A big destination wedding - Sri Lanka

You know when you are in Uni and you have those awesome holidays with a huge group of friends and just chill, then life happens – you get older, get a job, a house and somehow there is never one time when all of you can take leave and meet. Well when you’re older the thing that gets friends together are weddings, to be precise destination weddings :)

I just got back from an amazing one in Sri Lanka with about 20 or so friends and it just reminded me that we all need to take time out and make an effort to go away on holidays with friends cause honestly it sure is a completely different experience and you get back revived and spending that much needed quality time with all.

the Beach Hut - our humble abode for 2 weeks 

I have no clue where to begin writing about Sri Lanka and the time I had there cause I really didn't get to see much of the country but what I saw, I loved. I guess the reason we were all there is as good as any place to start - The Wedding. It was held on the beach at the international surf location of Arugam Bay, a good 8 hour drive from Colombo and wow, the driving. Now I'm from India so I know what crazy driving is like but even I was surprised at the driving. There were moments when I was thinking this is it, but thankfully we all made it in one piece to our lovely accommodation right on the beach – the Beach Hut.

and the surf was up

Ah the beach, after an almost 24 hour journey for all of us coming from Europe and Australia, being there with our lovely friends on the beautiful beach, you knew it was completely worth it. Getting into the Zen state of mind of sun, sand and surf as I call it wasn't hard at all with all the beauty around. Our routine was perfect as well, the surfers would be up at 6 and off for their first sprint, the non-surfers (only a handful of us lazy buggers) would make our way later and then we’d just all head for a hearty breakfast.

Oh the food, sure almost every one of us felt sick at some point but we were all back on the curry pretty much immediately after. Even now if I could just get some roti and sambal I’ll be happy. Moving on from brekkie it was a dip in the water once again, chilling on a hammock with a book, getting a massage and soon was lunch, more food, and back to water, chilling, reading, surfing, massage and yoga. Ah the yoga classes were epic, complete with the stereotypical couple high on life (and other stuff) stretching – ‘feel the wave sistar’.

In between all this chilling the D Day arrived and we were completely excited for it. Now what I haven’t mentioned is we were on the beach in the true Aussie way, though the wedding itself was a traditional Hindu wedding, which was a pleasant surprise for me. I get there and am told we are all wearing sarees and I'm thrilled. Never thought I would see my Aussie friends dressed in traditional Indian attire. The wedding preps cover everything from a pre-wedding dinner with everyone, carrying onto a heena/mehndi session. This was great to watch with the girls starting off by loving it and then realising it will last for 2-3 weeks and freaking out a bit and then losing patience with the wait for it to dry in the heat. A quick dip in the ocean was followed by us gathering to get ready, all the girls in one area and the guys in another.

the beautiful bride

The ladies that helped us with the sarees and got the beautiful beautiful bride ready were brilliant. She looked stunning with every detail taken care of and all of the others wearing their sarees, doing their hair and make-up. Even the unexpected rain was pleasant as it cooled down the temperature and gave us girls time to prepare an impromptu dance performance in proper Indian style weddings :) I was so ecstatic that everyone was so keen and enthusiastic about learning the steps and we had it all ready.

The ceremony itself was spectacular (I really need more adjectives). Seeing your friends get married is an amazing feeling, there’s so much emotion because you have known them for years and you know they are perfect for each other.  We stood in line to take photos with the gorgeous couple, bride glowing in red and our handsome groom looking like Prince of Persia. We were sidelined by the over-excited locals though who were all too keen to get photos with a couple they didn't know, another part of their big wedding culture where the whole community gathers.

This was followed by our small performance and then it was time to change into our dresses and have a reception with food laid out on the beach. Obviously no wedding is complete without some dancing. We had a local band, some classical dance performances and to top it all our very own musicians singing and playing the guitar. What a memorable night - a beautiful wedding for a gorgeous couple at a stunning location with all their lovely friends. I just want to be back there.

beautiful sunset on our drive back