Reena & Paul - The Jaago Marathon

Last week's wedding festivities started on Wednesday with the Chunni ceremony:

Now please spend a click of your mouse on the Jaago Song and let it play! I know the music video is really nice, but come back to the pictures! Literally - in Punjabi - 'jaago' mean 'wake up!'
Traditionally in Punjab, when there's a marriage in the family, girls dance through the village streets singing and carrying a pot decorated with lightened candles. In Canada everybody does it:

I didn't find any info on the decorated stick, but it seems very useful. This is actually the snake charmer dance, gracefully performed by Reena's grandpa and grandma:
On Thursday we start with Reena's Mehndi party:
Shireen is specialized on henna figurines:
Reena's mom wants something different:
And so does Kimi - Reena's sister. She calls this old school and new school:
Storm clouds are gathering over Paul's house and everyone is looking for shelter:
Luckly, there's a 3 car garage so we set up camp in there for the maiya ritual:
The little girls don't realize the power they have right now:
But Paul's brother does and he goes for the kill:
Then everyone smells blood and attacks viciously:
And just when Paul thought it was all over, he is the victim of another fun game:
I couldn't find out what it's called and why it's done, but it goes something like this: his mom is trying to feed Paul sweet rice and unidentified (by me) women from the family are trying to stop her:
I think you can call that a mouth full:
Using impeccable technique, mom scores again:
Then of course - jaago:
After all he's been through, Paul still feels like dancing:
Friday I'm back at Reena's for the Nanki Shak. The maternal part of the family comes with me:
They bring gifts by the suitcases:
All the way from Bombay:
Wedding bangles and cash:
They also have a custom made wedding card for the couple:
I feel like taking a gift dive:
We take a short break for refreshments. In case you were wondering why the guys find all these ceremonies pleasant:
His first beer ... opening:
Reena's maiya was short and she didn't feel a thing:
Even the feeding game was an innocent one:
A whole bunch of uncles help with the choora ritual:
Almost done:
For the third day in a row - jaago:
This time we're going in the village streets, like we're supposed to:
It doesn't end before dark:

If you like this, you have to come back for the wedding day! Really, you have to!.. Please?!

love.more.cosmin