A Haitian Wedding

Last Friday--April 6--was a busy day.  I was at the Embassy in the morning and then attended my friend Patrick's wedding that evening.  I had heard lots about Haitian weddings, this wedding in particular.  First thing I want to say is that this wedding is NOT the typical Haitian wedding.  It was very nice, but it was also filled with lots of what an up-and-coming couple in Haiti would include.

Bridesmaid

My friend Oriol and his girlfriend

First of all, the wedding party is rented.  Patrick and Gardine did not have their friends stand up in the wedding; instead, couples can rent the bridesmaids and groomsmen to participate in the wedding.  These people have the nice gowns and the nice tuxes, so they look good, but being a part of a bridal party is their job.

"The protocols"--ushers--rented

In addition to a rented bridal party, their are other participants who are rented.  These include the prince and princess, the king and queen, and the "announseusse."  The princess, the queen, and the "announceusse" all wear bridal gowns, and the prince and king wear tuxes.  During the whole procession in, most of the guests talked and didn't really pay attention.  I don't know why that was (it was both the Haitians and many of the American guests talking).  

Prince and Princess

They also had a flower girl and ring bearer (little kids) another girl who tossed out flower petals.  Not sure why the flower girl didn't do that, but I think Gardine and Patrick were trying to include most of their kids.  

One part that I thought was cool was after the bride and groom are presented to the congregation, three friends of Gardine and three friends of Patrick are called up to sign the marriage certificate right there as part of the ceremony.  

King and Queen

"Announcer"

The wedding started two hours late (not unusual in Haiti), and the reception place cancelled the day of the wedding.  My understanding is that the reception place got a better deal that day and decided to rent the place out from under Patrick.  They did find another place for the reception, but it ended early due to some violence from the outside.  I skipped the reception because I was tired of waiting in general--waited at the embassy, waited at the guesthouse to leave, waited at the wedding for 90 minutes before it started.  I just didn't want to wait anymore.  

Gardine--bride

Altar area