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!
Sok Eng and her Husband Seang Engyean
The tent in the middle of the street
The gift I was to present Lining up to march to her parents house to present gifts
Arrived at the tent
Breakfast
This nice table of ladies took me in and force fed me
All the gifts
I snuck upstairs to see the bride during one of her many outfit changes
Bride and Groom
Evening Party. From left: Seang Engyean, Sok Eng, me, Bona, Channouen
Channouen, me, Bona
Ready to walk and be blessed by all of us
pummelled with flowers
Family shot
The cake
More pics of the Bride in her many outfits!
