Schedule
Sunday, December 1, 2024
ពិធីហែជំនូន (Hae Jumnoun Ceremony)
7:00 am - 7:30 am
Dom Dek Commune, Sot Nikum District, Siem Reap, Cambodia
This event is formal. We hope that you look your best in Cambodian or formal outfits.
Also called the "Fruit Parade". The groom and relatives come, bearing gifts, to the bride’s house to meet her family and see the bride. The parade is usually the first ceremony of the day. Guests are handed matching silver/gold trays of fruit and gifts as they arrive so they can join in the parade, following the groom on his symbolic journey to the bride’s house (usually a short distance around the block). Once the groom & relatives arrive at the bride’s house, there will be a pair of male & female traditional singers dancing and singing to showcase the gifts brought by the groom to the bride and her family/relatives.
ពិធីក្រុងពាលី និងសូត្រមន្តចម្រើនព្រះបរិត្ត (Sot Mun Ceremony)
8:00 am - 9:00 am
During this blessing ceremony, the bride and groom pay homage to their ancestors by lighting incense, bowing, and offering food and tea, usually to a photograph or altar dedicated to their deceased ancestors. It is also known as a “call” to ancestors to come and view the new family bonds that are being formed and to bestow their good wishes or blessings upon their living family. Then, bride and groom receive the blessings of Buddhist monks. During the ceremony, the monks sprinkle flowered water on the couple while chanting blessings for them. Guests are expected to observe in silence and bow their heads when necessary. If a monk isn't available, a priest or grandparent can officiate.
ពិធីកាត់សក់ចង្កក់សេរី (Kat Sok Ceremony)
9:00 am - 10:00 am
The symbolism of the hair-cutting ceremony is to cleanse the couple of the past and get them ready to start their new life together. For this ceremony, the couple sits side-by-side in chairs. Two Khmer singers (one man, one woman) who represent heavenly beings dance around and symbolically cleanse the bride and groom of their past. They do this by simulating cutting the couple’s hair and pretending to perfume them, all the while telling jokes and teasing the couple. Then family and guests, such as the couple’s parents, will take turns doing the same (cutting hair and spraying perfume). (No real hairs are being cut)
ពិធីសែនចងដៃ និងបាចផ្កាស្លា (Knot-Tying Ceremony)
10:00 am - 11:00 am
The knot-tying ceremony is another symbolistic and spiritual tradition that the couple partake in together. They kneel down and hold a gold sword while their hands are clasped together. The sword originates from an old legend called "Holding the Knife"—it's a symbol of loyalty and protection for the couple. While on their knees, family members take turns taking red string and tying it around the bride and groom's wrists. The red strings represent everlasting love and the joining together of two people to become one. Traditionally, the string should stay on their wrists for at least three days or until it naturally falls off. At the end of this ceremony, the couple have palm flowers dipped in holy water and thrown over them. Guests wish the new couple health, happiness and prosperity. Guests may also throw “Pka Sla (white seeds found in palm tree pods)” at the couple as a way of wishing them well.
អាហារពេលល្ងាច (Reception)
Sun, Dec 1, 2024, 5:00 pm - Mon, Dec 2, 2024, 12:00 am
Dom Dek Commune, Sot Nikum District, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Dress to Impress
The reception is a banquet with 8 course-meal, drink, and dance to celebrate the newly couple. Guests are expected to arrive at the reception at around 5:30 pm. Upon the arrival, bride & groom family will bring them to the dinner table. There will be 10 guests per table, and food will be served when all 10 guests are seated at the table. During this time, families, relatives, and guests enjoy their delicious dinner and dance until the night ends right before midnight.