Sunir/Shannon Wedding- 1 (Marriage Ceremony)

Our son Sunir got married to Shannon on Saturday 11 October 2008.

The wedding took place in Toronto where both Sunir & Shannon live. Also Shannon’s parents live in Toronto too.

We live up north (some 6 hrs drive away from Toronto) in Deep River – a town situated   half way between Ottawa and North Bay.

The wedding went smoothly and it was just “divine”.

General:

Many people here ask me – How was the wedding? My automatic answer always is – it was divine !!
   

     

The newly-wed couple’s (Shannon  and Sunir) glow & happiness was very evident and transparent – which made  parental hearts fluttered.
     

To top it all, it was  very heartwarming  to see  Shannon’s grandparents  ecstatically  just  proud and happy – that means a lot.
     

From excellent weather (as if custom  made)   to Ganesh Prayers at Ram Mandir  (Thursday 9 October – morning) to Mehndi   (Thursday 9 October -evening)   to   rehearsal (Friday 10 October -late evening) to the perfect wedding  day pictures but most important to   the magical perfect wedding ceremony  at the famous Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club (Saturday   11October) & then to have welcome footprints of our new daughter  to   one of the best reception & dances and of course  to all the celebratory meals at  Shannon’s parents home.
To top it all , to celebrate the day and as an expression of thanks Shannon/Sunir also sponsored the  scholarship of 1 Kenyan Girl for a year (thru UNESCO) . Further during the reception part of the evening, as part of a  fun game (when groom’s shoe is snatched by the bride’s side -by bridemaids- and can only be retrived for a sum of money given by the groom or his  bestman) further sums were offered by the guests for UNESCO   and help in retrieving the groom’s shoe. The shoe was retrieved   – with a substantial collection for UNESCO.
   

It was just soooo divine & joyful that we did not feel tired at all.
     

Our sincere thanks are to Shannon’s parents for thorough  support, preparation  and joyful celebration – which made everything working like a “well oiled” but easy/fun organisation – which  made possible for everyone to savour  the wedding for years to come.
     

We also had the pleasure of spending a week with Nina/Sunjay but really  with Sitara (1 year & two months old) and see her just bloom as properly etiquetted “prima donna” and party girl.  
She was like her name (a star) and many people from both sides just would enjoy her and would spend good time with her. She exhibited her pride (in many different baby ways) to be present at  this important wedding.  Of course her only uncle (“mama”) was getting married to an aunty  (“mami”) who had been in her life since she was born & bonded with. She enthused her joy  just to be with them both at many occasions.
     

The announcement (re: Sunir/Shannon wedding)   has been published in the local Deep River  based newspaper – North Renfrew Times (NRT) of   Wednesday 22 October, 2008.

MARRIAGE CEREMONY

The marriage ceremony was crafted by Shannon & Sunir together ( and helped/ supported by both sets of parents   – as resource for background and details of the traditions) – keeping in mind two cultures and religious tradiitons for the wedding ceremony.

Further the internet and also their own grooming when growing up (in matters of religious and cultural traditions) helped to put together the mechanics of their Marriage Ceremony .

Here is the Marriage Ceremony details – as was provided to  all guests (as a pamphlet) who attended to witness the Sunir/Shannon wedding  at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club in North York, Toronto.

Marriage Ceremony  

The Marriage Ceremony of Shannon Knights and Sunir Shah
  
Groom”™s Processional
Sunir is escorted down the aisle by his groomsmen and immediate family. His mother, Jashoda Shah, carries the wedding garlands. Shannon”™s mother, Kathy Magladry, welcomes Sunir into the family.
  
Bride”™s Processional – “Jesu, Joy of Man”™s Desiring” by J.S. Bach
The bridal party walks down the aisle. Shannon is escorted by her father, Doug Knights.
  
Navakar Mantra – Jain Prayer
Recited by Pravin & Jashoda Shah, Sunir”™s parents
I bow to the prophets.
I bow to the liberated souls.
I bow to the spiritual leaders.
I bow to the teachers.
I bow to all the saints.
This fivefold bow destroys all sins and obstacles and of all auspicious mantras, is the first and foremost one.
  
Passing of the Peace
Guests are invited to greet each other, saying “Peace be with you”.
  
Welcoming Words – by Officiant Sarah Bunnett-Gibson
Jaimala
Sunir and Shannon exchange floral garlands as a special greeting to each other.
  
Solo – “Higher Ground” by G. Green, K. Agee and S. Dorff
  
Unity Candle
Sunir and Shannon light the unity candle to represent the joining of their lives in marriage. This candle will become the sacred flame for the Mangal Phera.
Granthi Bandhan
Sunir and Shannon”™s scarves are tied together, symbolizing their union. This tradition is the origin of the term “tying the knot”.
  
Mangal Phera
Sunir and Shannon walk around the sacred flame four times. Each time, they stop to touch a stone in their path that signifies life”™s obstacles they will overcome together. The four rounds represent dharma (moral conduct), artha (wealth and prosperity), kama (love and passion) and moksha (enlightenment).
  
Saptapadi
Sunir and Shannon take seven steps together, while making the following seven promises to each other.
To provide for their new household.
To maintain physical, mental and spiritual health.
To earn and build wealth by honourable means.
To attain wisdom, happiness and harmony through their mutual love.
To raise healthy, strong and noble children.
To stay together through bounty and drought.
To remain true companions for all their lives.
  
Exchange of Vows
  
Exchange of Rings
  
Signing of Register – “Irish Blessing” arr. E. Daley
Reading – “The Art of Marriage” by W. Peterson
Read by Lauren Wilkie, Shannon”™s friend
  
Blessing
  
Pronouncement


    Recessional – “Wedding March” by F. Mendelssohn