However, sometimes it is not meant to be. For those who have been unlucky it is important to remember the saying “The worse the wedding, the better the marriage”. We round-up some of the horror stories.
Tearing up
Pakistani brides are expected to be demure and shed a few tears during the nikah and rukhsati but sometimes the light sprinkling of tears can turn into a never-ending storm. This is exactly what happened at a wedding where the bride began to cry on stage and could not stop her tears. Soon she began to sob, and eventually weep while her husband looked on in horror. By the time she calmed down it was time for the rukhsati so the waterworks began all over again, this time with her mother joining in.
Wedding couture
The bridal outfit is easily one of the most important things during a wedding and often a bride has known for years what she will wear, how she will look and the compliments she will receive. However things can go wrong and one unfortunate bride’s outfit did not show in time for her wedding and she had to find a replacement. Another bride’s clothes did show up but she almost wished they hadn’t as her in-laws gave her a white-and-gold sari to wear which was embroidered in a pineapple motif. And no, it wasn’t a Hawaiian theme wedding.
Water woes
Man is fascinated with water but cannot command this liquid mass which has ruined multiple weddings. We have all heard of functions being rained out but one unlucky couple had all three events destroyed by rain. The mehndi food had been served when out of nowhere a storm showered the tents, food and guests with rain, leaving everyone to run helter-skelter in their attempt to find shelter. The shaadi event lasted a grand total of 30 minutes as the canopies were weighed down by water and if they broke they would shower the guests, bring down the wiring and cause an electric current to flow through. The valima did take place but with only half the guest list as a continuous drizzle was felt in Karachi and there are no pictures or videos of any of the events.
I dreamt I was falling
Everyone has had dreams where you’ve felt like you were falling and suddenly woken with a jolt with your heart racing. Falling is every bride’s worst nightmare and one must tread carefully in four-inch heels and long, flowing clothes. Sadly, sometimes dreams become reality and brides have tripped or fallen flat during the ceremony. However, some stories are scarier. One bride was making her entrance to Karachi’s Beach Luxury hotel on a boat and a ramp had been set up for her to walk on. It is still not known exactly what happened - whether she lost her balance, was scared of water or jumped to avoid her fiance - but that girl ended up in the water in her bridal finery.
One enthusiastic family suffered because of the huge numbers of well-wishers on stage, who despite repeated warnings did not get off the delicate structure which could not take the weight and eventually gave way.
Another family had built a stage over their pool and the bride and groom looked beautiful sitting in such a serene setting. Unfortunately the stage collapsed and sent the couple floundering into the water.
Published in the Express Tribune, June 21st, 2010.
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