By the time they walked down to the lawn, the sangeet was already in full swing.

Lights crisscrossed overhead like falling stars, sharp against the Mussoorie mist. The stage was elevated at the far end of the lawn, glowing under spotlights. A curved LED screen behind it flashed pictures of the bride and groom, from childhood candids to pre-wedding photoshoot glamour. Laughter rang like bells. Someone popped a bottle of champagne off to the side. Aunties in heavy lehengas twirled slowly to the music as cousins in sequined saris filmed them for reels.