Ms Mala's Wedding

It was very exciting getting an invitation to my first Indonesian wedding, I didn't know what to expect and was looking forward to finding out!! The invitation was completely different to home, it was had a hard back red cover with gold writing on the outside and inside was the details in English and Bahasa with a picture of the bride and groom in the background.

I was unsure of what to wear, but finally chose a maxi dress that I had brought with me and put a little strappy top on underneath so it was not as revealing and a little cardigan over my shoulders, I was ready to go and experience something new!!

As we arrived at the church, just before 11am, it looked like an office block and we enter through the underground car park and took the lift to the floor of the church, as we arrived Ms Mala and (now) husband were stood by the lift greeting guest as they arrived (1st difference), we took our seats in the small room, that could have been a conference hall, if it wasn't for the full body emersion font in the corner.Ms Mala and her husband walked down the aisle together (2nd difference) after his parents and her brother and sister in law (as both her parents are deceased).I didn't really understand from here onwards to what was really going on as it was all in Bahasa and only being here 1 month at that point I didn't know anything (not that I really know anything now, but I am slowly getting there).I just sat and observed, taking pictures when appropriate, there were many things that were different to weddings I had been to at home, e.g. the bride and groom both thanked their parents/sibling at the ceremony (this bit got rather emotional), there was lighting of candles and the giving of money by the guests.The kiss part was also very different, the couple had to get themselves in to position and after 3 kiss on the cheeks (no kissing on the lips here) and then this was repeated, it was very sweet, but also a little strange!!After the ceremony was complete it was time for pictures, family and guests went up in groups to have their pictures taken with the couple, this bit was normal, but one thing I noticed was no one really smiles, even though it is a happy occasion, very strange!!

We left the wedding venue for the reception, which was a short Becak ride away, it was held in a Chinese restaurant, as we entered we were greeted by the families and asked to sign in (kinda like a guest book, but without the message) and went to choose our table (no specific seats like at home), we sat and drank tea (no alcohol, definitely did not like this part of the wedding, hehe!) chatting between ourselves as more guest arrived that had not been at the wedding but were coming to the reception for the food (one Iforgot to mention is that you do not have to RSVP, so they have no idea how many people are coming, so have to cater for everyone!!).Then the married couple arrived and walked down the restaurant red carpet accompanied by 2 dancers and their bridesmaids, they were taken on to the stage and introduced, while the food started arriving, there definitely didn't seem to be any order to the food and it came in dribs and drabs, as we were eating the couple cut the cake with a sword and had their first proper kiss (but missed both of these as we were eating).The couple did not look as though they had much time to eat, as they were taken up on to the stage to have photos taken with the guest arriving and leaving and that is where they seemed to stay.

We left the wedding about 3pm, which again felt very strange as at home I'd still be dancing away into the early hours with a drink or two, so to be leaving this early just didn't feel right.But this is the new experience for you, nothing is ever normal and I am learning that very quickly!!

Until next time!

Lots of love

xxxx