orange

Ok, so I am a fan of the arranged marriage. I would never have one, but I am a fan. Done under the right circumstances (sans money, power, and overall petty gain) I think that arranged marriages are actually the most successful because they are not done because you love the person you are going to marry infinitely and evermore, but because you love and trust your parents to do the right thing by you. The only problem is, most arranged marriages (especially in India) are done for the money, power and petty gain.

I just returned from a wedding, an Indian wedding actually. Not arranged marriage, but I will get to that. Beautiful colors and wine were the themes I think. I was officially a make-shift bridesmaid, called out only because I was planning on not attending in the first place. I did my part however..painted palms with black henna paste, hung flowers from the gazebo, etc.

The wedding was under the gazebo (called a mantup in Hindi). The bride dressed in orange, the groom in classic gold. The 45 min ceremony consisted of all the norms of Hindu wedding. Eating sweet yogurt (yogurt and honey) to show how "sweet" you will be to your new wife/husband, stepping on a stone which acts as a metaphor for climbing a mountain for the one you love, and while tied together, throwing herbs and puffed rice into a fire while walking around it.

The ceremony was definitely centered around the fact that love is about giving unconditionally. That when you give with the expectation of something in return, you do not deserve to have your significant other return that love you. Beautiful. The funny thing is, is that the Hindu ceremony is technically designed for arranged marriage. An arranged marriage where you do not know the other person before your parents decide to get you "hitched".

This couple that were getting married had known each other for 1 and a half years so they don't count as arranged, although their parents introduced them. All of their vows were true about their unconditional love and respect for each other because they were given the opportunity to know each other. However, I know Sheila (the bride), because she loves her parents (infact she stated, "I will be happy knowing my parents are happy, thats just the way things work in our family."), she will work hard to make this marriage last, regardless of the amount of time she and Will have spent together.