On Saturday, August 21, 2010 around 200 guests gathered at Rose Hill Manor to celebrate a Hindu ceremony and wedding reception.When guests arrived to Rose Hill Manor they were greeted for the Baraat with two archway decorations out front of the manor house decorated with red and gold linen in which the groom arrived on horse while music played and guests danced, clapped and cheered. The Baraat is where marriage celebrations commence with the arrival of the groom with his family and friends in a procession. The bride's aunt will welcome the groom and give her blessings. The groom and Baraat then proceed to the mandap. While walking into the manor house guests were up above on the balcony dropping rose petals to the groom and family below.
The Hindu ceremony started immediately after the Baraat in the grand ballroom. Guests were welcomed into a beautiful room which featured a red aisle with gold chivari chairs on each side of the room. Rose petals lined the aisle. At the back of the room was a large stage with a mandap decorated in red and gold colors with pillars that had uplights and two large red and gold chairs for the bride and groom. Around the room was decoration of red fabrics with gold accent statues. Large red and white floral arrangements accented the stage. Large light up pillars also lined the aisle.
The ceremony began with the worship of Lord Ganesh, who is the remover of all obstacles and a symbol of peach, friendship and happiness. The bride then takes part in Kanya Aagman which is where she is escorted to the mandap by her female cousins. A curtain is held in front of the groom to keep the bride hidden from his view, signifying that the bride and groom are seperate individuals. The groom's family and friends then sings their own compositions of mangalashtaka which are Sanskrit verses invoking the gods which are giving good advice to the couple. Jai Mala is when the bride and groom exchange garlands which signifies the union of two souls into one entity. Kanya Daan is where the parents of the bride give her away. They was the bride and groom's feet with milk and water which purifies them for their new life together. Akshata Ropanam is when the bride and groom express their expectations and aspirations for one another. The bride's father then takes the couples hands and the family showers the couple with rose petals and grains of rice. Prayers are then offered with the sacred fire where the bride and groom make their pledge to each other. They then exchange wedding rings. After this exchange, married women family members whisper blessings to the bride. All other family and friends wish the couple blessings to the couple. It was a beautiful union of two souls.
After the ceremony, there was a short break in the program where guests left the manor house. The room was transformed into a totally different color scheme. When guests were welcomed back to the manor they gathered into the entry hallway and to the outdoor patio where they enjoyed hor d'oeurves and drinks. A guest table, elephant statue and bar were decorating the hall. Guests who were outside were able to mingle and sit by the pool. A buffet station and bar were set outside. A big hit was the Sweet Mango Lassie drink which is mangos, yogurt, sugar and ice.
After cocktail hour guests were seated into the grand ballroom which was decorated with a large dance floor and a beautiful backdrop of pink, purple and teal linens and columns with uplights. The bride and groom sat at a sweetheart table and to the side was their cake. Some guest tables were in the grand ballroom where the remainder were in the small ballroom. Tables were decorated in white underlays with a mixture of teal, pink and purple overlays. Centerpieces were tall, gold branch arrangements with a mixture of pink and orange roses on the branches, hanging crystals and hanging votive candles. Colorful uplights surrounded the room which changed colors throughout the night. Different color fabrics were hanging from the walls above along with tall vases filled with water and pink flowers.
The beginning of the reception guests were asked to watch the program where they had an 'MC' for the night who told stories of the bride and groom and several other family members, including the parents of the bride and groom, said some kind words. A family friend performed a dance and the aunt and uncle did a champagne toast. Chairs were set on the upper balcony so guests could watch the festivities. A slide show was played during the evening on a large screen which featured photos of the bride and groom.
A vegetarian buffet from Akbar Catering was served in the entry hall. After dinner guests spent the rest of the evening dancing and enjoying music by Live Sound DJ's. Everyone was dancing and had a great time. The room was beautifully decorated by Liz Flowers. Everyone enjoyed themselves. We wish the bride and groom a long and happy life together.
