The big day is here, with Alka and Hitesh at the center of it all. Hitesh arrived on a horse-drawn carriage and is being brought forward by his in-laws Anju and Suru.

Meanwhile, the ladies, who are all friends and family, pose with the bride one more time before she’s brought out into the ceremony.

Alka arrived the old-fashioned way, in a palanquin.

And thus started a process steeped in tradition, ceremony, prayers, and offerings.

While Caroline loves the opportunity to don formal wear, I have a nearly allergic reaction to needing to wear a dress shirt, tie, and proper slacks, but we wouldn’t have missed this possible once-in-a-lifetime chance to attend a Hindu wedding.

Everything about this wedding is ornate and beautiful.

The attendees have all ensured they arrive at each event over the many days of the wedding in a dress that hasn’t been used recently, and in many cases, they’ve bought at least one new dress for the most important dates.

After nearly a year of preparation and an exhausting sprint to the actual ceremony, the day is a long one before Alka and Hitesh are done with their role in the day’s events. The couple must pose with nearly every conceivable combination of guests and family, many of whom have traveled from the other side of Earth to be here for them. Tomorrow is the reception, and we are told it will be a small affair compared to similar functions in India that can draw upwards of a thousand people who are all friends and family.