It’s been exactly one month since our wedding! CRAZY! When I mentioned this to Vishnu over the weekend, he looked at me and shook his head in amazement. We just can’t believe its been 30 days since our big day!
We spent this weekend with Vishnu’s brother Niel. It was a jam packed few days – “The Dark Knight Rises” (amazing movie), a soccer game (Chelsea vs. AC Milan), South Beach Miami, two fro yo stops, and lots of delicious food. So much fun!
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The third wedding event was the garba. Garba is a traditional dance that originated in Gujarat (the Indian state that my family is from). The dance is performed in a huge circle around pictures/statutes of different Indian gods.
After the vidhi, Roshni and I left to get my hair done. As I said months ago, I had a very specific vision for what I wanted, and I think it came true…for the most part. The stylist used hair extensions, and until we got to the hotel, I was totally ok with them. But once the curls started to relax, the whole thing looked awkward…
I kept telling my friends that I wanted to cut the extensions off. So with a lot of hesitation, Sweeti and Roshni did what I wanted and cut them off. Looking back, the whole situation was hilarious…and a little scary!
The only other hiccup that occurred was that the event started later then scheduled. The elevators were running super slow (and one was totally out of commission), and some of our guests had to wait upwards of 20 minutes to get down to the ballroom. It was kind of irritating, but I got over it pretty quickly.
All in all, we had such a blast at the garba. Everything was perfect – the décor, the food, the music, etc. People were dancing until the very end!
We also held a mini program halfway through. Vishnu’s cousin gave a beautiful speech, our friend Jetan gave a hilarious and slightly embarrassing speech about the early days of mine and Vishnu’s relationship, family members performed a couple of choreographed dances, and my sister and I did a surprise Bollywood dance. Vishnu had no clue that I was going to perform!
Monica and Purvi were the MCs for this program, and they were super funny. They put together a rap to introduce themselves, told funny stories about me and Vishnu, and showed everyone a “Parita survival bag” that included a Jillian Michaels DVD, a fly swatter (because I hate bugs), and a few other things are very me! So much fun!
The garba ended around 11:30 pm. Vishnu and I headed to our individual rooms for the last time in our lives! I took a quick shower and headed straight to bed. My alarm was set for 5:45 am…
Up next…the WEDDING! 
You really looking gorgeous in the photos, P! What Bollywood song did you dance to? I definitely think your next post needs to include a clip of it 😉
Thank you, K! We danced to 4 different songs…so much fun! And I’ll do my best to find a clip of the dance. 🙂
so pretty! and so brave about your hair. 🙂
please tell me there is video of the surprise bollywood dance. 🙂
Thank you! And yes, all I could think about was what I would do if my really hair got chopped. I lucked out!
And I’m going to try to find a clip of the dance. I’ll keep you posted! 🙂
You look gorgeous! I’m so interested in the traditional ceremonies of other cultures – is the garba kind of like the “reception”? When we had our wedding, we broke it up on the dance floor for HOURS and people got in trouble for dancing on tables… whoops.
Thank you so much! The garba is like a traditional pre-wedding reception. We had a reception after the wedding, but the music and atmosphere were both very different (almost club like). 🙂
And hey, it’s not a party until people dance on tables!
LOVE the photos – I like the idea of garba – I’m assuming it’s the same as the sangeet type function? Oh yes – please put the clip up of the Bollywood dance!
It’s like a sangeet but more dancing than singing. And I wish I had a clip of the dance…maaaaybe once the video comes back I’ll be able to find something!
I just came across your blog from Laura’s! (Sprint to the Table). Congrats on your recent nuptials! I got married last year and it’s hard to believe it’s already coming up on one year, so weird! I love your blog and hope to come back and read more! 🙂
Hi there and welcome! Thanks for stopping by! I know our one year will creep up on us and be here before we know it! Crazy! Congrats on your almost anniversary!!! 🙂
I came across your blog from Laura’s (Sprint to the Table). Congrats on your recent nuptials! I got married last year and it’s hard to believe we’re coming up one year already. Enjoy this time! I love your blog, too! Hope to come back and read more!
I think your hair looked really pretty but I am so glad you made it just the way you want!
Can’t wait for the wedding recap 🙂
Thanks, Shanna! I’m glad I did what felt right too. Those extensions had to go!
You are looking really pretty Parita. Hair looks good too. I am waiting for the wedding recap 🙂
Thank you so much! The wedding recap is coming soon…I promise!
Your hair extension experience reminds me of a similar one I had at my cousins wedding. i french braided the top part of my hair and used hair extensions which started looking hideous after an hour. Seeing my restlessness over the stupid hair extensions my brother came and without any warning, plucked the entire thing off my hair. I couldn’t even be mad at him, he really had done me a favor.
I’m sorry about the minor flux, but glad everything turned out so fun! Love garba and the whole festivities 🙂
very nice. i recently went to my first garba – for my friend’s wedding, and it was so fun. i learned how to dance around the circle. you looked beautiful.