Saturday, 17th June - the main event was the dinner that night at Midlands Court Chinese Restaurant. Jo & I arrived early that night to get things sorted out and as the guests trickled in, I was busy snapping away, going about my allocated task of photo taking for the night. Dinner was sumptious and the food quality commendable. Everyone had a great time, although some teasing between friends ahead of next morning's tea ceremony events caused some ripples. All in all, we had fun and even the bride's father's "shortened" speech (which lasted a good 10 minutes anyway!) was well received.
As the last few guests finally left, some of us decided to gather at Coffee Bean Bellisa Row to discuss plans for the next morning's tea ceremony. When Yan comes a-calling for his bride, it is traditional for her friends to make up tasks for him and his entourage to perform - thus making him "work" for the right to get his bride's hand. We planned out four (4) tasks and Stacy had set out her script for the event. My job was to get home that night and prepare the final task on PowerPoint presentation. By the time I got to bed it was nearly 3.00 a.m. I was looking forward to the next morning's festivities.
The beaming bride arriving...
Listening intently to the father of the bride...
Pretty oriental ladies in a row...
Sunday, 18th June - it was an early start for us as we arrived at Sue Khoon's place around 8.30 a.m. The required attendees - i.e. family members and other tea drinkers - began arriving and the signal was sent to Yan to start on his journey to pick up his bride. As the groom's entourage arrived, the girls got ready to dish out the four (4) tasks but was faced with adversity as the well "experienced" entourage knew a few tricks of their own. However, the girls held steadfast until the groom by accident pushed the gate open and was thus presented with the opportunity to enter without enduring the required tasks. A bit of jostling and shoving later, the groom found himself in the hall but still couldn't get access to his bride. The entourage then decided that they would finally perform the tasks which the girls felt would be cut down to two (2) only.
So after a rendition of "I'm a Little Teapot" (in Hockkien, indeed!) while wearing shower caps, and a "Kee" test - where Yan had to pick out a photo of Sue Khoon's mole from a list of nine photos shown to him. To his credit, Yan picked the right mole first time - thus opening the way to finally see his bride.
The process of tea drinking then began proper after the "formalities" and it continued till later at Yan's place where we got to explore the bridal boudoir complete with attached bath (a fan in the toilet, great idea Yan!) and the converted walk-in closet.
During a nice lunch, we sat with Sue Khoon and the gang chatting about the events of the last few hours and laughing at ourselves mostly. It had been a tiring yet eventful morning. For Sue Khoon, it's to be a new beginning. One which is always looked at with apprehension and concern yet filled with hope and joy.
The ladies...
Groom arriving...
Bargaining with the "gate keepers"...
In with a grin...
Taking a walk, the bride & groom...
Offering their prayers...
That famous fan in the toilet...
Giving angpows to the younger ones...
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