We returned to the groom’s house around 6 P.M. to find the groom dressed in his wedding suit and head-dress. A professional videographer had been hired to film the night’s events which were already underway. Two chairs were scrambled together for Rakesh and I to sit on with a bird’s eye view of the action.

At this point the groom was beginning to receive his wedding gifts from friends, friends of the family and fellow villagers. A customary gift is a money garland, made of Indian Rupee notes. The garlands are pre-made and sold at any of the local shops near the village. Cost for a Rs 100 garland is Rs 130. The garland is made of real currency which will be removed from the garland after the wedding festivities. Each garland is placed around the groom’s neck. As more garlands are received, the necklace of money becomes comical in size and appearance. Of course, this only builds his status within the community. All gifts are carefully recorded on paper in addition to each person presenting a gift having a photo taken with the groom; partially as a keepsake for the person gifting, but more so for the family to keep a record so that they can repay the favor at future weddings. It would be in very bad taste not to gift the same amount to a fellow villager.

As the sun began to set, the videographer turned his camera light on whenever filming. This light beamed off the walls lighting up the impromptu stage where the groom stood noticeably uncomfortable.

Guests huddled to watch gifts being presented one by one

Gifts were exchanged for an hour when a hand held carriage was brought to the edge of the veranda. The wedding band struck up a tune and like clockwork, the guests all rose up and began to walk toward the village. The procession was led by the groom in the carriage, then the band followed by family, friends, and villagers. Winding through the narrow pathways of the village I could hear the laughter and shouting of the walkers. Firecrackers were exploding up ahead, kids were running through the fields. It was a fun time to be in the village.

The walk continued past the village to the road where all the parties met up and would now wait for rented buses to take them to the next destination. The light was fading fast but the band played on coaxing guests to dance. Right there in the middle of the street they danced. The firecrackers became fireworks with loud colorful explosions shooting in the sky above us. Once I pulled out my camera, my bystander status was ruined…the kids, young to young adult swarmed me asking for their photo to be taken. I agreed to one as I knew how obsessed they would quickly become if I did not set limits. One turned into several, but it was wedding time…I needed to adjust my thoughts to having fun.