The tradition restricts the bride and groom from meeting each other the day before marriage and for us, it was mission impossible so we met anyway - had to get the still pending items like decorating the bridal car, finalizing the ang paus, collecting the bouquet and other miscellaneous stuff done - once and for all.
But, as a sign of respect to this long time tradition, we limit our meet-each-other session to only half a day - the rest was spent preparing our houses for THE BIG FEAST, busy, busy, oh so busy.
Is the big feast part of the tradition I don't know because to me it looks more like a local culture possibly introduced by people in catering businesses - relatives and friends were invited over for makan and nothing else. Just, makan, chit-chat, drink, makan, more chit-chat, drink again and then makan summore.
Typically chinese to the roots.
Sis, CL and a few of my aunts were here early to 'decorate' the house - with balloons, ribbons and all stuff - really have to salute them for having such patience and level of enthusiasm for all this - I think they kinda expected me to throw in similar effort for them next time, no matter the type of celebration.
Instead of getting ample rest like every groom should - I was running around on errands ala office boy CIS CIS CIS right until the very last minute.
And that was not the end, being the host, I am automatically assigned with the responsibility to layan the guests - then only get to makan around 9 something and I didn't even had the chance to have a bite on my favourite Ice Kacang, woe is so me.
Hence, dessert = cans of beer, no thanks to my college mates.
After the above still had to take a bath of water filled with pamelo leaves then don myself in long sleeves and pants of white in colour in the heat of Malaysian weather, wait till midnight then pray and have my hair combed during which auspicious words such as happiness till old age, many children and all that.
Yeah, I myself never knew that a groom had to go through this hair-combing ceremony until then - all this while I thought this was a girl thing.
And FINALLY after a bowl of tang yuen (a must) and chasing all the college mates away - I was able to call it a day and get some well deserved rest. It did take a while to fall asleep due to nervousness coupled with a pounding heart but I guess the tiredness kicked in soon after.
Anxiety almost killed the great jed.
But, as a sign of respect to this long time tradition, we limit our meet-each-other session to only half a day - the rest was spent preparing our houses for THE BIG FEAST, busy, busy, oh so busy.
Is the big feast part of the tradition I don't know because to me it looks more like a local culture possibly introduced by people in catering businesses - relatives and friends were invited over for makan and nothing else. Just, makan, chit-chat, drink, makan, more chit-chat, drink again and then makan summore.
Typically chinese to the roots.
Sis, CL and a few of my aunts were here early to 'decorate' the house - with balloons, ribbons and all stuff - really have to salute them for having such patience and level of enthusiasm for all this - I think they kinda expected me to throw in similar effort for them next time, no matter the type of celebration.
Instead of getting ample rest like every groom should - I was running around on errands ala office boy CIS CIS CIS right until the very last minute.
And that was not the end, being the host, I am automatically assigned with the responsibility to layan the guests - then only get to makan around 9 something and I didn't even had the chance to have a bite on my favourite Ice Kacang, woe is so me.
Hence, dessert = cans of beer, no thanks to my college mates.
After the above still had to take a bath of water filled with pamelo leaves then don myself in long sleeves and pants of white in colour in the heat of Malaysian weather, wait till midnight then pray and have my hair combed during which auspicious words such as happiness till old age, many children and all that.
Yeah, I myself never knew that a groom had to go through this hair-combing ceremony until then - all this while I thought this was a girl thing.
And FINALLY after a bowl of tang yuen (a must) and chasing all the college mates away - I was able to call it a day and get some well deserved rest. It did take a while to fall asleep due to nervousness coupled with a pounding heart but I guess the tiredness kicked in soon after.
Anxiety almost killed the great jed.
Family, relatives and friends in this picture.
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