Wedding Path NewsWire

Racheyroo's wedding 821 views

Saturday 13th October

We met Kathryn, Claire, Lindsay, Ritu, Keeran & Sian at Heathrow airport in a cafe. Everyone was very excited and we all had coffee and a good gossip while we waited for check-in to open so we could get rid of our suitcases.

We went for a meal and a cocktail at TGI Friday?s and then made our way to the departure lounge. Heathrow Airport being as large as it is, we were quite amazed to end up sitting behind Sonia & Herbie who were on their way to Delhi for a few days before they flew down to meet us in Goa.

We boarded the plane at about 9pm and after getting particularly excited with hot towels, foot hammocks and individual entertainment stations we settled down to watch movies.

Sunday 14th October

We landed in Mumbai at about 11am local time. And it was hot!!! Like stepping into a sauna. After the painfully slow procedure of re-checking our bags had to leg it across the airport and queue jump the security checks in order to catch the shuttle bus. Then we were on the internal flight to Goa which took about 45

minutes (just enough time to watch an episode of 'Frasier').

When we got to Dabolim Airport in Goa, we realised that Lindsay's suitcase had not made it. Arrrrrghh - so she reported it and filled in forms etc and the staff assured her that they would bring it from Mumbai on the next flight and send it to our hotel.

Sanj and Keeran took on the task of negotiating a taxi for us (while us obvious white-faced tourists stayed out of sight to avoid being ripped off!) and we managed to get a 7-seater to fit us all in. The suitcases were somewhat precariously strapped to the roof and we kept a close eye on the road behind us all the way as expected to see our luggage fall off!

The journey to Candolim was about an hour and quite an experience for those of us used to the safe and well-maintained roads of Britain.

We arrived at Casablanca Beach Resort and checked in. The hotel was lovely and our rooms were all close to each other overlooking the pool and bar area.

After settling into our rooms we went for a walk along Candolim Beach which was just at the end of the road. The MV River Princess, an Iron Ore tanker which became grounded in 2000, loomed into view.

We saw our first of many beautiful sunsets across the sea and headed back up the beach before it got too dark.

When we got back to the hotel and gathered in the pool-side restaurant.

We again realised just how slow things move in Goa, as about an hour and a half after ordering some dinner, it arrived when most of us were too tired to eat and we all went off to bed.

Monday 15th October

Most of us were still pretty shattered from the journey, and also not had a good nights sleep. You either have the choice to be nice and cool by leaving the air-con unit on, the down side of this being it sounds like sleeping next to a jet engine, or you have the air-con off and it is uncomfortably hot.

So the girls decided to spend the day at the hotel, there was nobody else there so we had it all to ourselves - the wonderful pool, sunloungers, bar staff on hand to bring us 7ups (theres something so special about drinking out of a glass bottle) and ice creams. Sanj & Keeran went for a walk to explore the surrounding area.

At 5 o’clock, Sanj and I caught a taxi to The Taj Holiday Village, the hotel where our Hindu wedding was to be held on Friday, as we had a meeting with the wedding planners. The Taj was breathtaking, in all its 5-star splendour. The wedding planners, Ankit & Pramit met us and we walked down to the gardens where the showed us the spot for our wedding. At this time is was still just a lawn overlooking the sea but they explained how they would set up the area for the ceremony and reception.

Then we discussed tomorrows beach wedding, planned to take place on Calamari Beach, a short distance up from Candolim. My heart sank when they said we have a problem with tomorrows location - the area which we planned to use has been washed away!

But then they told us that they have a much nicer location in South Goa, about an hours drive away. They had also arranged a coach to transport all the guests there & back and an air-conditioned car for the bride, so needless to say, panic over!

We got back to Casablanca and more of our guests had arrived -Sanjs Mum, Dad, Sister & Brother, some Aunties, Uncles & Cousins who had travelled down from the Punjab and the Ladwa Family -Vina, Raju, Danny & Poonam.

We all sat round a big table in the restaurant by the pool and had dinner. Sanj and I gave out invitations for the beach wedding and told everybody about the change of location and that we were all travelling down to South Goa by coach.

Lindsay’s suitcase also arrived! So she could now wear her own clothes at last.

Tuesday 16th October

After breakfast, Kathryn, Claire, Lindsay, Sanj & I all headed into Calangute, the town about 10 minutes drive away. We wandered around all the market stalls and pored over the bags, jewellery, local arts etc.

(Oh my God I just realised that top makes me look heavily pregnant!! It is all open at the back so must have slipped forwards...)

We got into the whole haggling culture pretty quickly. Funny how things drop to a quarter of the price simply by saying no, thanks and starting to walk away!

It was very hot and dusty so we stopped in a caf for a round of cold drinks.Again we were all like excited little kids just because the drinks come in glass bottles! And even better, they cost 15 rupees (about 19p). My hair had been attracting stares since we arrived in India and this was now progressing to people taking photos and a bus-load of schoolchildren shouting and waving as they went passed us. They shouted even louder when we waved back, we felt like celebrities. Wave

After a couple of purchases of handbags, bangles etc we decided to head back to the hotel and braved a rickshaw ride (basically a motorbike with a shell built round it so it has a back seat for 2-3 people).

WEDDING NUMBER ONE

Back at Casablanca, we didnt even have time to grab any lunch as the hairdresser/makeup artist was waiting for me. So I had a quick shower and sat down. It wasnt particularly relaxing as we were quite unprepared so there were lots of people coming and going, someone brought me some food so I could eat while having my hair done, and before I knew it the photographer was here too. So my getting ready photographs are less than glamorous me wearing just a towel while Danny (who was giving me away and therefore travelling in the bridal car with me) ironing my dress with a travel iron on the TV table!

I got into my dress a fishtail white raw silk skirt and corseted straplessbodice and Danny did up the fiddly little buttons at the back.

On my feet are my white flip flops which have just married cut out of the soles so they imprint the words in the sand, and on the toe bars I have stuck little diamante letters so they say I do.

So were ready to go we checked with reception who told me all the guests are on the coach round the corner so the coast is clear. Danny and I made our way to the car and were off. I was pretty nervous on the way there, and very conscious that the beautiful ringlets the hairdresser had put in my hair were very rapidly
going straight!

Our car arrived and I was told to wait in the car (which I didnt object to as the air-con was great!). Danny popped out to see what was happening and to give someone my handbag for safekeeping. Ankit the wedding planner came to greet me and asked me if I wanted my bookie. It wasnt until he said it several times and then called it a bridal bookie that I realised he was on about my bouquet! Pramit, the guy in charge of flowers and decoration brought me my flowers which were just lovely, although did contain Anthuriums which I think look rather phallic!

The priest then came to the car window to introduce himself one cool chap! Looked like a mix between Lando Calrisian and Lionel Richie and was very very nice. Siani came up to the window to check some details with me, such as did I want the bridesmaids to lead me or follow me. The previous night, I had asked Sanjs Mum and Vina - the two mums, to be my bridesmaids. Sian also told me that the setting looked beautiful and that they were all enjoying a welcome drink.

A few minutes later Danny came back to say that everyone is ready when I am, so I got out of the car and attempted to put my veil on, but as there was quite a breeze I decided to abandon that and leave it in the car.

We walked down onto the sand which was not like the sand on our beach in Candolim, but more like a Bounty advert! Soft as flour and really white, I could see now why people prefer the beaches of South Goa. There were a few steps where Vina and Sanjs Mum were waiting with their bouquets in hand, smaller versions of mine.

Thats when I saw the wedding set-up, and wow!

It looked incredible, there was a red carpet aisle leading from the steps, an archway and loads of flowers on pedestals lining the aisle. Chairs were set out either side which had matching chaircovers and were tied with ribbons to match the fabrics in the archway and the gazebo at the end where Sanj was waiting for
me. Two musicians in traditional dress played while we walked along the red carpet.

The ceremony was really really nice. The priest was great and the musicians played quietly throughout the service. We had asked some of our friends to do readings too, first the priest called up Kathryn & Claire who read between them Yes Ill marry you by Pam Ayres.

Then Poonam read How do I love thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. After this, Sanjs Mum read a poem called On your wedding day and to finish off, Sian read The art of a good marriage by Wilferd Arlan Peterson.

After this we were asked to stand and were handed our vows. We had chosen to write our own. I went first as I was worried how long I would be able to contain my emotions! I got about a third of the way through, then as my bottom lip started to tremble, there was a unified sob from the side of the guests with all the girls on! By the time Sanj had finished his vows there was not a dry eye in the house! Well, on the beach

It really was such a lovely experience and the most beautiful setting we could wish for

All our guests came up to offer congratulations and lots of hugs & kisses.

We all posed for photos after the ceremony then made our way up the red carpet aisle to the archway where our wedding cake had now appeared. The Priest did a speech about the origins of the wedding cake then we cut it and gave each other a little bit.

The guests then made their way up to the beach shack where we had tables setout for us, and Sanj and I went for a walk down to the sea.

The photographer and videographer followed us but I was in a little bubble and hardly noticed they were there! We had a paddle in the sea and received a few handshakes and congratulations from holidaymakers & locals who had been matching the wedding. We even convinced a man with a jet ski to let us pose for some photographs on it (although he did start off trying to charge us a few hundred rupees for the privilege!)

It was really nice having that time together and there was a glorious sunsetover the water so the beach looked stunning. A few friends made their way down the beach to join us and said how much they had enjoyed the wedding. Then we all headed back up to the beach shack for cocktails and dinner. I bet not many brides have shark for dinner on their wedding day

At about 9pm we all made our way back to the coach (the little track leading to the road where the coach was waiting was now pitch black so we all stumbled there by the light of a few mobile phones!) and drove back to the hotel.

I realised on the journey back that I was still holding my bouquet and had forgotten to throw it! So when we arrived back at Casablanca we got all the girls to wait in the drive and I stood on the reception steps. One, two, three?..and I threw it up ? it then hit the reception roof, exploded into a shower of foliage, and what was left of it landed right back in my hands!! Which was ironic as I was actually the next person due to get married?.

Take two - this time it went in the right direction and was caught by Sanjay’s Cousin Susan.

We made our way to the bar and were greeted by our friends Sonia & Herbie who had arrived that evening after their trip to Jammu.

What a fantastic day!!!