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!

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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!
4. 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.