Cambodian Wedding

It’s an honor to be invited to a friend’s wedding… but when that wedding is in another country, with completely different traditions, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.  This invite was to a Cambodian wedding.  The festivities took place on the bride’s family’s land around their house in a small village less than an hour outside Siem Reap.

A Cambodian wedding consist of many different ceremonies, each requiring different gorgeous garments for the bride and groom.  Weddings traditionally take place over 3 days.  This wedding was condensed a bit, spanning 1 1/2 days.

The first ceremony of the day started with the guests carrying fruit and other food on beautiful platters for the bride’s family.  We followed a few men playing instruments and the groom carrying flowers.   Then there were speeches by two women… but they were all in Khmer, so I didn’t understand any of it. After this, the bride and bridesmaids enter and bow repeatedly to the parents and then all the guests.

 

Next up was the most confusing and entertaining ceremony.  This tall, skinny man in a bright pink outfit and mime makeup walks out and spoke via a microphone to the crowd. It appears to be some sort of roast… and I believe all us Americans, sweating in the humid heat are the punchline for a good bit of it.  He speaks only in Khmer.. so none of us have any idea what is being said.  But it appears to be quite funny, as all the Khmer guests are laughing heartily.  A young woman joins him and they asked one bridesmaid and one groomsmen a few questions.  Then another man and woman try to teach them some Cambodian dancing. (The entire wedding party is American, only the bride is originally from Cambodia at this wedding).

The hair cutting ceremony provides an opportunity for all the close friends and family to participate.  Cutting of the hair represents a fresh start to their new life together. We all go up in groups of 2 and pretend to cut their hair, show them a mirror, spritz some perfume, and sprinkle some water on their heads. All while being photographed.  Originally this ceremony actually did cut the couple’s hair, lucky for them we do not.

For the blessing ceremony, the bridal couple sit on the floor facing a group of local monks.  Buddhist women dressed in white from the village sit on the ground behind them and join in chanting blessings.

The pairing ceremony starts with the bride, groom, and their family sitting in a circle around a pig’s head.  Some food and part of the pig are put into dishes along with candles.  After prayers are said and symbols clashed,  flowers are thrown over the new couple multiple times.  Family and friends next tie blessing strings on the bride and groom’s wrists.

 

The reception is when everyone gets to let loose.  Food that the women of the local family and friends have endlessly been cooking is served along with plenty of Cambodian beer.  A circular table is put out and the guests joyfully dance. Khmer dancing involves flowing arm movements while proceeding in a circle around the table. I’m sure that our feet are suppose to be moving in a certain way… but that is way above my abilities.  I just try to copy the hand/arm movements unsuccessfully.

I am invited to join a group from the village to drink beer at their table.  I thankfully learned (kind of) how to say cheers “Jol Mouy” which we say frequently while drinking our beer in glasses with ice. In the hot climate, ice is frequently added to the beer here, and it goes down fast.  So if you are drinking in Cambodia.. be careful and maybe add extra ice.  Not only will it help cool you down, it will hopefully help stop you from stumbling away from the table.

The bride and groom haven’t modeled enough wedding gear yet.  They have a few more costume changes during the reception.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since this was a wedding of mixed cultures, they also had a western wedding ceremony and end the reception in those clothes.  They cut the cake, smeared it on each other, are blasted with silly string and confetti, and dance.

A few notes to consider before accepting your invite to a Cambodian wedding.

• It’s going to be HOT…. and HUMID.  You need to be prepared for this. You will be nonstop sweating and constantly looking for shade.  Consider if you will be able to deal with the heat and not get too cranky.
• The ceremonies are long, many took 1-2 hours.  While it’s awesome to get a picture of yourself taking part in the ceremony… remember that everyone there is likely getting their picture as well.  This takes a while… a long while.  And I didn’t even list all the ceremonies.
• If you are in the wedding: You will have long days and a million pictures taken of you.
• If it is taking place outside of a touristy town/city… you may have to rough it a bit.  We all have different ideas of what roughing it is.  Ask for some info and consider if you are up for whatever will be provided. We managed to have a guesthouse that actually had air conditioned rooms.  Don’t assume that will be your case and don’t expect western standards.  You may have a bathroom with the shower head right next to the toilet… or you may be taking bucket showers. Get the information you need to be prepared.  Or just be ready to roll with anything.
• Most importantly:  Appreciate this unique glimpse into another culture!