Weddingbee Blog

My cousin Flo, for whom we recently threw that bridal shower for, got married this Saturday, May 20, 2006. It was a looong day. When people say that the day goes by in a flash, they must have meant only for the Bride and Groom because for the rest of us, it felt like a neverending day. We got up at 7am and I didn’t peel off the fake eyelashes and wash the industrial strength hairspray out of my hair until near 3am. Indeed, it was a physically and emotionally exhausting day. As a prelude to a proper recap with photos, I leave you with an explanation of one of the traditions from that day:

It is Chinese tradition that the Groom and his entourage come to the house of the Bride to “pick her up.” It is the duty of the Bridesmaids to put the Groom through a serious of tests as a last ditch effort to evaluate his worthiness as a potential husband. I came up with the following tests:

Test of strength - Are you strong enough to be Flo’s husband?

Groom has to do 99 pushups, if he cannot do them all himself, he may divide the remaining amount amongst his groomsmen.

Test of delicacy - Are you sensitive enough to be Flo’s husband?

Groom and his groomsmen have to pass a square of tissue around using only their lips, starting and ending with the Groom (with lipstick on). After this has been completed, the men must create a toilet paper bridal gown for one of them and together with the Groom, they must sing a love song together.

Test of flexibility or tenacity - Are you flexible enough to be Flo’s husband?

The groom and his groomsmen have to eat something in each of the categories (to symbolize the situations they will face in life together):

• Sweet - candy
• Sour - dried salted plums
• Bitter - coffee grinds
• Spicy - hot sauce

Test of Intellect - Are you smart enough to be Flo’s husband?

We ask the Groom, which member of Flo’s family will she miss most? He must then bring us back an item belonging to that member.

The answer is Cody, the family Doberman. The groom has to figure out to bring us one of his collars.

and lastly,

Test of financial ability - Are you financially stable enough to be Flo’s husband?

Must give us $999.99.

Nine is a lucky number in Chinese symbolizing longevity.