Aishy and Amit

Aishy and Amit were married this weekend in a traditional Hindu wedding.  Aishwarya is one of my co-residents, Alex and my good friend and the kindest person you could ever meet.  Amit is a fellow UNC graduate who we have adopted into our residency family.  We were invited to help the happy couple celebrate at their Sangeet, Amit's baraat, the wedding ceremony and the reception.  Alex and I had to miss the reception because of work, but we had a blast at the other activities.  

  

We started off the celebration with the Sangeet on Saturday night.  The Sangeet is a celebration to "relish in the happiness and joy surrounding the couple".  It used to last ten days and only involve female relatives and friends of the couple, but now it has been combined into one super fun night for all family and friends.  There was beautiful choreographed dancing, awesome food and henna.  We had a great time!
   

 Matt, Sean and Alex

   
Chancy and Kate

   
The ballroom was beautiful!

   

   
Our table

   
Aishy's sister danced for what seemed like forever.  I don't know how she had time to learn all of those steps!

 
The proud sister

 
Mother's dance

 
Father's dance

 

Aishy's dance

 
Amit's dance

 

   

 Together dance

   

   

   

   

     
Our Henna!

         

 Amit rode in on a horse during his baraat on Sunday.  The baraat is the grooms procession to the wedding where elders from both families then meet and greet the groom.

       

 We followed the groom throughout the grounds of the hotel while his family and friends danced to the music.

    

Quite the entourage! 

    

     

    

The ceremony set up was beautiful!

    

Amit and his family

    

    

Bridesmaids

    

Here comes the bride!

    

    

     

     

Aishy and her parents

    

Bride and Groom

    

 We loved all of the decorations.

     

    

We blessed the newlyweds by sprinkling rice on their heads.

    

 And they will live happily ever after!