My son William and his wife Aabha got married five years ago in the middle of Covid. So, they did not have a wedding. They decided to have that wedding this year in honor of their fifth wedding anniversary.
Official photos and videos will be coming. But, in the meantime, I am posting some taken by me, family, and friends.
The wedding took place at the Avanilaya Resort in Goa, India. The location was lovely!
Henna (Mehendi) for Family
The first day, close family and a few friends gathered for dinner. The ladies all got henna. Aabha had both hands and feet. The rest of us just had our hands done.
Sangeet and Mehendi
Saturday night was Sangeet and Mehendi for everyone else. Excellent fusion food, cocktails, dancing, and music. I am told Sangeet means music in Hindi, and this was a joyful evening!
Here is a great photo of Aabha, her parents, her brother, William, Will, Sarah Lynne, and me.
My sister Deborah, my cousin Holly, and I joined Aabha in doing a Bollywood Dance. Definitely not a future for us, but we showed a lot of goodwill!
Since we are Jewish, we also had everyone dancing the Hora.
Haldi
Haldi means turmeric. They make a paste of turmeric and put it on the feet, hands, and face of the bride and groom. It is supposed to represent purity and prosperity. People wear yellow, which is associated with new beginnings. After everyone put turmeric on William and Aabha, they put it on the faces of the parents. And then there was a free-for-all with everyone throwing marigold petals.
Wedding Hindu Ceremony
I don’t have that many photos of the ceremony because I was sitting by the bride and groom. It was lovely — took a little over an hour.
After the Hindu Ceremony, we had a Jewish Ceremony where my cousin David officiated. A friend recorded all of it, but I will display only one part.
Reception in Mumbai
Several days after the wedding, Aabha’s parents held a reception in Mumbai for family, friends, and colleagues. Basically, William and Aabha stood on stage while groups came up and congratulated them.A delicious dinner was served as well.
Quaker Certificate
William’s father’s family are a type of Protestant Christian called Quaker. In the Quaker tradition, the couple says their vows in front of family and friends and those who attend sign a wedding certificate as witnesses to those vows. William’s grandfather Poole has given William and Aabha a beautifully calligraphed Quaker Wedding certificate as a wedding present.
Poolinger Family Site 