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THE PROPOSAL
Joe and Puja were in Chicago to attend the wedding of one of his
friends. He planned a special dinner at a West Town area
vegetarian restaurant and while Puja was talking, eased the ring
from his pocket, out of sight underneath the table. A smooth
segue into a proposal during the conversation thrilled Puja to
laughter and tears.
INDIAN SANGEET
Two days before their Hindu wedding ceremony, Puja and Joe's
fun-filled sangeet took place at Fantasy Farm in Toronto. The
high-energy cocktail party featured Indian and western finger
foods, lots of dancing and celebration, including choreographed
dances by the bridesmaids. It was the ideal setting for both
families to get acquainted before the wedding day.
Reflecting the brilliant colours of the décor for the sangeet,
Puja chose an Indian lengha in shades of peach, pink and
turquoise. Joe wore a traditional Indian sherwani.
HINDU WEDDING CEREMONY
At Copper Creek Golf Club in Kleinburg, the couple married
in a wedding ceremony performed by a pundit priest in
Hindi/Sanskrit.
For the first part of the ceremony Joe was not allowed to see
Puja. He heard her walking toward him, escorted by her brothers
and male cousins in keeping with tradition. She was then hidden
behind a large cloth held by two groomsmen.
During a traditional ceremony interspersed with gentle
humour, the pundit also spoke English and Italian, making the
rites very inclusive and enjoyable for everyone. During the
ceremony a traditional wind instrument from India, a shenai, was
accompanied by drum-like tabla, adding to the eastern ambiance.
In rites full of meaning and deep emotion, the couple took
their vows and walked around the sacred fire, pledging their
lives together. They also took seven sacred steps to symbolize
the seven virtues of married life.