It has been a while since I have been at a Haitian wedding. Heather and the kids were at one a few weeks ago while I was traveling to Lagonav. Unfortunately it was not a great experience for the kids. The wedding was due to begin at 4PM but didn’t start until after dark. Besides knowing the brother of the bride most of folks were unknown to them. Sadly people were not too friendly. But the event did finally get going and some neighbors helped everyone home in the dark. They didn’t want Esther to have to go in her stroller so they got a car to take everyone back home.
On Saturday was another wedding, this time of our beach friend Bernard. Bernard sells paintings and other souvenirs on the Kaliko beach front. We have known him since we first came to Haiti in 2007. He has a neat story of being converted several years ago. Everyone comments on the big change in his life. He is a very kind man who was now marrying the woman he has lived with for a long time. In fact they have 5 children together.
So the wedding invitation said 3PM. We knew it would not start on time so we planned to arrive around 4PM. This time we were not the first people there! We greeted Bernard and soon after the bride and all the bridesmaids arrived as well. As the service started first off was the processionals. And there were lots. Every couple had their own music that danced to as they made their way to the front of the church.
The wedding had most of the normal elements you might see at a North American wedding. The difference was everything was in French and there were 5 special music groups – choirs from various churches who sang special songs. And then it was over and the bride and groom came down the aisle. The church cleared out quickly as everyone made their way to the reception. Another Haitian wedding under our belt!
No comments:
Post a Comment