"You should really have kids now." If I had a nickel for every time someone has said this to me in the last two years that I've been married...we could have been reimbursed for the damn wedding itself lol. Brides, don't you just love the fact that when you sent your wedding invitations, you basically also issued an… Continue reading Babies.
Category: Tradition
Pakistani Wedding Rasams 101
I'm guessing that if you grew up in Pakistan, or even in a very Pakistani community in Canada/the UK/the US, then you're probably pretty well versed in the bazillion rasams (cultural customs) that happen at a Pakistani wedding. But in my recent circuit of wedding attendance, I've realized that that's not always the case. Maybe… Continue reading Pakistani Wedding Rasams 101
The Joota Chupai
Hello! So, is it just me, or do you guys also think that the ‘joota chupai’ rasm has just gotten a bit crazy in recent years? For those not familiar (none of my bridesmaids were!) I explained the joota chupai like this: it’s a playful tradition where the bride's sisters and girlfriends ‘steal’ the groom’s shoe, and get him to… Continue reading The Joota Chupai
The Ugly Side of Desi Weddings
Pakistani weddings are great. This is fact. More than the couple, Pakistani weddings are about family, warmth, joy, and jovial celebrations. But there's a truly ugly side to desi weddings that I think needs to be addressed. And that is: the inevitable comparisons that guests make about the events thrown by the girls side (shaadi)… Continue reading The Ugly Side of Desi Weddings
All My Single Ladies!
Ladies (And Gents?!) Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! I knowwww; it’s been forever! In the last couple of months that I’ve been MIA I have: moved apartments; been job-searching; planning our vacay to Europe and trying to lose all of that post-dawat weight (be warned brides, be warned!) But, I’m back! This blog has – and still is -… Continue reading All My Single Ladies!
Dholki Song Booklet (Urdu Edition!)
Ladies, and gents, I'm sounding an alarm bell: our generation is at risk of losing our rich cultural traditions. How so? This past weekend I was at a dholki (pre-wedding event where you play the traditional drum and sing wedding folk songs). An aside, this is what I wore, another outfit from Chinyere, the same… Continue reading Dholki Song Booklet (Urdu Edition!)
Desi Weddings: Then and Now
Hi All! I wanted to share with you a feature article I wrote for a new South Asian magazine, called ZINDGI (meaning, "LIFE", for all my non-Urdu/Hindi speakers!) They wanted me to write a piece about weddings (broad, I know!) so I decided to write about the evolution of South Asian weddings; how for so… Continue reading Desi Weddings: Then and Now
Video! My Purple Boys’ Mehndi Dance!
Hi Friends! I'm back - and now I have video :D! SO happy to share this with you guys - when all my white boys (and brother) surprised me at my mehndi by doing this: The lead, my dear friend Patrick Faller, practiced those perfect moves in Prince Edward Island, pulled our two other friends… Continue reading Video! My Purple Boys’ Mehndi Dance!
Gifting Traditions in Desi Wedding Culture
Hi Everyone! In my opinion, there is nothing like an inquisitive outside point of view to make you think about the things that you have grown up to understand as traditions. Throughout my wedding planning, that's what I had in my boss, who was eagerly curious about each and every piece of my BFPW. And… Continue reading Gifting Traditions in Desi Wedding Culture
Throwback Thursday: the Baat Pakki (BP)!
The Baat Pakki, or BP as we called it, was tricky to explain to my non-Pakistani friends....."so, it's an engagement, but not an engagement?" Pretty much, I told them. At least that's what my experience was, but every fam does it differently I'm sure. I actually had 3 variations of engagements, or declarations of commitment!… Continue reading Throwback Thursday: the Baat Pakki (BP)!
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