London, Oct 24 (IANS) It was a fantasy Indian wedding for British comedian Russell Brand and singer Katy Perry, complete with snake charmers, fire jugglers, fire eaters, dancers to the accompaniment of vedic chants and classical Indian music. Brand rode a horse to the wedding venue at a luxury resort in Rajasthan.
Brand, riding a horse, went in a traditional Indian wedding procession to marry Katy Perry and was escorted by an entourage of elephants, camels and more horses.
The couple said in a statement that they ‘were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Brand on Saturday, October 23’.
‘The very private and spiritual ceremony, attended by the couples’ closest family and friends was performed by a Christian minister…The backdrop was the inspirational and majestic countryside of northern India,’ the statement added.
The couple exchanged vows at a luxury resort Aman-i-Khas near Ranthambore. Earlier in the day, two elephants named Laxmi and Mala were seen arriving at the resort. As the animals walked into the venue, a red carpet was rolled out for them. The trees lining the path into the venue were lit up with white and gold lights.
The sound of traditional Indian instruments including the sitar, the santoor, the tabla and kettle drum filled the resort and traditional Rajasthani folk musicians could be heard singing. Some of the sacred Vedic chanting could also be heard.
According to the dailymail.co.uk, in keeping with the Hindu tradition, the groom arrived on horseback – escorted by elephants, camels. The mandap (wedding canopy) was erected in Aman-i-Khas’s central large pavilion tent, which was strung with orange, red and yellow ribbons. The venue was also decorated with marigold garlands.
There were fire jugglers and fire eaters, snake charmers and dance troupes, folk singers and drummers as well.
While Indian supermodel Jesse Randhawa and her husband, choreographer Sandhip Soparrkar danced for them, singer P. Diddy also joined in the celebrations with his musical performance
The guest list included Perry’s parents, evangelical preachers Keith and Mary Hudson and brother David, Brand’s mother Barbara, his best man, manager Nik Linnen, and comedian David Baddiel and his partner Morwenna Banks and their two children.
Also present were David Walliams, Jonathan Ross and his wife Jane Goldman and family, and Perry’s maid of honour Rihanna.
