Vancouver 2015 Wedding - Ceremony

At long last, the day of the ceremony arrived! There is something magical about waking up in the AM of a wedding, putting on your Sunday best in anticipation of the celebration for the couple to be. As the hours ticked by in the AM we quickly dashed out and went to Akali Singh Sikh Society for the wedding ceremony.

Having never attended a Sikh wedding before I knew I would be in for a culture shock. The venue was located on Skeena Street close to Burnaby. The gorgeous temple housed a large hall which was used as the reception area on the ground floor. The wedding services and ceremony itself was housed in the upstairs.

As we were asked not to publish any photographs of the lovely couple (as of yet), I will keep this strictly related to the food. Take my word for it though, the lovely couple were stunning. My friend, the bride, was in a wondrous red and gold sari that radiated warmth, passion and beauty. The groom was in a incredible light ivory sherwani that exuded class and brilliance.

The morning started with a few Indian snacks including muffins and biscuits.

Also included in the morning were a number of Indian flatbreads. I tried the Paratha, a lightly pan-fried flatbread originating from South India. The lightly crisp dough contrasted the soft interior and was an excellent starter of the day.

A number of appetizers were made available as well: Vegetable Pakora and Vegetable Samosas were the highlight of this tray. I was impressed by the depth of flavour and the chef's ability to keep the deep fried appetizers light and crisp.

After the ceremony we had lunch catered to us. From top left going clockwise we had: Kheer (rice pudding), Paneer Tikka Masala, Dhal Makhani (Indian lentils), Mixed Grilled Vegetables, Rice with Salad, Masala Spaghetti. The star of the meal was the Mixed Grilled Vegetables which featured cauliflower, eggplant and potatoes in a rich sauce loaded with Indian spices. I had to go back and get seconds!

Being able to witness the marriage of a close friend and loved one is a special occasion. I was inspired and so blessed to be able to partake in her wedding and wish her and her lovely husband all the best in the future!