothing at all” It was a very sweet gesture and I know that Ryan was touched to the core. Later that night we sat down and chalked out all that had to be done in the next 3 days.
This was followed by the Roce – a blessing ceremony where the bride / groom along with their bridesmaids and groomsmen are anointed with coconut milk and oil. These symbolize purity, fertility and God’s gift of creation. Each relative and friend anoints the forehead of the to be married couple with the coconut milk and oil and a sign of the cross. The roce however always involves a lot of mischief that may range from tomatoes being thrown to eggs being smashed on their heads! Pri, Malvika and Chetna got eggs and ice cold water apart from the ritulistic components! 
The day of the wedding came along and so I set off to start one of my tasks for the day – picking up white roses for the flower girls baskets. Got these and rushed home as I still had a whole lot to do.
I managed to be at Pri’s house for the blessing inspite of the terrible traffic I got stuck in on the way. She looked lovely as she stepped out out her room in her off white bridal gown and long veil. Here are a couple snapshots from the afternoon.
Headed to church as we had to do a sound check before mass. Unfortunately, the sacristan decided that he owned the place and refused to make any adjustments. As a result we sang with 2 microphones, had to use a microphone to amlify the guitar (as the amp was not working) and had no feedback monitor. But I think we did a good job all in all
Virgil and I headed to Ajay’s Grandma’s place to change into my little black dress and pick Ajay up. Reached the reception venue in good time. Thankfully my folks reached in time too and so did the newly weds and their entourage. Danced a bit in the evening and was exhausted by the end of it. The food was good and Pri’s Dad ensured that the waiters did the rounds properly and didn’t miss anyone.
It was a lovely wedding and I was so glad to have been part of it through all the preparation.
Congratulations Ryand and Priyanka. May God bless you always.
BUT it doesn’t end there …….. there was still the Portapon! This custom is held on the day after the wedding where the bride is brought back home and henceforth will be welcomed as a guest. We said a few short prayers and then danced the evening away. Lets just say I enjoyed myself to the hilt
