It is 9 am on Saturday, April 20, 2024, and the make-up artist and hairdressers are ready at the bride’s house in Caranzalem.
Bags of gels, make-up essentials and accessories to doll-up the bride are emptied. And, just as they begin, a light drizzle brings frowns upon the faces of the family members.
In the meantime, the photographers arrive. They plan the photoshoot – the wedding gown photos along with some extra shots.
Just when they have found the perfect place to shoot the wedding gown, the drizzle begins to increase, and the photographer’s team rushes downstairs with the dress before the rain drenches it.
The gloomy weather didn’t have the Azavedo family worrying much. A few hours later, as the clouds get darker, the frowns turn to worry lines. The bride, on the other hand, is still relaxed.
“I spoke to the groom early in the morning,” says the bride, Nadia Azavedo, and laughs, as Melissa the makeup artist applies a layer of foundation on her face.
“He seemed a bit upset, but then, I consoled him told him to relax and enjoy every moment of the day,” says the bride.
Luckily for this couple, they have booked a reception hall in Miramar, which has indoor as well as outdoor seating arrangements.
“This makes it much better for guests to sit and enjoy. Look at the bright side – the atmosphere will be cool. I have picked up two pairs of shoes – gold and silver. So, I will use them during the nuptials and reception. I just hope my wedding gown doesn’t get dirty before the nuptials,” says Nadia.
While Nadia gets her hair done, photographer Roland Gomes of PaperRose Art prefers to remain calm amidst the tension.
“It is pouring continuously here, but the photos we get when it rains are just wonderful. When it rains, the vibe of the place, and the pictures if clicked well, look beautiful, though it can get very tricky for the equipment we carry. But, we always come prepared for any sudden natural phenomena such as this,” says Roland.
While in the North things look sorted, the Saxticars appear to be bit anxious about the unseasonal rains.
Raj, a wedding car decorator, is concerned about whether the flowers on the car he’s decorating will withstand the heavy rain and gusty wind, as he uses fine wires to secure the flowers.
“Usually, we use tape to keep the flowers from falling, but now, I have used some wires, too. This will keep the flowers from falling, and I have also requested the driver to drive cautiously,” says Raj.
Another groom from Margao, whose wedding is just days away, is on call with the caterer to check on the food waste options.
“We have seen the forecast, it mentions 'gloomy', but we are more concerned about the food wastage that will be caused if guests don’t arrive,” says the shy groom, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"We have made some calls to local NGOs to see if they will accept some food, in case there is massive wastage,” he adds.
Although today's showers gave the locals a welcome respite from the scorching heat of the past few weeks, it will also give celebrations such as weddings a unique vibe.
And, all that matters is turning the April showers from a damp squib into showers of blessings for the bridal couple.
