Attending a Bengali wedding in Kolkata - a lifetime opportunity!

In a meeting with our supervisor: 

"Sir, we have been invited to an Indian wedding with Auntie's family in Kolkata and we would very much like to have your permission to take off time to go.

- Do you know where is Kolkata?!

- Yes sir, we looked up flight details and it is a 2-hour journey.

- Ok, you can go."

So, here we are, ready-made saris in hand, in the warm and relaxing Kolkata - well it's all relative - let's say relaxing compared to Delhi. It almost felt like coming home, as we were greeted by Auntie at the airport and whisked away in her family car to meet all the relatives.

We arrived in time to have our hands decorated with mehndi, a process which took nearly 3-4 hours to complete, but the results were worth the wait. Being the Westerners we were, we required a little help with our ready-made saris- thank god for safety pins!

On the drive to the ceremony, we were immediately enchanted by the winding roads, architecture, and markets of the city. The celebration was held in a 3-story building, each of which with their particular significance. 

On the first floor, the wedding was made legal by signing the papers...

Only on the second floor was the marriage made official with ceremonies and rituals abound. Each received their blessings from the Gods, surrounded by their respective families, after which the bride was brought to the groom, carried by her family members.  She was to circle her future husband several times, shielding her face with leaves, so that once removed, the first person she would see would be her husband.

The bride and groom collectively adding kindling and butter to a fire - which we were told was the most powerful witness to a marriage, greater than any relative or priest.

The most official gesture of the ceremony occurs when the husband, who is then followed by all the women in his family, places red powder along her hairline.