The past two days my entire life has been consumed with one thing: New Super Mario Bros. Wii. I haven’t touched any video games recently mostly due to my overwhelming schedule, but this one was just too much fun. So about an hour ago I received a call from Maria + Dieter while I was playing the game with Katrina. It turns out they also shared my addiction to the game, along with sushi, and Disneyland. In fact, the day after their wedding they made a trip over to the “happiest place on earth,” but it turned out to be one of the rainiest and wet days I had ever seen in California. Despite that, they said the trip was still tons of fun.

This crazy in love couple’s relationship started online. After three years of dating, they agreed that they were the ones that they wanted to share their lives with and decided to elope. Since they were already officially married, Maria + Dieter held this ceremony and reception mostly for family. Although from watching their longing faces during the ceremony and the way they held each other on the dance floor, I would have never guessed that the couple was married beforehand.

Now if you don’t mind Maria, I might have to come over with Katrina and play some four-way Mario with you guys.

Katrina’s photo below

The definition of a Sangeet, taken from the Neetu + Neil’s website is stated as follows, “The Sangeet is a hugely popular wedding event and could even last for multiple days! This ceremony, which customarily took place at the bride’s home with relatives and friends playing the ‘dholki’ and singing ‘suhaag’, which are traditional folk songs about marriage. Songs include ‘jokes’ about the in-laws and husband to-be, ‘tips’ on a successful marriage and some sad songs about the bride leaving her parents home. In modern India, men and women partake in the Sangeet with both sides of the wedding party increasingly coming together to celebrate. Hindu weddings are designed to be the union of two families, not just two individuals, and the Sangeet ceremony is the ‘ice-breaker’ between the bride and groom’s sides.”

Had I not read the description beforehand, I would have thought I left the Ritz Carlton and entered a huge dance party at a Bazaar. The family set up colorful booths filled with fabric, jewelry, goblets, vases, and tons of food all for the taking. Layla and her Lotus Dancers preformed and the band pumped out great music throughout the night. As much as I enjoy myself at all these events, it was one of the few moments where I really wish I could have dropped my camera and danced the night away.