Min's Wedding

We all know I love a good wedding to attend! What is even greater is an Indian wedding where there are a weeks worth of parties to attend where I get to wear saris, eat delicious food multiples times, and dance. My friend Min (who is part of book club!) got married to Jag on February 8. Her wedding was beautiful and colorful. She looked insanely happy. Of course, lots of photos were taken! Sadly, I didn't get too many with Min, but I think she was a little on the busy side being the bride and all...

Eliza, Amanda, me, Min, and Lisa at the mayain party. This was a few days before the wedding ceremony. I tried googling to find details on what the traditional purpose of this ceremony is, but sadly could not find much info! I believe it is the brides side getting her ready to be given to her groom.

We went to a mendhi party as well before the wedding. This was a few days before the wedding as well, on a separate day than the mayain party. This was at Min's house. Brides wear it all over their feet and hands quite elaborately, while we just had small designs on the tops of each hand.

I think this might be my favorite sari I own. I love the color and gold on it - and it has matching bangles!

Everyone has to go up and rub tumeric on the brides hands and feet. This is supposed to help her look more beautiful for her upcoming marriage.

Amanda in her new orange sari (We found a bargain table at Vicky's Cloth House in Surrey!!! We both bought two saris, and each were in the $15 - $25 range. This is quite inexpensive for a sari. You still need to get the blouse made, which is about $30, or you just wear a tank top that matches like me! Most saris that are 'fancier' than what we bought are in the $300 - $400 range.

Mmmmm dinner. Shahi panneer and daal. Accompanied with rice and naan.

The wedding ceremony! This was at a Sikh temple on Saturday, February 8. Brides typically wear red. This is the official part of the marriage where the groom leads the bride around in a circle several times. I believe this symbolizes something; I am just not sure what! I should have done more research before blogging. Whoops!

The wedding ceremony attire - suits for Amanda, myself, and Keri. I love these three colors together!! The scarf like part of the outfit is necessary because in the temple where the couple was married, you have to cover your head. Men tie bandana-like pieces of material on their head, where women cover with scarves.

Edwin and I post-ceremony. It is interesting to note that men and women do not sit on the same side of the temple during the wedding ceremony! We had a group of us there so Edwin was not left alone on the mens side. (PS - doesn't he look cute in a suit jacket?!)

The reception! I wore a LOT of jewellry. I felt pretty fancy. This was one of my two new saris!

A funny photo shoot outtake!

The stunning bride Min and her groom Jag! Jag gave a really, really sweet speech about how much he loves Min. I love hearing things like that at weddings. It made me tear up a little!

The girls at the reception! (Eliza, Amanda, me, Lisa, and Keri)

I stole this one from Facebook! This is Jag and Min on their wedding day. This is them sitting in the temple just after their wedding ceremony.

Congratulations Min and Jag! Thanks for such a fun wedding week! The only sad part is that Min is now moving to Vancouver Island to live with her husband. At least it's only a ferry ride away!

Happy belated Valentines day! Edwin & I took an extra day off on February 14th to have a long weekend last weekend. It's amazing how one extra day off on the weekend makes you feel so much more relaxed!

We had an exciting day on Friday - Edwin became a permanent resident of Canada! We went to the states to go grocery shopping to make it official. We bought some super awesome items at Trader Joes. (you HAVE to try the pub cheese!)

On Friday night, we went to the revolving restaurant downtown. I have never been and it was beautiful and romantic! He is so good to me.

Coming soon: photos of Min's super-fun wedding!

PS - does anyone else miss Cadet Spier yet??!! I do!!! xoxo

hello thursday

Thank goodness tomorrow is Thursday! This week has been a little on the slow side. I'm not even sure why! I am very, very ready for a long weekend. Even though this long weekend gets finished off with my bestest buddy leaving town for a bit. Let's not talk about it! My bedroom, on the other hand, has become RCMP cadet packing headquarters:

 Edwin and I went to a cool restaurant on Friday night on Hastings called El Pulgarcito. It is a Mexican and Salvadorian restaurant. We found it while attempting to find Guatemalan restaurants anywhere within driving distance. Did you know there are NONE?! Even in Seattle. I really enjoy going to new restaurants, trying new food, and supporting small businesses like this one. It's really quite a hole in the wall, but anywhere that serves plantains are good in my books!

He had pupusas

I had shrimp enchiladas

And we shared yummy plantains!

Get ready for wedding festivities this weekend!! Min's wedding is coming up very, very quickly. Tonight was the mendhi party so we all got our hands done. I love all these cultural aspects of Indian weddings.

Last Saturday, my family all came over to Edwin's for dinner and bowling. His building has a bowling alley you can book, which is kinda the coolest thing ever. Plus, bowling makes for some super duper cool action shots. And just regular shots. I love my family!

(apparently there are hand signals for strike and spare?!)

Happy two-days-left-until-the-weekend day!!!!