The Wedding 5 January 2024

The big day had finally arrived and we started with some breakfast then nipped off to the markets and to visit the local ruins. 

The streets in Mitla

Market

Templo San Pablo Villa de Mitla

Chorizo Empanadas

We managed to to find more bits and bobs but could not find the entry to the ruins so had some excellent lunch at the Origen maize again and went home to prepare for a big afternoon and evening.

Remember that we were asked to purchase our wedding attire from local markets rather than buy a wedding gift. And we had found our clothes on the first day. Aeneas’ sister had bought her dress and her family’s clothes yesterday at the Mitla market. She is quite a trim woman and everything was too baggy, so the lovely ladies at the market offered to take the dress in, it didn’t take long and she popped back to try it on and it would go on! They had taken it in too much and trimmed the inside seam! The lovely ladies then remeasured and got another dress and had it ready in a jiffy. And they only charged for the one dress!

The wedding was held at the Casa Regina Hotel, and the wedding planner and her team had transformed the area which previously had just been a blank space. Tables were laid out beautifully with succulents as centrepieces, and the chairs were set out with an aisle. 

We were given little sticks with lace and ribbon to wave as they walked back down the aisle.

I must mention here that the following day I had to rehydrate and drank loads of water, this was not, as you may have thought, due to a hangover. It was because of the amount of tears that I shed during the ceremony, as did most of the people gathered. 

We were alerted that the bride had arrived by music, and not just any music but a mariachi band that had snuck in behind the seated guests. There were tears! Then Sarid and her parents appeared and there were more tears, from me, Lance, the people around us, and the bride. The bride crying was not a surprise because she is a bit of a cryer, in fact ‘a bit’ is really an understatement.

Sarid, suppported by her mother and father on either side walked up the aisle in a beautiful dress that of course had been made locally. It was a simple style, sophisticated with a series of ruffles that fell elegantly to the ground. Sarid has the most amazing hair, and I mean amazing. Some days I find it hard not to touch it when I am talking to her. Her abundant curls were pulled back on one side and secured with a beautiful floral comb. 

When she reached Aenaes she turned and hugged her Mum and Dad and of course there were tears all round. In fact, I actually had little sobs that I had to control. 

The ceremony was conducted by a Kiwi friend who, although he does not speak Spanish, managed to conduct the whole service in English and Spanish. It was a very personal and sometimes funny service and really lovely. The mariachi band played as they walked out and we stood and waved our little lace and ribbon flags.

The mariachi band continued to play as trays of mezcal (similar to tequila) and little shot glasses circulated through the guests along with other beverages. The beer was in half size Coronavirus bottles. This was so your beer didn’t get warm because you would finish it sooner! What a great idea, and the bottles were so cute!

We were seated when the bride and groom arrive back and small hors d’oeuvres size bites were served. Oh my god! They were delicious!

A little tostada thingy with chicken and pink pickled onions

Mole negro enchilada

Sarid and Aenaes had put a lot of thought into the food as Oaxaca is the food capital of Mexico and is well known for its mole, not to be confused with the small eyed creature with poor eyesight in the Wind of the Willows, it is pronounced molay and is a type of sauce usually made with chocolate but has seven different types. 

Shortly after this, and remember the mezcal is still circulating around the guests, along with mini beers, special fresh juices, margaritas, paloma cocktails made with pomelo juice (a pink grapefruit), a platter arrived with more treats.

Teeny tiny tasty grasshoppers

A platter with a selection of delicious local treats

Again it was all delicious. The little battered pieces were jalapeños stuffed with I think chicken were so yummy. The tiny local cheese on sticks tasted like buffalo mozzarella and, as you can see in the picture, a variety of other treats including some teeny tiny grasshoppers which were really tasty. And maybe that is why Lance was leaping around the dance floor later on!

Our mains were a selection of mole dishes and were served randomly, but to ensure we all got to taste each of the three different mole sauces we received a bowl of each sauce as well.  I have fallen in love with mole.

The temperature during the day was around 28 degrees Celsius but in the evening it drops significantly. Aenaes said that he had looked into hiring gas heaters, but the price was exorbitant. So instead they bought Mexican poncho style hoodies and wraps for all of the guests which came out cheaper!

The evening progressed with a couple of speeches and dancing. The music was popular songs that we know but then the DJ slapped on some Mexican music and the Mexicans ruled the dance floor! They were so great to watch and some of the music appeared to have particular steps that were followed. It was actually quite a joyful thing to watch and the kiwi that I was with commented that us who are of English decent just don’t have anything as special as this. 

At some stage Sarid and Aenaes took the floor for the Bride and Groom dance, at the end of the dance fire works exploded around the dance floor! 

 

Later in the evening, and remember that mezcal being poured in copious amounts, a special tradition was followed la vibra de la mar (the sea snake dance) is where the bride and groom stand on a chair each and hold a long scarf between them. Some of the guests support the groom or bride by standing around the chair. The other guests form a long chain and career around the room and under the scarf trying to knock them off the chair. In this case it was only the groom that was to be knocked off, and I was part of the chain formed by al of the ladies. Sarid called to me to be careful as they will be running fast and I was grabbed and off we went. It is a wonder my arms are still in my sockets, the ladies went flying around and crashed into the maul of men surrounding Aeneas. On about the third circuit I noticed Lance packed into the ruck grinning away as the women smashed into them. I managed to unlink my self as they all pushed and shoved to get him off the chair, eventually, with less men supporting him he tumbled slowly into the men below. Apparently (from google) it symbolises the ups and downs of marriage.

 I can’t get the rest of the text to justify, sorry about the higgledy piggly spacing  

      I have never been to a wedding where the bride throws the bouquets, but Sarid  

      did it and there was a bevy of women waiting for the toss!

    Another surprise came with a blast when fire works exploded along the cacti 

   fence. This was a wedding that just kept on giving. And still the mezcal was 

   flowing.

       Then came the tossing of the groom!  Aenaes was hoisted up and carried 

      around  in a funeral march signifying the grooms end to a single life. Then he 

      was tossed into the air!

And of course the trays of mezcal were still being served.

I was amazed that people did not seem to be too messy considering the amount of mezcal that was being consumed. Myself? A little sip to see if had got any better, Lance? Can’t remember how many but was a very jolly fellow!

It was really lovely seeing Sarid in her home country with her family and friends. She was positively glowing the whole day and you should see her dance! We both felt very privileged to have been invited and to share in this special day.