I played the Minister at a wedding - God fogive me
I played the Minister at a wedding - God forgive me
As many of you know, I have been living in China for the past 7 years, in an area where there are few Westerners. When I married here, I went through a Chinese traditional marriage ceremony, but what is happening these days is Chinese couples wanting to go through a form of Western marriage as well as the traditional Chinese ceremony. In so many ways the Chinese, in particular the new middle and upper classes, want to mimic Westerners. For example, men want to dress like Wall Street bankers dark suits, white shirts and ties even during really hot summer daytime. For weddings, the groom dresses formally and the bride wears a typical white bridal gown.
Here is traditional Chinese wedding attire:
To be married in China, the actual legal marriage is carried out by attending at a government bureau, filling out some forms, paying some money, posing for photos and bingo youre married. No family or friends bother to attend. However, traditionally, that is followed later on by a wedding party, where a traditional ceremony takes place followed by a banquet for family and friends. But as I have said above, it is changing. Now they seek someone to pronounce the words of a Western wedding ceremony and so they need a Westerner fluent in English to do so.
Someone spotted me, and asked me that as a handsome (his judgment, not mine) older Westerner would I pronounce the Western wedding words for a couple to be married. I said Im not an ordained priest or minister, or official who has such authority. They said it didnt matter, because the couple would be married legally already. They wanted me to wear a dark suit, white shirt and tie, with black leather shoes. I dont have a dark suit here in China, theyre in storage back in Canada. I said its going to be a 100 degree day at noon when the ceremony was scheduled and I have a lightweight jacket with an off-white shirt and light brown shoes. On the day of, they supplied me with a black silk suit and white shirt and black bow tie, but they were about 4 sizes too small and would not fit so they were stuck with my more Western summer attire.
So there I was,standing between the bride and groom, who were dressed in formal Western wedding clothes, and read the words: We are gathered here today in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join togetheretc, but I changed the ending from With the authority vested in me by.. to With no authority, I declare you to be husband and wife. Since almost nobody understood English it really didnt matter. I was told I did such a good job they would ask me to officiate at more weddings, but I should get a dark suit. Actually, it then dawned on me that my Q.C. lawyer robes would be perfect, so Ill ask that they be sent here. There is a similarity between the robes a lawyer wears to those of an old-fashioned pastor.
Typical barrister's robes:
Many times Ive been asked to pose for photos with Chinese people, and Ive never refused. The wedding ceremony is actually a lot more fun. They promised to send me copies of pictures taken, so when it happens Ill post some for you to see.
Tags
Who is online
252 visitors
It's all theatre, I guess.
Buzz, I think that you've discover a new occupation. You could call it, ''Wedding on the Run''. Have Barrister Robes, will travel.
I have to agree! When I found out that less than a third of Americans have a passport I was shocked. I have been traveling since I was 2. My daughters since they were 18 months. I enjoy our own country, but I love to see how others live. I am always amazed how there are place that I have traveled to, where they enjoy life so much more than we do here. Oh well....
You know, I think that Royal has something here. You could start your own little home industry here. I love the name he gave it and it would be nice to make a little cash on the side. It's a great deal! You get to spread joy and make money! Win/ Win
BTW your barrister's clothes look like Puritan minister's clothing.
There's one on every fucking block. They tie it in with photographers and wedding planning.
What the heck Buzz. It may not have any legal standing here, but it does make them feel good.
speak for yourself, and I say that in a friendly way.
You got it, RW. It may be for fun, but the ceremony also consists of the ancient traditions - which some elderly Chinese feel is necessary for the couple to be properly married notwithstanding the government office certificate. As well, this "wedding party" can be a pretty expensive event.