OUR WEDDING DAY

GERMAINE & ANTONIO
12 Jan 2008
After about a year & a half since we registered our marriage, we finally held our Chinese customary wedding. In Chinese culture, a marriage is not recognised until a tea ceremony is held. For our friends who are not familiar with this tradition, a tea ceremony is held on the wedding day, during which the newlyweds offer tea to their elders and receive blessings and gifts in return so as to start their new journey in life together.

Here are some photos of the day:

 
Waiting for Antonio to arrive


With the bridesmaids


The bridal car


Antonio arrives and Benjamin opens the bridal car door. In Chinese custom, the bride's younger brother plays a very important role. He is to open the bridal car door for the groom and he will have to pass the groom 2 oranges which are to be left in the bridal car as a significance of good fortune to the couple. The groom will then give a red packet to him for good luck.




When the groom arrives at the bride's house, he will have to go through some 'obstacles' planned by the bridesmaids. This is to show his sincerity and his perseverance to the bride. By doing so, he will also have to give a big red packet to the bridesmaids as a form of bribery, so that they will let him off easily. And usually the obstacles that the groom will have to go through depends on the amount of money in the red packet.




Finally Antonio managed to overcome the obstacles and the bridesmaids were all happy that they got a big red packet.


Germaine & Antonio


The newlyweds leave the bride's house and will usually proceed to the groom's house for a tea ceremony. The couple will then return to the bride's house for another tea ceremony. Traditionally, the couple will return to the bride's house on the 3rd day after the wedding, but in modern day everything is done on the same day.

So since Antonio's family were not able to come to Singapore, we went for a short car ride around the house and came back for the tea ceremony immediately.






In Cantonese custom, the groom will have to present a roasted suckling pig to the bride's family together with a basket full of oranges and sweets.

Tea Ceremony


DINNER RECEPTION @ SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, WATERFALL TERRACE






Little angels at the wedding


Champagne pouring & toasting


My mum in her elegant cheongsam


744 Family


Tan Family


Uni Friends


After a long day, all tired and ready to go to bed for a good night's rest.