Indian Wedding 101: Colorful & Exciting Indian Wedding Part 4

In Indian weddings, the bridegroom’s headgear, known as the pagdi or safa, is a symbol of honor and respect. It is a key element of the groom’s attire, reflecting the cultural heritage of the region. The pagdi is often associated with royalty and nobility, and wearing it signifies the groom’s central role in the ceremony. Different regions in India have their own unique styles of pagdi, each with its own cultural significance and history. Image source: Viresh Studio/Pexels

Read these first:

• Indian Wedding 101: Colorful & Exciting Indian Wedding Part 1
• Indian Wedding 101: Colorful & Exciting Indian Wedding Part 2
• Indian Wedding 101: Colorful & Exciting Indian Wedding Part 3
• Indian Weddings 101: Celebrating a Milestone: My Brother’s Engagement Ceremony Part 1
• Indian Wedding 101: Celebrating a Milestone: My Brother’s Engagement Ceremony Part 2

Preamble

Indian weddings held at 4 a.m. are becoming increasingly common, so it came as no surprise when my younger brother chose to have his wedding at 4:30 a.m. We’ve received similar invitations in the past, but this was the first early morning wedding in our family, sparking curiosity and excitement among us all. There was even speculation about whether the ceremony would have its unique flair.

The guest list for the wedding swelled to nearly 500. Although not everyone managed to rise early enough to attend the ceremony, a significant number made it to the temple, albeit not simultaneously. The wedding was set for a Saturday morning, which meant that the preceding Friday night was abuzz with activity, right up until it was time for a brief rest before the festivities.

On Friday, we engaged in the customary last-minute shopping spree in Klang—a tradition in every celebration—and we cleverly returned home before the onset of the intense ‘buka puasa’ traffic. Meanwhile, my cousins and siblings were diligently adorning the house in preparation for the next day’s celebration.

As the appointed driver for the bride and groom, I ensured I was well-rested—under the guise of needing an early night’s sleep—anticipating the busy day ahead. The excitement was palpable, and the anticipation of celebrating such a momentous occasion with loved ones filled the air with joy and festivity. Indeed, the day promised to be filled with laughter, love, and a lifetime of memories in the making.

Morning Run

The day commenced at the early hour of 2:30 am when I awoke and began preparations to collect the bride from her residence at 3:30 am. As someone who typically enjoys more sleep than others, I had anticipated that the household would be abuzz with wedding preparations; however, this was not the case.

A sense of foreboding washed over me as I observed the darkened rooms and silent living area. It dawned on me that I was the sole person awake, while the rest of the household, including the bridegroom who was deeply asleep and snoring from exhaustion, were all still in slumber – a rather unsettling realization.

Once the household was roused and fully alert, albeit with less than an hour to prepare, a palpable sense of panic filled the air. My younger sister and I then set off to the bride’s home to escort her. Fortunately, the bride was already prepared and waiting for us upon our arrival at approximately 3:45 am. Shortly after, we embarked on our journey to the temple, the wedding ceremony scheduled to commence at 4:30 am. We harbored hopes that our family would arrive at the temple in due time.

Upon reaching the temple, we were likely the fourth vehicle to arrive. A Kancil was parked directly in front of the temple, much to my chagrin as I have an aversion to Kancils. A quick phone call prompted the Kancil’s driver to emerge, albeit begrudgingly, and reposition his vehicle, allowing the wedding car to take its place – a mischievous triumph on my part. Aside from the priest and the immediate families of the bride and groom, the temple was nearly vacant, which was ideal for the occasion.

Wedding Starts

The anticipation was short-lived as, precisely at 4:30 a.m., the guests began to arrive in a steady stream, filling the venue to near capacity by the time the ceremony commenced. The early morning nuptials were a delight, characterized by a refreshing coolness—save for the areas illuminated by the videographer’s intense lights—a serene quietude, and a complete absence of traffic, which facilitated the timely arrival of guests from distant locales.

An official photographer and videographer were commissioned for the event, affording me the liberty to roam in search of unique photographic opportunities. The alternative would have been to join the assembly of elders, seated before the priest in the temple’s warmer quarters, witnessing the sacred union of the couple. Indeed, the initial plan had designated me, as the bridegroom’s elder brother, to don the traditional vesti and jippa and partake in the three-hour-long ceremony, with little opportunity for movement.

However, armed with a camera and a collection of excuses, coupled with feigned obliviousness, I found my escape. Eschewing the original plan, I opted for my preferred attire of jeans paired with a jippa, striking a balance between comfort and formality. This choice granted me the freedom to navigate the space with ease, even allowing for leisurely conversations with my cousins outside the sanctity of the temple.

Journey Back

By 7:30 a.m., the festivities were winding down, leaving just enough time to savor a breakfast of fresh vegetarian nasi lemak, roti canai, and thosai, all served piping hot on the temple grounds—a highlight of the ceremony for many. As the designated driver for the newlyweds, my departure was delayed; the couple was not yet ready to leave, as there were still numerous camera shots to be taken. Family members continued to queue for photographs, engaging in conversations with guests and attending to various formalities.

An additional trip to the photo studio was necessary for a final round of photographs before I could retreat to the comfort of my home for some well-deserved rest, having been on active duty for a straight 17 hours. Fortunately, the following day was Sunday, providing a day of reprieve. The wedding had concluded with resounding success, and the newlyweds were spending time in the bride’s hometown, a considerable distance from Kuala Lumpur. It was indeed a time for everyone to relax and recharge.

To my brother, I extend a warm welcome to the fold…