We began the New Year auspiciously by celebrating the wedding of our youngest child, and only daughter, Ju Ni with Keerthan on the 2nd January. After months of sleepless nights, the wedding celebrations went on without a hitch (except for the couple who got hitched!) Even the weather was cooperating. It was raining every day before and after the wedding, interspersed by two days of fine weather during the events. A number of our guests were suddenly sick (before, not after the wedding) but none of our family members were down. Some relatives and friends had travelled from as far as New York and London and there was commuting between Ipoh and KL. Thank s to God Almighty for His blessings!
The celebrations started with the “chow fun” Eve dinner (which happened to be on the 1st day of the year) at our home for relatives and close friends. Keerthan’s relatives came in a big delegation bearing traditional sweets and snacks to sweeten the home of the new couple. The nonya-style buffet dinner was consumed with gusto. We retired early to prepare ourselves for the big day. No wild bachelors’ night!
The bridal team had to wake up at 7am the following morning for their elaborate hair-do and make-up. The Holy Matrimony was held at our home church, St Peter’s, with about 200 relatives and friends gathered there to witness. The ceremony was conducted by Rev Fred David from Peace Community Church, KL where Ju Ni and Keerthan regularly worship. Rev Fred himself is married to a Chinese. The Registrar of the marriage was our Bishop, the Rt Rev Datuk Ng Moon Hing. The solemnity of the occasion was spiced with smiles as the couple exchanged vows and rings. The procession with the little pageboys and flower girls provided some laughter. Just as the ceremony ended with the newly-wed dancing out to the song of “Signed, Sealed and Delivered”, the hall went into darkness but for just a couple of minutes. The guests were then provided with a buffet lunch.
The families rushed back to our home (just 5 minutes away) for the traditional Tea Ceremony. The newly-wed paid their respects to the elders with longan tea, who in turn reciprocated with gifts and ang pows to welcome them as part of the family. The protocol of the family members in order of seniority was strictly followed. We had to use the appropriate salutations for the various uncles and aunties. Keerthan’s family decided to follow our tradition as well, with equally complicated terms. Then we followed the Indian tradition of the elders feeding the newly-wed with a concoction of banana (pisang emas), fresh milk and rock sugar, probably as a symbol of fertility!
We all then had a short rest, except for the ladies who had to prepare themselves for the banquet. The Wedding Banquet was held at the Kinta Riverfront Hotel Ball Room. Friends and relatives gathered at 630pm for the cocktail, some of whom have not met one another for years. The younger guests enjoyed themselves making “silly faces” at the photo booth. More than 550 guests enjoyed the 8-course Chinese dinner (no sharks fin!) while being entertained by the band. There was the usual yam seng toasting and the cake cutting. We are thankful to all our guests for their presence and their presents! Some have travelled from near and far just to celebrate with us.
The following Saturday, was the Banquet hosted by the groom’s parents at the Holiday Inn Glenmarie. It was preceded by a typical South Indian dinner at their home. We could barely recognise the bride and bridesmaids who were all dressed in traditional Indian sarees with appropriate make-up and jewellery.
On Tuesday, the newly-wed went off for their honeymoon in Goa, as the beginning of a new life together. May they enjoy many years of marital bliss together.
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