Since the off, 14 February has been a date pencilled into our diary. For Salomon, the leader of the national volunteers, had invited us to join the celebrations within 10 minutes of our first bus ride, displaying the welcoming Honduran spirit from the moment we entered the country. Super excited, we were thrilled to be invited. It highlighted just how successful the previous cycle had been in developing relationships with the national volunteers and therefore it was only right that we did it justice. Getting our glad rags on, straighteners out and shirts fresh from the laundrette (we treated ourselves), 12:00 chimed, it was time to go.
So, what is a Honduran wedding like? Previous to my application for ICS, I had been working as a receptionist at a Wedding Venue, and having seen my fair share of weddings by the time I left, I had gone off the idea of marriage as quickly as it takes a couple to say "I do". Today this changed.
For one; it showed me that you certainly do not need to have a lot of money to create the most beautiful wedding. It is about your love for one another and having your family and friends alongside to watch and celebrate. Or, in this case, the whole community, a good 300 people, and a few very out of place British "tourists" at the back.
Arriving at 12.30, we were welcomed into Teresa’s home, literally a stones throw way from the church. Early, each of us were offered a Coca-Cola while we perched in the pine needle covered and peach paper train decorated atrium. Being me, I could but only make comparisons between wedding prep of that I had experienced in the UK. I may have not been accustom to a Hondureño wedding, however, the pre "jitters " atmosphere that surrounded us was exactly the same. The ‘casa’ (house) was complete with exciting flurries, perfectly positioned crockery, mismatched guests, teeny weeny children scurrying around at the base of every person’s feet and, of course, the bride hidden right out of the way. Oh and that one lady, radiating joy, who smiles and hugs absolutely everybody!
Getting itchy feet we moved into the church. It was beautiful. Seating ourselves promptly at the back, we waited, and we waited, and we waited some more. Anna couldn’t have described the wedding schedule any better “Here, the brides do the late thing, and then they do the Honduran element” (ie “cinco minutos” translates to two hours). Eventually the church filled, the more women and children that entered, the more we felt our secure positioning “out of the way” was a slight hindrance to the ever growing crowd. A group decision we decided to vacate the pew, after a close encounter with the radiating lady (as previously described) whom, on my offer to give up my seat, preceded to want to share, leaving myself perched three quarters in the air and one quarter on the chair. Thankfully, in relief of my quickly cramping leg, we instead stood, ripe and ready to view the whole shebang. Bang being the literal word as guns shots flared, the ceremony began.
Every word in español, Teresa, 20, and José, 24, got married. Vows were taken with an eternity knot placed gently around their heads. The band played the “Wedding March”, to a salsa beat. Instead of throws of confetti, the happy couple experienced throws of people, each one wanting to hug, kiss, congratulate… and photo bomb, as they took those first few steps as one.
Once the bride and groom had vacated the building, each one of the 300 guests squeezed themselves through the peach ballooned arch, where, just like in the UK, celebrations lasted well into the early morning, or so we were told by Salomon.
This was a Valentine’s Day worth remembering. A wonderful, unique and loving occasion that we are so grateful we had the opportunity to experience.
