My Learning Jungle!: Cambodian Wedding Time!!

Since the moment I arrived in Cambodia (just about a year ago now) I have wanted to experience a Cambodian Wedding and here of all the people I know, one of my closest friends springs their wedding on me! I went from not knowing she was even engaged to her wedding day celebration in just over a couple of weeks! I couldn't miss it!! Weddings here bring a lot of traditions.

They take one and a half days which has been shortened throughout the years from one whole week! The first day is half a day in the evening when the monks come and eat and bless the couple with their immediate family there (this is not open to the guests to see).

Then the following morning, is when the groom comes baring gifts to give to the brides family for her hand in marriage. Each guest is given some kind of packaged food item prepared by the grooms family, then we line up behind the groom in the streets. We had to line up in order of importance and relation to the family, sadly I was the caboose, and then we walk altogether down the street to the tent outside the brides house (weddings always happen right outside the brides parents house so you often see tents pitched in the middle of roads blocking the traffic). Once at the tent outside the brides house the gifts are offered to the brides family as a symbol for her hand in marriage. Afterwards we are then fed breakfast inside the tent while the bride changes into one of eight outfits! Traditionally the wealthier your family then the more outfit changes the bride and groom will have to endure.

The final part of the wedding has taken on our western traditions of a dinner and party in the evening after they have officially been married. The actual marriage they do not do in front of everyone only immediate family at the brides house; lots of praying and blessings from the family happen which takes the entire day hence why probably no one else goes....

While arranged marriages do still frequent Cambodia they have begun to gravitate to more twenty first century pairings where the couple is allowed to date. Then if that relationship seems promising the girl must alert her parents with a definite yes or no so that when the parents are approached by the suitor and his parents then the family can make it appear as though it is their decision to accept or decline.

For the evening party I joined some of the ladies from work, Miss Channouen and Bona. And as customary I had my hair, makeup, and nails done for the occasion, all of which took four people to perfect me and a whole seven dollars in price!

The evening was lovely and Sok Eng and her husband radiated happiness. I couldn't be happier for my dear friend and her lucky man! Congratulations!