Not Perry good: A big fat controversial Indian wedding

Katy Perry-Russell Brand's big fat Indian wedding saddled with controversies; guests demand elephant safari and maid of honour Rihanna runs late

Contrary to rumours that American pop sensation Katy Perry had already married her British beau comedian-actor Russell Peter on Thursday or Friday, the couple actually exchanged nuptial vows on Saturday evening. But at the time of going to print, Perry's best friend, Barbadian pop star, Rihanna was not to be seen.

According to highly placed sources in Aman-i-Khas, the resort on the outskirts of tiger reserve Ranthambore in Rajasthan where the couple and their guests are staying till Monday, the bride was wearing a ghaghra- choli with a ghoonghat that covered her forehead and eyes. Meanwhile, Brand was spotted wearing mehendi.

Taxi tour to shaadi

At around four in the evening, guests, some of whom have been accommodated in other properties like Sherbagh Resort, started dropping in at the venue in various variants of Mercedes. Most of the cars had been sourced from Delhi's taxi operators.

The cars that ferried Russell's guests had letter 'R' written on the front shield, while the bride's guests sat in cars with 'P' written on them. The menu, primarily continental, also had Indian delicacies but with moderate spices. The couple is staying together in tent number six and reportedly shelled out Rs 20 crore for their wedding.

The wedding, which was supposed to be solemnised according to Hindu rituals in an Indian setting, ended up as an Indo-western marriage because the guests were dressed in western attire, flowers were especially brought in from Holland, and guests were served wine while rituals were underway.

Controversies galore

And where the celebrities are, can controversy be far behind? The support staff of Backstage Productions complained that they were asked to leave the resort at five in the evening and were not given water and food for the entire day.

So they had to walk five kilometres for food when they left the resort. Inspite of strict orders from the local authorities, music was played loudly while the ceremony was on.

And despite the written apology that the couple was forced to issue for one of their bodyguards assaulting an international photographer on Friday, the lesson was lost on Pete, another bodyguard, who gave the cameraman of an Indian news agency the four-letter word and blocked his view.

Guests throw tantrums

Reportedly, some guests made sudden demands for an elephant safari from the hotel staff in the morning, which made things a bit tough since there are only three trained elephants in the area permitted to take the trip around the tiger reserve, and these too are booked weeks in advance. However, two elephants were arranged at around 11 am.

And though the couple tried their best to entertain their guests with safaris, folk performances, snake charmers, laser shows and Indian delicacies, 10 of the 85 guests staying at the Aman-i-Khas reportedly checked out of their luxurious tents hours before the wedding. "We have seen some guests packing their luggage and discussing early check outs, " said a hotel insider.