The bride gets married at home. A group of guys come and pitch a massive gazebo outside the house. It usually blocks three quarters of the road but the Khmers don't seem to mind at all. A wedding in the street is a wonderful event.
The street in Phnom Penh the day after the wedding, as if it never happened.
The monks arrived late in the afternoon on the eve of the wedding. The lounge room was decorated beautifully, with the bride and groom's name on the wall. The bride made at least fifteen outfit changes during the two day event. All of the outfits are rented and she has a ball playing dress-ups, with a hair, make-up and dressing team standing by.
The wedding started at the crack of dawn the next day, with all the guests dressed to the nines with perfect hair and make up, by 8am!
We walked down the street a little way and then walked back up the street, past the bridal entourage of bride, groom and three bridesmaids and groomsmen with a flower girl, carrying baskets of fruit, tea and other offerings. These were taken inside the house and offered to the bride's parents.
The day continued with several ceremonies, each more colourful than the last and each with a new bridal outfit. We took a break in the afternoon and then went into town for the reception. The street was full of wedding receptions, we counted at least ten in our street. This was our reception.
And this is the kitchen underneath the venue. And no, I didn't even get a hint of the Cambo Craps!
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