Wedding Celebration, Singapore

Day 8

A wonderful, happy day. #2 and Ch were married in Scotland last September. The family in Singapore organised today's celebration, when more than 200 of their family and friends attended. Very special that my sister and husband are with us too.

We began the day with the ladies at the hair salon and the gents decorating the wedding car. An Italian lunch, then dresses and kilts on, and off we went to a big hotel on Orchard Road.

Red and white decorations, fresh rose petals everywhere. There was a Tea Ceremony first, when the Grandparents dressed the Bride in her wedding jewellery.

The Bride and Groom then appeared through a haze of floating bubbles and confetti canons. They cut the cake, and then has to blow sand off a message wishing them health and happiness.

An eight course banquet. Since being a little girl, Ch had wanted to have seafood in every course of her wedding dinner, and apart from pudding, that is what we had. A delicious feast. After course 4, the Bride and Groom left, and the Bride re-appeared in a beautiful long, red dress. It is a local custom that the Bride changes half way through the dinner.

There were several speeches and video shows. We gave a speech, which included Jimmy Hats, and sang two songs. We changed the words of "Marie's Wedding" to "Ch's wedding", and has the assembled crowd singing the chorus. We also sang "My Love is like a red red rose".

Champagne pouring and three Yam Seng cheers. The whole event had two MCs, one speaking English and one Mandarin.

At the end the hotel staff sang a song to the couple, and the words were written in mandarin in squid's ink on a large plate. I shall be sending this to "The London Branch" for translation.

We feel so warmly welcomed into the family, a very special day.