Wedding Blog

Eek! It’s been so long since my last post! I have about a billion reasons why I haven’t posted, but I’ll spare you from all my lame excuses… it’s back to the re-cap for me!

After our 2nd tea ceremony and impromptu formals in my qua, it was time to switch gears and entertain our guests a little! Since our cocktail hour was in a separate room from our banquet room, we hired a lion dance troupe to perform a dance for our guests and help make the transition from cocktail hour to dinner.
Lion dances are traditionally performed during New Year celebrations because they are thought to bring prosperity and good luck for the upcoming year. However, sometimes lion dances are also performed at new business openings and weddings because of the thought that it brings good fortune.

Our guests crowded around to watch as the “lions” danced and performed tricks to the sound of beating drums.Let me just say THEY. WERE. AWESOME. I’m actually a little sad that I only bring you pictures, and not video!Did I mention how AWESOME this was?! I think you can see it on our faces…
and on our guests’ faces…
During the performance, the “lions” gave Mr. Toucan and I presents.
They gave us gifts of oranges and bamboo. The oranges represent gold and are a sign for prosperity. The bamboo represents longevity, strength, flexibility - all good symbols for a successful marriage.

During the performance, the “lions” also unfurled this banner.
The writing on the banner translates to “100 years of happiness together,” and again it’s a sign of well wishes for our marriage from the “lions.”

After about a 15-20 minute performance, the lions “unveiled” themselves to reveal…
… they are all women! GIRL POWER! In all honesty, I partly hired the ladies from Gund Kwok because of what they stood for. The following comes from their webpage:

Gund Kwok, the only Asian Women Lion & Dragon Dance Troupe in the United States, was established in February of 1998 to give Asian women an opportunity to express their creativity, power and strength through performing the lion and dragon dances. The lion and dragon dances are art forms which require martial arts discipline, endurance, flexibility and creativity.The lion dance is not only looked upon as the skillful display of strength and artistry but as the discipline of mind and body. Externally, it enhances health and is used for self defense. It is also the cultivation of inner strength and self discipline to receive life’s challenges with grace and elegance. It represents a symbol of power and courage and has traditionally been denied to women. Gund Kwok gives Asian women the opportunity to cultivate and express these essential qualities as well as their connection to their cultures and traditions.

How could I not hire them?!
While I did hire them partly for the reason above, their performance did not disappoint! The ladies of Gund Kwok practice 2-3 times a week, and sometimes more before performances, to make sure they always put on a good show! I can tell you… these ladies are PHENOMANAL, and far exceeded my expectations! Mr. Toucan and I were so lucky to have them perform at our wedding!

*Please credit all photos to Robert Mirani Photography.

Previously in the Toucan Recap Series…
1. Getting Ready
2. Getting in the Door
3. First Look and Tea Ceremony #1
4. Get Me to the Church on Time!
5. The Ceremony and Something Almost Missed
6. We’re Married! Err… Now What?!
7. Tea Ceremony #2 and the Donning of the Qua