A Guyanese Wedding

One of our students got married this weekend! Shemona is a first year keyboard and brass student. I had the privilege of getting to know her last year thanks to Ryan. I was able to sing at a couple concerts with her. She has an amazing voice and is a very hard worker. I was not aware she was engaged until I arrived to Guyana. Claire was the maid of honor in the wedding and all three of us did some sort of music. I did a trumpet piece for her bridal entry, Claire played to viola pieces (one at the wedding and one at the reception), and Twyla sang at the reception with me accompanying her on guitar. We had not experienced a true Guyanese wedding until this one, and it was on Valentine’s Day none the less!

Claire and I attended the rehearsal since we were both doing things in the actual ceremony on Saturday night after teaching all afternoon. We arrived at Shemona’s house and assisted with preparing a couple things/watching all the craziness happen for somewhere around and hour to an hour and a half. Then we went to the church. I will say, this was the fasted wedding rehearsal I have ever been to. All that was rehearsed was the processional and the recessional. It gave Ryan and I some time to work out the kinks of playing together in a not so nice to Ryan key. J After the rehearsal the Best Man and his family gave Claire and I a ride home to New Amsterdam.

Sunday morning came as did freezing cold showers. Claire and I were out the door by 9:20 to catch a car to go back to Shemona’s house. We had to wade through a few inches of water as we walked through the Lutheran Compound because it had been raining pretty heavy off and on throughout the night and early morning. I will say, I was very glad that we were able to leave all of the instruments with Shemona. It made things so much easier. We got to Shemona’s house and then were taken by another car to her grandmother’s house. That is where Shemona and others were getting ready. I got to play with two very cute little girls while Claire did Maid of Honor duties for Shemona. It was a site to see as they worked on Shemona’s hair. It was gorgeous. When it was Claire’s turn to get ready I assisted her with hair and makeup as well as making sure her dress actually stayed in place. I even got to be photographer for a while. Then it was time for the ceremony.

We made our way to the church. Claire with Shemona and I with a bunch of Shemona’s friends and family who acted as my driver and company for a good portion of the day. It was a beautiful ceremony, and I had a very unique view. Due to how the church was set up after I played the processional I couldn’t sit down with the congregation. I sat behind the groom’s men up at the altar. I had a perfect view of Shemona and her love throughout the service until they were turned around and announced for the first time as a married couple. It was a wonderful experience being able to see their facial expressions as different things happened throughout the ceremony.

After the ceremony we headed to the reception. I once again played the processional as the wedding party entered the location. I also had the opportunity to accompany Twyla singing “All of Me” on guitar. During the reception there were live performances by many friends and family of the couple as well as multiple toasts. We were there for about three hours. Twyla and I were alone at our own little table. It was fun to see many of the Seventh Day Adventist friends that I had met last year. I really enjoyed catching up with them. The day was beautiful and Shemona is very happy. She made a beautiful bride. We were all exhausted when we got home for the evening and spent time doing our own things (I went out to karaoke, shocker). This wedding was a great introduction to Guyanese weddings for me. Who knows, maybe I will be invited to another one before we leave in June!