Got invited to our PT's wedding banquet. So off we went. Only 120 people or so... But man, people smoked up a storm there. The unfiltered type. The meal was excellent! 5 small plates of appetizers - beef ribs, cucumbers, tofu, pig knuckles, marinated fish and drunken chicken. The main courses composed of shark fin soup, duck, two dishes of veggies with abalone slices, steamed fish, plain veggies, lobsters, crabs followed by stir-fried noodles and sweet red bean soup. Wine was plentiful. Red, just like the PT like it.
The banquet included different ceremonies. First, the bride and groom came thru the door and re-enacted the proposal. Then the MC asked the groom if he was ready. After that, the couple and the parents stood on stage giving some speech. The PT's mother spoke only Shanghainese. Couldn't speak that much Mandarin. Afterward, poured wine on a glass pyramid. Bubble machine made lots of bubbles. So strong was the blowing that the candle used to light the candles by the newly wed kept blown out. O yeah, exchange of rings. Quick and simple. Then the flowers the bride was holding, rather than throwing to a crowd of single women, the bride took the flower to this guy. Then he and his GF were on stage. The MC urged them to get married soon. This guy just knelt down and proposed. Staged or impromptu, have to find out next week.
The bride changed 3 times last night. On her second dress, the newly wed came into the banquet hall again with the wedding cut. We were still eating.... Cake was cut. And a big piece was placed on each table. "Dive in" people! I tried it; actually better than our carrot cake in Maui! Bummer for us! ;-)
At the end of the food and all the ceremonies, the MC announced to the hall the room number of the newly wed. Chinese tradition, people can get to the room and made "fun" of them. Considered the bride is 3 month pregnant, not a good idea! Drinking is also part of the Chinese wedding. And boy, really drink. The PT had to drink a pitcher of a combo of "coca cola, red wine and beer". His brother was suppose to drink on his behalf. But I believed he had drunken too much earlier on the groom's behalf.
We left early... By the time we came home, my nostril burned with unfiltered cigarette. Despite the cold, my clothes never touched the bedroom... I was butt naked straight into the shower.
Too much red wine, I was out pretty early only to be awaken by a SMS from Vancouver. My dad. He arrived at YVR on transit. Just wanted to let me know how much changes the airport has become. Yes, dad I knew that from my November trip.
*Note: Chinese wedding, normally the couple got their certificates about a year before the wedding banquet is to be held. So, they are legally married in the eyes of the law.
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