The groom is dressed for the procession to the brides home.
Friends accompany the groom bearing wrapped platters of gifts, fruits & Khmer desster to offer to the bride's family as dowry.
The bride's family counts the offerings and iff found satisfactory the groom and the rest of the procession are invited into the bride's home.
The gifts are accepted and the groom and the rest of the procession are invited into the home of the bride.
The bride and her attendantss.
The monks bless the bride and groom..Soat Mun
Another ceremony calls forth for those who have passed away to offer their blessings & observe the wedding...Sien Doan Taa
The cleansing ceremony...Gaat Sah... prepares the couple to have their hair cut, representing a fresh start to their new relationship.
Bang Chhat Madaiy.."Honor your parents as you do the Gods". This common Khmer sentiment is rooted in a Buddist parable about not forgetting a debt of gratitude. Without parents, one cannot be brought into the world to honor the Gods.
Singers, representing deities who watch over the mortal realmms, tell of the enchantment of the beauty of the new couple and they agree to personally cleanse and purify them, thorwing away any excesses & misfortunes that may have lingered...Bongvul Pbopul.
The Sompeas Ptem or Knot Tying Ceremony is the final stage of the Khmer wedding. The bride and groom's left & right wrists are tied with blessing strings.
The bride & groom are showered with praises and well wishes of happiness, good, health, success, prosperity and long-lasting love.
