Embarking on the journey of marriage is a profound and joyous occasion, marked by a tapestry of traditions, colours and celebrations. In the heart of this cultural mosaic lies my Indian Hindu wedding, a cherished saga of love, devotion, and unity, enriched by a symphony of rituals and festivities. “I am from Chandigarh (Punjab) and Ronish is from Fiji with Indian heritage. We were both bought up here in New Zealand and have so many mutual friends from engineering school – it is so surprising our paths never crossed back then! We even realised later that we used to hop on the same bus to go to University for 4 years, without ever meeting. We eventually became acquainted and then best friends only after we started working in the industry as electrical engineers.” This couple was sure to incorporate both their cultures in their union, amalgamating aspects of Punjab, Fiji and New Zealand in their celebrations and rituals.
The festivities commenced with an enchanting engagement ceremony at the bride’s resplendent home, with beats and cheers of the Punjabi dhol. As guests entered the venue, they were greeted with an auspicious tilak led by the bride’s family before indulging in a selection of delicacies of custard tarts, indo-western snacks and mocktails. The engagement ceremony was then commemorated with the exchange of personalised groom’s gold band with diamond studs and the bride’s chosen solitaire diamond ring.
Thereafter in the following days, the mehendi & sangeet night and haldi celebrations unfolded, held amidst the enchanting venue of the bride’s parental farmhouse. The rhythmic melodies of Punjabi and Bollywood music filled the air, as guests danced, drank and sang in the moment, with surprise dance performances by the bride’s sister and friends. Central to the mehendi and sangeet night festivities was the mehendi itself, where the bride’s vision came to life through intricate designs adorned with profound symbolism. From the ethereal depiction of Radha Krishna, epitomizing eternal love, to the sacred Om symbol signifying cosmic unity and auspicious beginnings, each motif held significance, mirroring the bride’s heartfelt aspirations for the journey ahead. “It was crucial for me to incorporate elements of my home and what I’ve grown up knowing into my mehendi with other motifs such as the sacred conch shells, the wise, loyal (and my favourite) elephant animal, as well as Om signs that also hold value as is part of my late Grandfather’s name, they were all very close to my heart. Not to forget the scattered letters of the groom’s name – which he surprisingly did not take too long to find!”
The culmination of these pre-wedding rituals set the stage for the grandeur of the wedding ceremony, held at the picturesque Winsford Gardens in Ramarama, New Zealand. Nestled amidst the serene beauty of rural Auckland, the venue provided a breathtaking backdrop for the union, with whites and subtle, soft peaches and pinks. The bride wore a traditional maroon-red lehenga from Kalighata with gold and polki jewellry as well as the Punjabi choora shipped from Doha, Qatar. The groom wore a contrasting white and gold sherwani from New Zealand. In the exchange of varmalas, the striking colours of bright red roses and white fresh baby breaths stood out as not only was it an intricate creation but was handcrafted by the bride’s mother herself. “My gorgeous mummy loves flowers and has such a creative eye for everything. She decorated our whole house herself with so much elegance, she also handmade the wedding varmalas, which is a sentiment that I will always cherish and keep close to my heart for the rest of my life. Her attention to detail was exceptional, visioning everything from all my (and sister’s) looks, decorations, colour palettes to the catering options, and everything in between. She was definitely everyone’s go-to super-Mum.”
The festivities reached their crescendo at the reception, where the bride’s enchanting performance of the traditional Rajasthani dance, Ghoomar, captivated the hearts of all in attendance. With graceful movements and radiant elegance, she paid homage to her heritage, embodying the spirit of womanhood and devotion to her beloved husband. “My sister and I also danced to Bole Chudiyan from K3G, it’s our sisters song since we were teeny tiny tots. It acted as a tribute to our loving parents, whom we used to perform this to countless times. The other songs with my friends were also selectively chosen as K3G songs – we just had to make this our ‘Poo’ moment!”
As the night unfolded in a whirlwind of laughter, dance, and merriment, it was a testament to the enduring power of love and the timeless traditions that bind us together. As we embark on this new chapter of our lives, may the memories of our wedding journey continue to inspire and uplift us, guiding us through the trials and triumphs that lie ahead, united in love’s eternal embrace.
