Teonei Kelona Adelle Salway was sealed to Rajesh Gupta Cheethirala on 4 July 1996 in the Portland Oregone Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Originally the plan was for this couple to have a "Traditional" Indian wedding with family and friends in India. It soon became apparent, however, that it would mean some changes in his Visa status, and might require them to remain in India for a period of six months minimum after the wedding before returning to the United States. That was not acceptable to either, and the plans were quickly changed to a "Traditional American
Wedding" instead.
Because she was in Ohio until a week before the wedding, there was much to be done upon the arrival of the bride to Oregon! There were wedding dress fittings and sari fittings both. Plus a bridal shower and the tux fittings.
Tux fitting and choosing the cumberband colors.
Learning to wear the strange clothing of each culture was a challenge as well.
Although the restaurant chosen for the wedding feast was not as traditionally Indian as Rajesh would have liked, the crowd all seemed to enjoy the food and the company. There were a great many stares directed toward the bride, she believing it was because she was so light colored, others believing it was because she was so stunningly beautiful!
In spite of all that had to be done in a very short time, the couple remained happy! Even the night before the wedding after a full day of decorating and a couple of wedding rehearsals, they were enjoying every
moment of their time together.
The wedding gown was made and beading done by Aunt Iva using silk fabric and lace insets that the bride's mother (Ruth) furnished. Ruth also made the veil, which was worn at her own wedding, making it the traditional "Something Borrowed" item for the day.
"Something Old" was the string of pearls that Teonei received and wore for her mother's wedding reception on 20 May 1995.
Besides his parents visiting from India, there were other friends from India and across the country who came to help celebrate and be a part of an "American Wedding."
Something old (pearls worn at her mother's wedding), Something new (her wedding gown), Something borrowed (the veil made and worn by her mother) and something blue (her garter).
If you could actually see joy radiating, this might be what it would look like for this happy group!
Among those traditions were the Cutting of the cake and feeding one another, tossing the bouquet and shooting the garter. Tossing birdseed rather than rice, and having her sister act as Maid of Honor to help with a few things during the day.
Teonei was fortunate to have all of her siblings present as Ryan did not leave for his mission to New York until a few weeks later.
The wedding cake was baked and iced by Aunt Iva (who also made the dress) an the greenery decor added by Ruth, mother of the bride who did all of the floral arrangements and the decorations and ideas for the reception and wedding.
Although her dream was to have a temple wedding, it had to wait until Rajesh had been a member for at least a year. Having a civil ceremony to begin with allowed his family and friends to experience many of the traditions of her culture.
Signing the marriage certificate, opening gifts and greeting guests were all part of the duties of the couple. Quiet moments of rest were few, but welcome.
A CD of lovesong music done in India in a variety of romance movies was also played as some of the background music to help the guests feel more at ease.
A restful Bride's corner was set up for quiet visitng during the reception. A moment shared with her brothers was very welcomed.
The one thing Rajesh wanted as part of the day was to take his bride and parents for a ride around town in a limosine! So for about an hour, the wedding party left the party while guests ate, visited, and began some of the clean up! What a clever idea that turned out to be!
We all returned to pack up and leave quietly after the guests had trickled away.
It was also a restful way to end the day with some of the most important people together for a while.
Mr. and Mrs. Rajesh Cheethirala
This was a tradition that many had heard about and were eager to help accomplish, having brought the goodies and empty cans along for the job! All those who knew Rajesh, knew what a terrible prospect it was for him to imagine any mess on his car!
His parents were very generous in being certain that Teonei had enough sari's for the wedding as it is their tradition to change them often throughout the feasting days and stages of the wedding ceremony. She was well suited to wearing them and looked lovely in each and every one from casual to fancy. She changed from her wedding gown into a sari to leave the church.
The guestbook table, punch table, centerpieces for individual tables, and other decorations were not all photographed, but there were florals hanging from the baskethoops of the basketball backdrops. It was well decorated and included a wall of photos showing both Teonei and Rajesh in their youth and together. The marriage was performed by Bishop Spitzer, who was the bishop of her mother in the Hillsboro ward at the time of the wedding.
