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Actually, she and her husband had been officially married for about three months. This was the official ceremony for family and friends. Enliven had decided to have a traditional ceremony and even claimed she had decided this to give us foreigners a bit of Chinese culture. Knowing her, I would not doubt that she had set this thing up for our benefit as well as her family's. It was greatly appreciated by all of us foreigners!
We were told to meet the husband's people at the China Bank building at 1000 so Sunee and I were getting ready when I heard Chinese music coming our way. I immediately ran outside on the balcony and saw a troop of musicians, flag bearers and the husband being carried down the hill. The time was 0917. Sunee and I hurried and finished getting ready. As we were just about to leave, the marriage procession was coming back up the hill. We ran out and followed them back up the hill. The parade made a right turn across from the China Bank building and stopped in front of an apartment building. It seems the groom had been carried down the hill to pick up his bride and was now they were being deposited into their new home. She was carried into the apartment complex by the groom. I talked with Tom and found out the whole thing had started an hour early but we had not really missed anything.
The wedding starts almost without us. The troopers are headed down the hill to pick up the bride.
Half an hour and the bride and groom come back out, mount up (bride in sedan chair and husband in an open chair carried by four to six red dressed bearers) and we head off toward the Emei Hotsprings Hotel. Fortunately, Sunee and I caught a ride over to the hotel. It would be another forty minutes or so before the procession would arrive to the hotel, so we make ourselves comfortable with some Emei Mountain green tea.
Back up the hill to the couple's apartment.
Flag bearers.
Tom poses with two of his students who were among the troopers in the wedding procession.
A large group of musicians, carriers and flag bearers made up the procession.
The beautiful (and now empty) sedan chair for the bride.
One of the musicians with his sheng. This is supposed to be the father of the modern harmonica. I plan to get one before we leave China.
Time to head out to the hotel. Here the bride leaves the apartment.
Of course, the groom also gets to be carried to the hotel along with his bride.
Outside the Emei Hotsprings Hotel
As we sat in the lounge, we met the new couples family. Ms. Enliven's father was especially interesting as he was a noted "qi gong" practitioner. We asked him a few questions and then for the next half hour or so, listened to him as he explained what "qi gong" was all about. One could not help but really like this gentleman from Beijing.
Ms. Enliven's mother and father visit with us as we wait for the wedding procession to arrive.
A famous "qi gong" expert, Ms. Enliven's gladly shared his knowledge with us as we waited in comfort
At around 1130, the wedding procession arrived and we ran out to get some pictures. We were now very familiar with Chinese weddings as we were given candies and offered cigarettes. The groom and bride officially enter the hotel then disappear into the back, preparing for the upcoming events of ceremony and banquet. We returned to our lounge and Ms. Enliven's father continued to tell us about "qi gong." He impressed both Sunee and I greatly.
At around noon, we were all called into the banquet room so the ceremony could begin. The afternoon was spent watching a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony and eating some really great dishes. It was a very rewarding afternoon and very beautiful.
The troopers arrive with the bride and groom on their backs. It took about 45 minutes for them to make the trip from the China Bank building to the hotel.
The groom is first delivered to the door of the hotel
Then the bride is united with her groom and they both enter the hotel
After the bride and groom arrive we still had a few minutes before the ceremony so I had this picture taken with the hard-working troopers.
The ceremony started at around noon or a little after. One of the first things I noticed was this apple on the floor leading up to the platform.
Also we saw this wood burning box aflame a few meters behind the apple. Seems this has a symbolic meaning which I must remember to look up. Dean Jiang tried to explain it but I really did not understand.
The bride awaits his her sedan chair. She waited quite awhile for the ceremony to start.
As we waited for things to start, our tables were full of great looking appetizers for our enjoyment. Here we have some spicy green beans.
The appetizers on the lazy susan ready for tasting.
Nice sliced pieces of beef.
This turned out to be some spicy fish slivers. I did not care for them as they had too many small bones.
Pickled radishes made into a beautiful flower. They were as good as they looked.
Plainly sliced cucumbers (I think) in a really hot but subtle sauce. These were great.
The ceremony starts and the bride is helped out of here sedan chair and guided up to join her waiting groom. Notice her face is completely covered. Very traditional.
The bride and groom as the ceremony starts.
Eventually the groom lifts the veil to reveal the lovely bride and they take a seat before the audience.
A lot of stuff goes on during this very long ceremony. Here the couple kneels in respect of their in-laws and eventually offer them tea.
A group shot of the foreigners with Ms. Enliven's parents and, of course, her husband.
The beautiful bride near the end of the ceremony. Hundreds of pictures were taken of various friends and relations.
Never mess with a Chinese bride!
All things must come to an end. Here two little Chinese girls bid us farewell.
Actually we went upstairs to play some mahjong. Since neither Sunee nor I really understand the game, it did not take us long to give up on it. Soon, very soon we will get serious and learn to play.
