Leon and Nisha's Wedding Extravaganza in May

We are Fa-Mi-Ly.

The dancing gets under way in earnest.

Nisha gives her own speech of thanks at the Hindu reception.

Looking extremely distinguished for the bridal waltz.

Leon chews and swallows the champagne cork, in keeping with local Wembley traditions, and looks very pleased with himself for swallowing the whole thing.

Bhasker puts an oversized champagne cork in the mouth of his new son-in-law, Leon, ritually signalling that the speeches are finished, and can we all please eat now.

Did we mention Nisha's dresses looked rather impressive?

Couple cuts cake.

Leon then leans somewhat to his right as he gives the English language translation of his reception speech.

Leon gives his Hindu reception speech in Gujerati. This was a Big Effort, and confirmed his status as a Good Lad.

Leon and Nisha bracing for a moat-full of curry and hours of dance.

Nisha enters the reception. Some say dress number three was the most spectacular of them all.

Megan, Nick, and Kate raising celebratory bubbles

Nick and Kate Johnston.

Marion and Megan.

The amazing cake for the Hindu reception. The Hindu wedding ceremony and reception were screened live over the internet, making it possible for Gujerat to watch all the revels.

Baz, Liz, and Tom.

Sean negotiating the bride's way out of there. Bhasker listens to reason.

Nisha's sister Anita attempts to prevent her new brother-in-law from carting her dear sister off. Sean seizes the initiative and bribes her out of the car's way. Price: �11. (Not much!)

Nisha and Leon approach the bridal Rolls.

Banquet chairs for the Hindu reception.

Baz and Sean getting a bit peckish after the Hindu wedding.

Leon's splendid shoes for the Hindu wedding ceremony.

Becky and Beryl.

All day, sir.

Getting ready: the ring is about to drop into the basin.

Chasing the marriage ring. Leon has given up playing the ball, and is just trying to stop Nisha.

This is a post-wedding game, where the bride and groom seek to retrieve a marriage ring from a basin of crimson water. The winner is said to be the dominant partner in the marriage. You may gather that Nisha was the winner -- four times in a row!

Sean, Beryl, and her forever-young aunt Annie.

Katerina and Nick after the Hindu wedding ceremony.

Back: Liz, Sean, Nick, Terry. Front: Baz, Nisha, Leon, Beryl.

Patels: Manju, Nisha, and Bhasker. Clarks: Leon, Baz, and Beryl.

Patels: Manju, Nisha, and Bhasker.

Samir Patel, Anita Patel, Liz Cham, and Manju Patel.

NIsha, Leon, and Baz in the ceremonial pavilion.

Leon lays down the law. Look mate, we're going outside, and we expect the Rolls to be waiting when we get outside. Nisha bends her mental powers silently to the aid of her new husband's powerplay.

Bride, groom, and mums.

Beryl later reported the conversation thus:You were terrific dear. Oh thank you dear, but I I thought you were the terrific one.

Exchanging the sweets.

Leon applies rich red to Nisha's parting.

Married!

Exchanging vows.

Holding their parcel of little goodies.

Having been bound together, and holding commonly onto a parcel of leaves, spices, coins, and various other bits, Leon and Nisha take a series of turns around the wedding pavilion.

Samir, Nisha's brother, brings a series of gifts to Leon.

The bride and groom being very well-behaved to this point.

After the heads are dotted, the parents feed each other sweets.

Baz applies the soulful spot to Baskar.

The parents of the bride and groom decorate each others' foreheads.

Exchanging garlands. Note the busy Brahman bottom right. He was explaining the significance of every ritual as it happened..