THE middle of summer is the wedding season in the Asian community as it is only in the summer months when the weather is likely to be warm or dry enough for some of the functions surrounding an Asian wedding to take place in public.

More importantly perhaps it is the only time when school halls are available.

Unlike the western model the Asian wedding is a big social affair, when the week-long celebrations take place in public rather than private.

There is of course no requirement for a wedding to be turned into a public event but as it is the parents of the bride and groom who organise and finance the weddings, it is an opportunity for them to share their happiness with not just members of their immediate families but with friends, neighbours and acquaintances.

The bride and groom have no organisational role to play and are lucky if they are allowed a few moments alone as their presence at the top table is an essential requirement during the reception, which may last from a couple of hours to over four hours.

Although there is a formula for calculating the number of guests who may turn up for the "walima" (wedding reception), I am always amazed at how many people are actually looked after, fed and watered at a typical Asian wedding. Whole families, with ladies and children in their most beautiful and colourful attires come for the wedding celebrations.

The menu at wedding receptions is a mixture of tandoori chicken, lamb kebabs, sweet and savoury rice, naan bread and curries often followed by rich ice cream flavoured with almonds and pistachios and washed down with soft drinks.

As most guests do not wish to bring an inappropriate present for the newly weds, they leave a monetary contribution towards the celebrations, which is often used by the young couple to put down a deposit for a place of their own or purchase an item, such as a car, of their choice.

The traditions of big receptions help to bring people together and, apart from the religious festivals, weddings are important for sharing happiness. It helps to reinforce bonds between newlyweds and the community and no doubt helps prevent marriage break-ups over trivial matters.

Last weekend we had the pleasure of attending the wedding of Yasser Ayoub, of Adelaide Road, High Wycombe, and Farzana Koser, of Oakridge Road, with lovely weather, food and live music with "dholes" the two-ended drums from rural Punjab.

Congratulations to the newlyweds their parents and a special thanks to Mr Mohammed Ayoub and Mrs Muriyum Ayoub for a very enjoyable weekend.