Cambodian Wedding - Part 3

If you are just now joining us, be sure to first either scroll down or click the following to check out the previous parts if you are interested in explanations of each part of the (Americanized) Cambodian/Khmer wedding ceremony and the significance behind it.

Part I | Part II

So, on to the third outfit change and Part III of the Ceremony. First, some details of the new attire:

Gaat Sah (Cleansing Ceremony)

Before marriage, the bride and groom must be properly prepared through an elaborate cleansing ceremony. The singers, representing visiting devada (deities who watch over the mortal realms), dance around the bride and groom. Their songs represent their enchantment with the beauty of the new couple, and they agree to personally cleanse and purify them to bring them good fortune, beauty, and grace for the rest of their lives.

The devada cuts the couple’s hair and shaves the groom, throwing away any misfortune. At the end of this ceremony, the visiting devada return to the realm of tansuor, the home of the gods and deceased ancestors.

Family and friends may take turns symbolically cutting the couple’s hair, representing a fresh start to their new relationship together as husband and wife.

\ Love. :)



Thanks again, Pure by Lindsey for these amazing images and for using your posts!

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Entertaining Tips: Planning

New Rule!

When planning a party for let's say, a neighborhood get together, don't feel like you need to do all of the work. Ask your neighbors to bring something.

For instance last weekend we had a neighborhood Happy Hour, everyone brought their favorite Mock or Cocktail, and we just all hung out and got to know each other.

The kids played, and the adults "played" too! Some people brought snacks and we all made new friends.

Now that's the way to throw a party!

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Cambodian Wedding - Part 2

If you are just joining us: go down to the previous post where Lindsey explained Lisa and Edgar's Cambodian / Khmer Wedding Ceremony.



This part has a lot less explanation and mainly just some hot eye candy.

Soat Mun (Monk Blessings)

Traditionally, three to five monks or as many as seven will invoke blessings which have been specifically chosen for the couple by the monks.

Thanks Lindsey for letting me borrow your posts, and remember there is SO much more on Pure by Lindsey's blog!

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Lisa and Ed's Amazing Cambodian Wedding

Lisa and Ed had beautiful Cambodian Wedding, and an American Wedding all in the same day! It started at 5AM and ended well after midnight. It was an exhausting, but incredibly amazing day! Filled with tons of love and laughter!



Lindsey from Pure by Lindsey was there the entire time documenting this beautiful and colorful event! So, I stole some of the event from her blog (with her permission of course)... there is more on her blog, so please check it out! I didn't want post her entire post, it wouldn't give you an excuse to see more!





What I would like to do since this was my first Cambodian wedding Ceremony is to explain each part with the photos, piece by piece. Lisa made a gorgeous fan booklet explaining the parts and background, and I am using that as well as what guests have told me to recall so all of my blog readers, who I expect to be as enthralled as I was, to enjoy the symbolism as well. This is Part I of ??? many (hehe). I'll find out as we go, but there are four outfit changes in the Cambodian Ceremony alone, and then they have an equally worthy American wedding the same day to blog about. First, The Origins of Khmer Wedding (italics will indicate parts from Lisa's booklet): Khmer weddings symbolize the legend of the origin of Cambodia and parallels the marriage of the first Khmer prince, Preah Thong, to the naga princess, Neang Neak. The prince was a foreigner exiled from his homeland, and during his travels encountered and fell in love with the naga princess. As a marriage gift, the father of the naga princess swallowed a part of the ocean, and thus formed the land of Cambodia. Because of this background, throughout the day everyone commented how they looked like a prince and princess, and they are adorned with golden jewelry and treated that way all day long. ^--- also my first barefoot ceremony! I actually quite enjoyed walking around barefoot and comfortable in their home!

The Preparation:

The clothing was amazing. Not only is is made of gorgeous and colorful silks, but much of it is made through simple and skilled folding of the cloth into origami-like shapes. You can see that here, and it was just so stunning on her!

Hai Goan Gomlah (Groom's Processional)

At the beginning of the day, the bride usually waits at her parents' house while the groom gathers a procession of his family and friends. The procession symbolizes the journey of the prince to meet his bride the princess. The groom's procession approaches the bride's home bearing platters of gifts, usually fruits and desserts, and is led by a band of musicians and singers.

Traditionally, the mai ba (a well-respected member of the bride's family who serves as a representative) comes out to greet the procession. The various fruits and desserts are counted - the more, the better. If found to be satisfactory, the mai ba and ma ha (representative for the groom's party) run through a humorous verbal parlay which ends with the groom and the rest of the procession being invited into the bride's home.

The groom presents the bride with a bouquet and after introductions are made, they exchange rings.

Below, the groom leads his family and many guests out down the street to then travel back symbolically traveling from afar to meet his bride, complete with gifts.

I love the joy. :)

The ring exchange:

Remember there is more on Lindsey's Blog! Check it out!

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