The Wedding Day

By the day of the wedding celebration on December 27th, Beth and I had dressed in saris for two days in a row, but we still hadn't figured out how to put one on ourselves!  We decided to “splurge” and went to the parlor for professional help.  It was great fun!

 

The parlor is quite the practice here in Dhaka.  We both decided to let them apply their “normal” professional make-up, even if it would be considered “over the top” for us.  I had my eyebrows threaded, which I had never experienced before.  Then, they applied facial foundation thick and even.  It didn’t cover all my wrinkles, but it did smooth out the deepest ones.  Both of us got false eyelashes, gold glitter eye shadow, and bright lipstick. 

We then were dressed in our saris.  I got to wear a beautiful rose colored one this time. Beth’s was a gorgeous rust and gold.  The women helping us knew just how to pleat, drape, and tuck the material into our petticoat waists, before firmly pinning all in place.  (I am told they use safety pins only on Westerners.)  What do you think of the final result?   We were ready.

This day was the formal wedding event.  It was held at a third venue, again bedecked beautifully.  The large hall was draped with white sheer material at the doors and from the ceilings, and filled  with linen-covered round tables.  Vases filled with lights and red roses sat atop each.  

 

The greeters at the door

Shaz arrived with us.  Today, she is dressed in a red sari – and wears a lot of gold.  In addition to gold around her wrists, she wears traditional gold jewelry that attaches to her nose called a noth. 

Nahar had asked Elizabeth and I come early to greet the other guests as they arrive.  Soon, other friends of hers join us, and we present quite the gauntlet of women greeters. 

The beautiful bride

Rajib pays to get in.

Rajib and his family arrives later, but he is blocked at the door by Shaz’ friends and family.  He must pay to enter!  (The young cousins really like this part, because they get to keep any money that he hands over.)  Apparently he pays enough, because he gets to enter.  

He and Shaz are then seated on a stage in gold chairs.  And, they once again take pictures, pictures, pictures with nearly everyone in attendance.  Traditionally, the bride and groom are to stay quite serious on the wedding pictures.  The bride is to be especially demure.  But, Shaz and Rajib don’t stop smiling.   Hours of photographs later, they are still smiling. 

Women and girls of all ages
look beautiful in their saris

I'm smiling, too.  I love looking around at all the beautiful women in their saris:

Finally, Shaz and Rajib conduct a few rituals signifying their new life that I don’t quite understand.  I watch them place a floral wreath over each other’s head, and also look into a mirror together.  I don’t know what they saw in their mirror, but Shaz looks happier about it than Rajib!

Around 11:00 p., people start filing out.  The most touching part of the day comes when Irina, Nahar, and Salehuddin have to say good-bye to Shaz.  This time, she’s going home with Rajib’s family.  Irina starts to cry.  And, Salehuddin (a fairly controlled and dignified man) tears up when he gives Shaz that final hug.  Off into the night they go, starting their new journey as husband and wife.