What do you do when your neighbour in a foreign country invites you to a wedding conveniently held at the end of your driveway that very night? You go of course.
Frenzied we attempted to figure out our combined wardrobe options. Nothing quite right for a wedding we opted for respectful. After we had scrounged together our best we jumped on the back of scooters and made the short trip down the drive.
The road had been converted into a wedding venue. A giant marquee filled with tables, people, a stage and one gigantic cake had taken over.
The whole town had been invited and very quickly we learnt that we were lucky.
Just like western weddings have their traditions and omens of good luck, having foreigners at weddings in Cambodia – according to a table of old Cambodian men – is lucky.
When things got silly… a bridezilla’s worst nightmare – cans of silly string and party poppers aimed directly at her, her new husband and her wedding cake! After circling the cake the bride and groom said a prayer, thanked their parents before the chaos unfolded. At not one moment did the brides face change from a wide toothy grin, loving every moment of the celebration.It’s not a party without a light show. Sparklers came out of everywhere, the source, everyone who came prepared aka the Cambodian constituent of the party who happily shared out their party goods amongst the travellers attending the wedding. No one wanted us to miss out on a thing, tables were cleared, seats pulled out and meals served on arrival then it was time to dance.To this day I don’t know what it was about me that captivated these kids, but instantly they grabbed me and beckoned me to dance with them. Their bright youthful eyes filled with joy as I consented and joined in on the fun. For hours they followed me around, seeking me out until it was late in the night and they disappeared home to bed.What have I learnt about Cambodian weddings? They are filled with joy and happiness. There was no hint of drama or exclusion, with people from all walks of life welcomed into the event. The bride and groom, bridal party and guests embraced every person who happened to be passing through town. This little girl was the star of the party and her infectious smile was shared by everyone.
