Friday night, the rehearsal dinner was held at Hale’s Ales in Ballard where we were treated to yummy pizza. The plan had been to barbeque at Golden Gardens Park, but the Seattle weather didn’t cooperate, forcing a last minute move inside.
Saturday, we spent some time helping Brian and Melissa get ready for their house move on Sunday before going to the first of the wedding ceremonies on Saturday evening. The wedding was held at the Seattle Asian Art museum. It was a lovely venue for a wedding and the galleries were open for guests to explore throughout the evening.
Here are Leah and Som in the traditional American wedding ceremony:
At the end of the ceremony, a mariachi band popped up in the back playing the recessional music. It was a delightful and festive surprise.
Here are Leah and Som in the greeting line. Leah’s dress was quite elegant.
During cocktail hour, Sarah had the opportunity to catch up with some college friends she hadn’t seen in some time. Here are Sarah, Audra, and Leah:
Here’s the entire Wellesley contingent (Erin, Audra, Katherine, Leah, Sarah, Ali, Kim, Bonnie, and Debbie):
The groom’s cake was another fun touch to the wedding. Made by Mike’s Amazing Cakes, it was an amazing replica of a rainbow trout, chosen because Som has a trout tattooed above one ear.
The evening proceeded with lots of dancing and revelry to alternating 80s music and Bollywood music.
Sunday, the festivities continued at the Bellingham cruise terminal with an Indian ceremony. Before the ceremony started, the Indian aunts helped dress a number of Leah’s friends in saris that were brought back from India. The fun and chaos of trying to get everyone dressed was a highlight for many of us.
Leah looked like royalty in all her adornments, including a number of gold jewelry pieces handed down from the family.
The ceremony was a compressed version of a traditional Indian wedding, the “greatest hits,” so to speak, of what would normally be a three-day ceremony.
Here’s Leah being escorted in by a couple of female cousins:
Leah and Som, after exchanging garlands, prepare to take seven steps in a circle. Each step symbolizes a different wish for their marriage.
Here are Leah and Som with the family sitting around as the ceremony proceeds:
The ceremony also included blowing of the conch shell, Som dabbing ochre on the part in Leah’s hair, and recitations in Sanskrit.
After the ceremony, Leah, Som, and their families greeted guests:
Before the Indian buffet, there was plenty of time for more photos.
The families gather for a photo:
Leah and friends in saris:
The Wellesley crowd again:
Sarah and Audra:
Sarah and Leah:
More beautiful shots of Leah:
After all that celebrating, Leah and Som sign the papers to make it official:
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