Wedding Vibes, Georgetown, Penang

Many preparations lead to a festive wedding. They include the traditional practice of making and consuming brightly coloured rice dough balls (above) in light syrup, to signify roundness, celebration and good vibes. Cakes, hearts and toasts share a common link for all cultures to mark a marriage.  The images below were taken on site at the Ming Garden Restaurant in Georgetown's Times Square on 30 May 2012.

The above images in this entry are from the collection of Mr Loke Yew Fai of Kuala Lumpur.

Scenes From A Wedding - Georgetown, Penang 2012

Shaun and Tze Yin came back to the island of Penang to reunite with relatives, meet up with new ones and generally mark a most festive occasion in their lives.  The occasion is also to take a meal together, with parents, relatives and mates.  The opportunity is also to be introduced formally to older and younger relatives, as symbolised by the offering of tea in cups and the exchange of red packets.  The venue is reputedly the largest Chinese restaurant on the island.  The Master of Ceremony was a band member from the iconic Penang band Sweet September. 

Images following below are from the collection of Mr Loke Yew Fai.

Shaun and Yin offer tea to brother Chet and sister-in-law Karen from Singapore.

Father of the bride (above picture) puts a wedding necklace on daughter, whilst the bride offers tea to the paternal grandmother (below).

Suckling pig roast (above) and mushrooms in a veg concoction with good iconic meaning (below) are part of the staple of Cantonese-styled wedding menu dishes.

The photographs below are from the collection of Ms Khoo of Penang.

Scenes From a Wedding - Kuala Lumpur

The venue was the Langkawi Room of the Bukit Jalil Country Club, south of Kuala Lumpur CBD in Malaysia.  The occasion was the KL reception for the marriage of my niece Miss Yong Tze Yin to Mr Shaun Tan.  The caterers were from the long established Tai Thong Cantonese Restaurant chain.

It was the first Saturday evening of June in 2012.  All images here from the photo collection by Mr Yong Chung Shen.

There were slide shows, a short video clip, a stage attempt at the Maori Haka posture dance and lots of toasts.  The food flowed smoothly.  Fathers of both bride and groom gave speeches in their own unique style, with memories of the beaches at Miri in Sarawak, references to the Star of Mount Eden and The Pearl of the Orient, what was said by a teacher at Convent Green Lane in Penang and tributes to the street food in Malaysia.

Another niece of mine , Su Hui, with her Mum, May Lai (image above) and a snapshot, below, of the dinner table with some of my seated cousins from Kuala Lumpur (left to right) - Wen Keong, Wen Meng, Lina, Lai Han and her Mum.  Standing are nephew Chung Shen and niece Su Hui.   I was also reunited with one of Shaun' s aunts, Ah Bo, from KL and whom I first met in Auckland.

Scenes from A Wedding 2 - Auckland

All images above are acknowledged to and are from the Dr Chern Chet Yong Collection.

Scenes from a Wedding - Auckland

Lilac and white, smiles and contentment, mates and relos. It was a beaut sunny day in the Whenuapai gardens of the Herb Patch Farm in Waitakere, half an hour's drive out of Queen Street in Auckland. Yin and Shaun Tan were celebrating their special day of commitment to each other on the 20 November of 2011. Barrie Mason was the celebrant, and Rory Anderson the best man. The setting was New Zealand, with all its greenery, natural emphasis and sense of family and friendship.

The fountain (above) which the bride and her father passed by on the walk to the commitment ceremony. Below, the posse bouquet held by the beaming bride.

Parents of both bride and groom watch on as their children exchange vows of marriage (above).

Shaun's parents (Philomena and Ging Tuang) escort their son for the big day (above) and the parents of the bride ( Sian Kin and Kin On) pose beside the garden floral set up for the 11am ceremony (image below).

Barrie guides the couple in the signing process (above) whilst the cupcakes match in colour and spirit 0f the auspicious day. (below)

A band played, food and drink were served under the marquee and speeches made. Guests came from Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and around New Zealand. There was a reunion of Auckland Grammar boys. Bridesmaid Christine gave an uplifting toast. Groomsman Mike was humorous and captivating in his recount of life with Shaun. The netball team was there to cheer, and the software colleagues at work came. I took the opportunity to reconnect with cousins and more. The groom's father, Ging Tuang, highlighted memories of Shaun's journey so far, whilst the bride's father, Kin On, offered useful pointers on the married life forward.