Wedding Rituals 101

The whole 3 day event was soooo overwhelming for me - not only witnessing, but being a part of my very first Chinese Wedding... which is weird having grown up in San Francisco where many of my Chinese friends did marry -- but alas, Western style so it did not prepare me for what was to come....

Nothing so earth shattering though, it was just one ritual after another -- and for a while there, it seemed like it was never ending... amd from talking with the Bride and Groom in between it all, they too, could not wait for the whole thing to be over with...

Wondering how I was going to BLOG this - not wanting for it too be as long as the wedding itself, I thought, the BEST way was to just do the PHOTO ESSAY for the events... so pls follow each links to the various albums - uploaded sequentially and here;'s hoping you will feel that you were witnessing it all in person - just as I was for the first time...
WEDDING ALBUM #1
The Groom arrives in Kaohsiung to take the Bride from her parents' home to his home in Nantou. The Groom offers his gifts to the parents, the parents give their blessing and dowry to the Bride & Groom...

WEDDING ALBUM #2
The Bride arrives in Nantou, the Groom's home... is welcomed by the Groom's family with some rituals, offerings, and blessings... The ACTUAL WEDDING and EXCHANGING of VOWS takes place...

WEDDING ALBUM #3
A Couple of Hours Break - spent at the Nantou Museum for a bit of relaxation and Photo Shooting.

WEDDING ALBUM #4
Reception Dinner in Nantou - given by the Groom''s family, and attended mostly by the Groom's family and friends...

WEDDING ALBUM #5
Back In Kaohsiung for the BIG EVENT, given by the Bride's family. Over 400 guests, mostly the Bride's family and friends -- the party is almost a whole day's event.