Wedding Bells

No wedding in the Northen family, but this is Awee, the cook for the teachers at the WEI house. We missed her wedding, but about fifteen of the house and ship workers were able to attend and sent this picture to us. Her brother, Sokun, works as the ship's night guard. The Khmer tradition is to give the couple a monetary gift in the envelope that the wedding invitation was sent. There are no bridal showers and no gifts given. We were able to give Awee our gift before we left. If we had gone to the wedding, there would have been a time when you would go up to the bride and groom and give them the envelope. The money is to help pay for the activities. Depending on how extravagant the meal is, the money helps with that cost and also the seven different dresses that the bride changes into during the course of the ceremony. There is really not a "vow" ceremony or anything like we have. The Buddha priest does do some chanting but everything is just with the immediate family while the guests are at tables eating or visiting. It is a very casual atmosphere and people come and go.