Eddy and Saara's Wedding

Beautiful Day

The wedding day was absolutely beautiful - clear blue skies and warm (by Toronto standards), it was 15 degrees C. Eddy came and met us at the apartment we were staying in early and we went off to his apartment to wait for the number of friends who were going to car-pool from there to the wedding place. He had a friends coming from the UK and others from all over Canada and the States.

Eddy and Mum

Saara comes from a Muslim family and so the wedding was going to be a traditional affair. Eddy's wedding suit was beautifully made with lots of 'bling bits' (his words!). The rest of us were in more traditional suits and western formal attire.

The ladies on Saara's family's side however were much more colourful and of the three boys weddings this was by far the most vivid! At the end of the ceremony there was a photo opportunity for all the ladies (and Eddy!).

All the ladies

As this was the first traditional ceremony that many of the people on Eddy's side of the hall had been to a run down of the ceremony and what happened in each section was provided for us. We were provided with starters and snacks and some delicious lassis (yoghurt drinks).

Mum and Eddy waiting for the
ceremony to begin

During the ceremony the groom was not allowed to leave his seat on the stage. During the first part of the event, many of the guests went up to greet and meet him. Traditionally the bride is not present herself during the ceremony but she is kept outside until the wedding is over. However, the bride and groom had requested that they both be present during it and this was granted.

Saara and her parents

The bridal party and the witnesses

Saara came in accompanied by her father and mother and preceded by the bridesmaids who were scattering rose petals for them to walk on.
The Imman who was to perform the marriage then proceeded to talk us through the ceremony as he did things.
Myself and Khalid both being the eldest sons were witnesses of the event and stood behind the bride and groom as they said their consent for the marriage.

Amazing food

After the ceremony there was lunch - it was an amazing spread of Indian food - lots of curries, rice, naans and vegetables - it was a shame that Emma couldn't make it to the wedding as she loves this food too. (I did have an extra helping on her behalf!)

Eddy minus his shoes!

During lunch the tradition of hiding the grooms shoes was performed by the nephews and nieces of the bride - poor Eddy had to pay to get his own shoes back!

After lunch was the time for a few speeches, songs, poetry and the cake ceremony. It seems that Eddy and Saara play a lot of scrabble so the cake was made appropriately.

The scrabble wedding cake

It was made by the shop just below the apartment where Eddy lives and they had made a great job. Tasted good too!

The happy couple leave

Finally the happy couple left amid much applause and cheering. They are not on honeymoon for a while, but are planning to tour Europe in the summer.