shareWedding Celebrations Bring A Brighter Future To All
By Lauren McMahon June 2008
Many volunteers return home after their placement with fond memories, stories of adventure and an armful of souvenirs. Astrid Charra from Geneva however says she returned home with the greatest treasure of all - a husband!
On 28th May 2008, Astrid Charra and Ed Carr, GVN Nepal Volunteers, tied the knot at Manakamana Temple in Bistachaap, Kathmandu.
The happy couple met in Southern England four years earlier but now reside in Geneva, Switzerland. Ed and Astrid both share a passion for volunteering and together decided to toss in their jobs and fly to Nepal to participate in GVN's Teaching Program for one month. But Astrid and Ed maintain that an 'I do' was never on their list of things 'to do' while in Nepal.
"We always knew we wanted to get married at some point, but have never been inspired by European weddings. Being in Nepal, it didn't take us much time to fall in love with the culture and the people. After a few weeks on the project, we decided to get married, but really didn't plan it before," says Astrid.
Ed and Astrid were married by a priest in a traditional Hindu ceremony, lovingly surrounded by their host family members, VSN staff and volunteers, children from the Brighter Future and Shining Stars Homes and members of Bistachaap community.
Astrid looked amazing in a beautiful red sari, a traditional dress for a Hindu bride. Her hands and feet were decoratively painted with henna. Ed had flowers around his neck and wore the traditional Topi on his head and the couple also exchanged garlands and rings.
As part of the ceremony the bride and groom walked around the fire four times, alternating in who leads. The first turn was for happiness in the union of the couple, the second was for the long life of the couple, the third was for the healthy life of the couple and the last was for the happiness and health of the couple.
The day was split between religious ceremonies, which lasted for 2 hours, and the reception which was held at one of the children's home, Brighter Futures.
"There was a tent with food for everyone and we danced and sang with all of the children. There would have been about one hundred of us all altogether, it was very beautiful!"
Astrid and Ed both agree that the worshipping and rituals was their favourite part of the day.
"We both sat on the floor by the shrine and made offerings to different gods while the priest sang prayers in Sanskrit. The ritual involved the children as well which was a strong moment for us. They all gave us Tikka and came up one by one to put the red coloured rice on our foreheads for good luck."
"Nepal is such a spiritual country, and has beautiful beliefs and customs. The colours are intense and getting married on top of a hill in the Kathmandu valley under the Hindu culture felt exactly like the right thing to do at the right time and the right place. The wedding day was stunning and will be in our memories for life!"
The priest prayed that Astrid and Ed's life together be blessed with an abundance of food, prosperity, happiness, children, and love, and that they may be strong and complement one another to live in harmony and always be the best of friends.
The team at GVN wishes to congratulate Astrid and Ed on their marriage and offer the same blessing. Thank you so much for sharing your special day with us.
Nepal Become involved in community aid programs in Nepal, including teaching, building, orphanage care, and health care. 