What to expect at a gaye holud (part of Bengali wedding celebrations)
Nora’s holud was held 2 weeks before the wedding ceremony (which was last night; watch this space!). It was my first sneak peak into the elaborate celebrations of the Bengali culture. I have put together this quick list of 4 things you could expect to experience at a holud so perhaps you could be better prepared than I was!
- It starts late. I think this is an “Asian” thing because from memory, Chinese and Vietnamese weddings have always started several hours later than the specified time. I haven’t been to many weddings, but this is what I’ve noticed so far. This holud commenced 3 hours late. Therefore, don’t rock up with an empty stomach.
- There’s colour and lots of it. Don’t be shy to join in the fun and wear a saree or at least dress in bright colours to fit in. You could pretty much get away with wearing any colour of the rainbow and expect to see lots of splashes of gold jewellery.
- Break your diet for the amazing buffet dinner and dessert. I can’t express how much food there was or how amazingly delicious it all was! Do it!
- Don’t be shocked the bride doesn’t eat while you are. Towards the end of the holud, guests queue up to apply tumeric paste to her face which is meant to soften her skin. Guests also feed her after this. There were canape picks of fruits, vegetables and meatballs.
The gorgeous bride with stunning hand art
Gifts and food carried in my groom’s family
Me with girlfriends wearing saree
Spreading out gifts
The bride with friends
Crowd seated
Jodie & I in saris
Starter of pan pooris (gol grappas) served with spicy chickpea curry
Gol grappas in the making
Peacock made from fruit and vegetables
Giant deconstructed garden salad
Eggplant curry
Crepes filled with coconut
Lots of food in the kitchen
Canape picks with watermelon, pineapple and meatballs, to be fed to the bride
Sweets!
Curry puff looking sweets
Buffet dinner table with chicken curry
My dinner plate with pilaf, raita, roast chicken, adana kebab, curries, roast tomatoes, garden salad and more
People seated in hall
Sweets buffet table
Our plate of assorted sweets
Putting tumeric on the bride
Me in a saree with the bride
Check out the rest of my photos from the holud here.
Jennifer Lam (Jenius)
