Yesterday I went to my first Khmer Wedding in the Province. Because it was a Christian wedding, it wasn’t that unusual. The Buddhist traditional weddings have a lot more customs that I would not be used to, but it was still different and beautiful. I am so so so blessed to have been a part of these friends’ special day!
The beautiful Cambodian countryside as we rode from Phnom Penh to the province, Kampong Spue.
Kunthea and I thought it would be fun to take a picture of the three of us that went . . . but Som Nang was sleeping! Made for an even better picture!
In the van- the type of public transport we were riding in, it is custom to sit and wait until the whole van is full before leaving. . . can be a frustrating thing if you’re trying to hold tightly to a timeline. So as we waited for an hour near the Kampong Spue market, we decided we should eat lunch. Two bbq chicken kabobs, 4 bags of rice, 2 bags of chili spices, one fresh coconut and one bottle of water- all for $1.89! This equals full tummy and full wallet!
When we finally got on our way, it wasn’t long until we arrived at Som Nang’s house in Kampong Spue. There we changed our clothes after the long, hot van ride. At his house we also met our friends Srey Adtet and Bona! This is me, Kunthea and Srey Adtet; the three of us girls rode in Som Nang’s father’s truck to the wedding. Bona followed behind us on a moto!
Our beautiful friend and bride, Srey Nek!
From L to R: Kunthea, Som Nang, Srey Adtet, Srey Nek, me, Som At.
At the alter.
Kneeling as the pastor of their church and one foreign pastor pray and bless their union.
Some of the community pastors in Kampong Spue province praying over the couple.
Announced husband and wife! No kissing the bride though!
It is custom after they are presented for them to stay standing at the front. First, we all threw a type of seed at them for “good luck”, I guess, then people come up one by one to put money in their hands, pray and bless them. It was my turn.
The new husband and wife, best lady and best man, and their parents!
Traditional Khmer instruments playing wedding music! So beautiful!
This is the view from the door of the church! The countryside of Cambodia is breathtakingly gorgeous!
As we were leaving the wedding, a children’s ministry asked if we could give some of their kids a ride home too, so we said sure and they all piled into the back of Som Nang’s truck!
Once we got back to Som Nang’s house, we changed our clothes again for the journey back. We stood by the side of the road until an air-conditioned bus passed by our way. It was $2.50 to ride on the bus instead of the stuffy little van. . . . A much better way to travel if you ask me. Som Nang, Kunthea, and I put our headphones in and slept the whole 2 hours back to Phnom Penh!
