Cambodian Weddings 1

I love going to weddings. Most of all I love going to Cambodian weddings. 

I've been fortunate enough to have helped both my older brother(left picture) and older sister(right picture) with their weddings. Cambodian weddings are very different from American weddings. It is much longer and tiresome, but all worth it. Traditional Cambodian weddings last several days, but in America some Cambodian people shorten the ceremonies. I really don't know how many ceremonies there are, or even their purpose, but they are all essential in getting married the "correct" way in my heritage. Of course, all weddings run on different times, but I am going to share a few experiences of a Cambodian Wedding in the way that my family does it.

           The first day the whole household has to be up around four o'clock in the morning in order to get ready for all the guests who usually, arrive around six. When it hits seven o'clock the ceremony begins. The whole ceremony is basically acted out.The groom and his family awaits the approval of the bride's family to enter the house. After, the bride and groom are supposedly introduced to each other for the first time. Then, the groom's family enters the house baring gifts and valuable food such as a pig. From there on the bride and groom are to sit with their legs crossed throughout the entire day (except when their changing into a million different outfits for the different ceremonies). For instance, there is the ceremony in which, the monks are blessing the couple. Furthermore, there are ceremonies in which the guests tie a red yarn (blessed with water by the monks) on the couple's arm. Not only that, but the most emotional ceremony of the day would be when the bride and groom's parents take a moment to let go of their child and send them off with their beloved ones. Khmer weddings are very exact and detailed. That is why the ceremonies are spread out over a duration of two-three days. My parents, however find it overly exhausting to have weddings last that long so the first day consist of the most important ceremonies, while the second day would be the reception. The day of the reception is just as hectic as the day of the ceremonies. Both my brother and sister had over five hundred guests show up at the Hong Kong Restaurant. It was really hard to get them all seated, but overall I could say both of the weddings were successful.

I've never had greater memories than the ones that I have made at my brother's and sister's weddings. The parties didn't end until the morning. The food was absolutely delicious. Not only that, but all of my family from Canada, Texas, North Carolina, etc. come together to share these special moments. I can't express the happiness I feel to see my siblings walk down the aisle with the people they love and I love as well. Each time a wedding ended, I get so sick and always lose my voice, but I don't care because I love weddings. No worries though! I am in no rush to be having a wedding of my own!