have been to many Indian weddings in the UK and whilst they have their own charm (my sister-in-law arrived at her ceremony in Windsor on a Indian-style scooter) nothing quite compares to the magic of an Indian wedding in India, as we discovered during our visit last month.  Each of the six ceremonies we attended during the five-day affair was unique, but two things remained a constant – rows of jasmine and marigolds filled the air with a spell bounding scent and everyone from giggling children to great-grandparents were welcomed and this made for a loving, relaxed atmosphere even at the most lavish of events.

my sister-in-law

posing with my husband at the henna cermony

my daughter and niece have their hands decorated by henna artists

a free morning is spent strolling to the local shops, where my son is delighted to be greeted by a cow.

my son sharing in deep conversation with his new friend.

In the final part of the wedding ceremony, the bride throws rice behind her to signify leaving her parents home and beginning a new life as a wife.