Cambodian weddings have a long tradition and consist not only of traditional customs but also of a Buddhist ceremony as part of the event. Traditional Cambodian weddings can last up to 7 days, but we usually combine small ceremonies and shorten them into a 2-day ceremony at the bride’s home.
Although some people perform the traditional ceremony at the banquet hall for convenience, the concept remains the same.
Outfits
There are multiple outfit changes for both the bride and groom throughout the ceremony, and they always coordinate the colors. The primary colors include gold and silver, with additional colors depending on personal preference. Throughout the events, the bride and groom have chosen a variety of outfits with multiple colors in advance. The outfits and hairstyles are changed between each part of the ceremony. On the reception night, the bride, groom, and the bridal party typically wear traditional outfits to greet the guests, changing into white dresses and suits for the reception entrance.
Guests typically wear colorful outfits, and females avoid wearing black. Morning attire for females usually consists of tailor-made silk skirts paired with sparkling lace tops. Evening wear includes colorful nightgowns or two-piece ensembles featuring long silk skirts and matching lace tops. Men usually opt for suits or silk button-up tops with black pants.
Preparation
The Cambodian traditional wedding is at the bride’s house. This is to symbolize that the groom’s family come to the bride’s family to get permission as well as to pay respect for the bride’s family. In order to fit many guests, we usually install tents extending from the entrance door to the street. However, for modern day while many are doing it at the Bride house, some prefer to do it at the banquet hall for convenience while all the traditions are still the same. Preparations required teams of relatives, helpers, and event planners to work together including preparing agenda, dowry items, music, outfits and makeup, MC, and the list goes on. We also choose one close family member to walk the bride and one to walk the groom throughout the whole ceremony. Here is my personal experience:
Day 1:
Krong Poli – Asking Permission from the Land
It lasts only half a day, occurring in the afternoon and followed by a smaller family dinner. Typically held at the bride’s house, the event is reserved for close family and friends who attended.
Cambodians are deeply spiritual, and we consistently show respect for the land and the spirits surrounding us. Prior to significant events like religious ceremonies or weddings, we typically commence with the Krong Poli ceremony. Various foods, including but not limited to rice, grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits, are offered to seek permission from the spirits of the land for conducting ceremonies. The chanting begins with the Master of Ceremony (MC).
Day 1: Monk Blessing
Following the first ceremony, the monk chanting marks the final event of the first day. This inclusive ceremony welcomes participants of all religions, and everyone is encouraged to join, even if my partner is not a Buddhist.
Day 2
Dowry Parade
Day 2 is a full day and the main day of the wedding ceremony. It started as early as 7 am in the morning until reception night.
This is the first ceremony for the day and starts as early as 7 or 8 am in the morning when the groom and family walk with the dowry to present to the bride’s family. The dowry presented including treys of fruits, vegetables, meats, drinks, pastries, and desserts are given in pairs, symbolized favors from the groom’s family and to pay respect to the bride’s family. The parade is usually a mix of the bride and groom’s family but only to symbolize the groom’s family.
The dowry items are prepared and ready the night before. Guests usually arrive early to prepare for the dowry walk. The walk is usually 5-10mn long and along with the guests, the groom and the parents lead the walk at the front. Once arrived, the bride’s parents will come and greet the groom, his parents, and everyone from the door. Then, the bride makes an entrance and is walked by a designated family member, usually a close aunt, to greet the groom and lead the rest of the guests entering the house.
Ring Ceremony
Ring ceremony is when the bride and groom exchange the rings. The bride and groom made a new entrance and walked by their designated family member.
Outfit and hair makeup change in every ceremony that match between the bride and the groom. There is a short break to allow the bride and groom to change their outfits and prepare a slightly different scene for each event.
Hair Cutting Ceremony
Marriage is a big chapter in lives and a transformation from being single to living the lives of two. Hair cutting ceremony represents the changes and transformation of the bride and groom. While it is called a hair cutting ceremony, the hair is not actually cut as it’s only to symbolize the grooming and preparing for the change. The scene of the wedding changed from sitting on the carpet to sitting on the chairs along with the bridal parties on both sides.
The ceremony typically begins with two MCs delivering a brief comedy talk before the hair cuttings take place. The order of the ceremony prioritizes the parents of the bride and groom, followed by grandparents and guests. During the ceremony, participants simulate cutting the bride and groom’s hair, spray perfume, and extend their wishes.
Knot Tying Ceremony
After the outfit change, the groom traditionally makes the first entrance before the bride. The Knot Tying Ceremony, the final Khmer ritual of the wedding, typically concludes around noon. Preceding this ceremony is the Flame Passing Ceremony, exclusive to married guests seated in a circle. Guided by the MC’s instructions and chanting, the sacred flame circulates seven times. The sacred flame and its smoke symbolize protection for the bride and groom, warding off evil and bringing blessings and luck.
String or knot tying ceremony is performed sequentially by parents, and followed by grandparents and guests in couples. The guests usually, but not always, give gifts such as jewelry or envelopes of money during this time, or wait until reception. Along with the knot tying, they give blessings to the newly couple. At the end, guests throw the white petal flowers to the bride and groom and the MC officially announce the newly wedded couple. The newly wedded usually keep the string tied for 3 days and cut by someone special in the family such as grandparents.
Reception Night
The bride and groom typically welcome guests at the entrance adorned in traditional outfits and later change into a white dress and suit for their grand entrance.
