brother of the bride part two

So yesterday was a big day for us here at the Akhtar Khan compound. I mean household.

My sister got married. Well officially. It was a true amalgamation of both our British-ness and Asian-ness.

The morning kicked off with the usual commotion that ensues when our family has anything to sort out. It was going to be a mad dash to the Register Office.
But as we all ran around in a scene not too dissimilar to the opening scenes of Home Alone. (1 & 2 - I've not seen 3).

The ladies of the house were at the beauticians preparing for the day ahead as time ticked along I got a crash course in dressing a toddler in a party dress. FYI you should not be able to see her vest underneath the dress.

I did not know this.

We made it to the Register office in time waiting for the Groom and his family to arrive.

The service went smoothly apart from when my niece dropped my phone during the all important "Does anyone have any objection bit"?

A soap staple.

This was followed by an inordinate amount of pictures outside the register office and town hall with our very own photographer to boot.



I've never felt so Asian.

After the ceremony there were several hours between the registration and the Islamic ceremony. Otherwise known as the nikah.

"A formal, binding contract is considered integral to a religiously valid Islamic marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom and bride. The marriage must be declared publicly. Divorce is permitted."

Thanks Wikipedia.

so as the evening arrived the same amount nerves began to pile up but rather than just the few guests that came to the ceremony in the morning, many more people were about to descend onto our house.

The groom's side. The bride's side. And the Imams.

So when the guys with the beards arrived we knew it was show time. Especially because my nephew was serenading them with JLS' "Do you feel what I feel?" upon their arrival.



The ceremony varies from the British one. Aside from the fact that everyone is called Mohammed yet the Imam still asked us how to spell it. (Between me and you I think he's in the wrong job.) There's also a greater family involvement and the whole thing was a lot more emotional. And dare I piss off the Daily Mail but more symbolic.
There's an eerie silence as the groom declares his loyalty to the woman he is about to marry all the while the bride is in another room. I think it's that silence that leads you to ponder the gravity of it all.

Or in my case whether it's acceptable to live tweet during a nikah.

I've never felt so British.

FYI it isn't acceptable.

So it wasn't just my 5 year old nephew who got the giggles.

My sister's part was more emotionally charged. An Asian daughter's journey into marriage is incredibly symbolic. So there were a few tears shed.



A Bollywood staple.

#Mashallah the ceremony went well. And after the groom's side depleted and my extended family outstayed their welcome, we reflected on the day in good spirits. Now we have the reception or actual shaadi to look forward to in June.

The learning curve continues. I'll keep you posted.

theguyinthebowtie