The End

Bethany and Sage were married on Friday, August 5 at the Chowmahala Palace. 

  It was spectacular. 

There was turban tying for the men.
Beautiful silks were flown into Hyderabad for them to wear. 

 Sage, the groom, front and center. 

 The baraat, or processional,  began about an hour or so after the guests arrived. 

 Sage got inside the horse drawn carriage and members of his "baraati" danced in front of the carriage as the band played.  The baraati consists of members of his family and good friends. 

 The baraat lasted about 35 minutes or so. I was with Bethany for most of this time, but MP danced alongside the carriage and captured these pictures.

Once the processional arrived to the front of the Palace, the ceremony began. 

 Both sets of parents sat on the stage with the couple. 

After some prayers, and a greeting, Bethany made her way there too.

We held a canopy above her head as she walked in. 

 Bethany looked stunning. She's wearing her mother-in-law's saree, which was passed down to her. 

 They exchanged garlands. 

Sage washed Bethany's feet. 

The ceremony was quite beautiful. 

Afterwards, they took loads of photos with their guests. 

We enjoyed beverages,

 and then went under a beautiful tent for dinner. 

 The evening was winding down. 

Turbans were beginning to be long-gone.

 ...and then they were off. 

The night was pretty perfect!

After a crazy couple of days, we spent our last day in India lounging pool-side, and trying to relax. 

 We had a quick tea on the terrace before catching our flight. 

The most perfect way to end our trip. 

***

This wedding was such a treat to attend. It was so different from our Western weddings, yet at the end of the day, it was about two people, two families, coming together, loving each other, and supporting a marriage. We all have our own beliefs, traditions, and cultures. Letting go of prejudices, and embracing our differences, can sometimes result in a beautiful union. 

I was so honored to be a guest of this wedding. 

xx,

Lauren