Bowes Museum plays host to wedding ceremony
Aug 30 2010 by Robert Weatherall, The Journal
A MUSEUM was transformed from a collection of old exhibits into a kaleidoscope of colour during an Indian wedding.
The conservative surroundings of Bowes Museum played host to a ceremony which saw people from all over the world descend on the small market town of Barnard Castle.
Northumberland couple Rajan Jerath, 25, and his bride Neena Choudhury welcomed people from as far afield as Hong Kong, India and Malaysia as they tied the knot at the County Durham venue which was built to look like a French Chateau.
The couple invited so many guests to their wedding that three marquees had to be set up in the grounds of the museum to accommodate everyone.
Neena, 25, from Darras Hall, Northumberland said: “We looked at a few venues, but when I saw this I just fell in love with it. It is like a palace and I just thought the setting would help me to feel even more of a princess on our special day.”
A team of party hosts from exclusive London events agency Payal Prestige spent more than a week setting up the marquees and transforming them into a greeting area, as well as an exclusive restaurant and nightclub. Bowes Museum wedding officer Verity Naseby said: “This is the first time we have hosted an Indian wedding and it is stunning.
“There are so many guests that the only way to accommodate everyone was to use the lawns at the back for marquees.
“It is also the biggest wedding to take place here.” Indian weddings can last over several days and yesterday’s proceedings were just the first stages of the celebrations.
Rajan, who runs a clothing business, first enjoyed a Sagem ceremony where he met and received gifts from everyone connected with the brides’ family.
Neena, a teacher, then arrived to applause and the couple sat together as they underwent a Chunni ceremony in which the pair received gifts from people invited by Rajan’s family. Although the couple exchanged vows during a civil ceremony, the real focus of the wedding is still yet to come.
Neena explained: “What has happened today is more akin to an engagement celebration. We have had the civil ceremony here today as well, just to get the legal aspect of things sorted.
“We are heading out to Goa in a few weeks to have an Indian ceremony which will cover the religious side of things. It will be a week-long celebration and we will be married on the beach.”
Rajan said: “We have had a wonderful time today and we would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make the day such a success.”
Following their wedding in Goa, the couple plan enjoy a honeymoon which will see them travel the world taking in highlights of Europe, Australia and the United States.
