Early morning at the groom's house. The groom, Chi Cheng, is on the right. The older man is someone well-versed in wedding traditions who would spend the day guiding the couple through the rituals they had to perform, a kind of MC if you will.
Leaving for the bride's house, about 30 minutes away.
Arriving at the bride's house in an entourage of cars, mainly to impress than for any practical purpose.
While the bride is putting final touches on her preparations upstairs, Chi Cheng waits downstairs.
The flower girl with the red envelope given to her by the bride's family.
Checking how much money she got!
Finally Chi Cheng sees his bride, Ji Ting, upstairs in her preparation room and presents her with her wedding bouquet.
Making their way back downstairs.
Paying their respects to the parents of the bride.
A bitter-sweet moment for Ji Ting as she bids farewell to her parents and her home.
The MC on the left does all the talking during this farewell ceremony, expressing in heart-felt and emotional tones the greatness and virtues of Ji Ting's parents who have raised such an honourable and virtuous daughter.
Outside the home Chi Cheng unveils and claims his bride from her parents.
Ji Ting's family - father and mother (seated), brother (behind father), sisters and brother-in-law. In the front are the flower girl and the groom's boy.
As the couple leaves, Ji Ting drops a hand fan out the car window to symbolize her leaving behind her parental home. Unfortunately, I missed the shot of this!
Bamboo is tied to the top of the car to wish the couple luck as they leave.
Dion Marc Delport
8 April 2007