An amazing wedding party

The party was held in the Geneva Hotel in Tianjin which was also where we were staying. The day started with the arrival of the photographer, videographer and make-up lady who also helped with clothes. Charming people although our room quickly started to feel quite crowded.

By the time I had to get ready, there were 11 people in the room! Half-way through preparations we went to check out the room which gave Monica an opportunity to organise the staff. She had been planning this party since Summer 2010 and wanted everything to be right.

There had been no rehearsal for the party and no timetable or schedule so, for me, it was one surprise after another. Highlights included having to pick up and carry my bride (it’s lucky that Monica is so light), listening to some wonderful music played by talented musicians but then being asked “what feelings did that music evoke in you?” while everyone waited for my answer and the cameraman went for a close-up.

Monica looked lovely so I could relax a little bit because all eyes would have been on her except for when I needed to say something. My Chinese is very limited but I was lucky to have the services of Dan-Dan who was not only an excellent translator but also a very skilled musician on the traditional gu zheng. Her instrument was amazing, apparently one of only two of that quality in the city.

After Fang finished his introductions and interrogations, we posed for photos then made our first costume change into traditional Chinese clothing. Then more traditions followed including collecting gifts and the groom lighting the guests’ cigarettes while mischievous third parties blew out the flame.

Another change of outfit for the groom and it was time for serious mingling and then goodbyes. The party over, we retired to our room to crash out, tidy up and remove make-up.

It was now 10pm and we’d spent the whole day in our hotel so I decided that we needed to go out and have some fun, just the two of us. For a total contrast to the day’s formalities, we went to a nightclub which played fantastically loud Chinese techno with lots of lasers and dry ice. I impressed/bewildered my wife with a display of late 1980s-style dancing as a most unusual Wednesday drew to a close. It was only the next day that we realised our English wedding had also been on a Wednesday.

What a day!

p.s. these photos are just some snaps from myself, Wei and Yang-Yang. The proper ones from the official photographer will follow later.