The night before, I was invited to the wedding of a teacher at my school. Eve and I were going together. She said that the reception started at 12, but no one showed up on time...so she would pick me up after 12. I was really excited to see a different culture's wedding. And I bought a really pretty Chinese dress when I was in Kending last weekend; so I was excited to get to wear it. I was told that at Taiwanese weddings, you do not bring gifts. Instead, you give money in a red envelope. I didn't know how much, and I don't know the teacher very well... Eve told me 600 and Mr. Huang told me 1200. I went with Eve's suggestion. I know that incriments of 6 are good luck and 4 is bad luck. 600 NT is equivalent to 20USD.
So, about 12:20, Eve picked me up. She had the other two student teachers with her, and one of their little brothers. One of them had jeans on, Eve had a dress on, one of the boys had khakis, and the other had purple shorts. For the 2 minute ride to the restaurant, I wasn't sure if I was overdressed or not. We walked in and there were SO many people. There was a recieving line waiting for the newlyweds. They walked in right after us and everyone cheered. The sat down in the front with their parents (like the head table, but there is no bridal party), and dinner began. The meal was 12 courses, one after another, after another, after another. Most of it was really delicious, but there were things on there that I wouldn't try (chicken testicles and kidney). After the first couple courses, the couple stood up and some people spoke. I asked Eve if they were the parents, and she said they were politicians. One was the mayor, and I don't know who the others were. She said politicians went to weddings for publicity and to gain votes. What an awful place to campaign. This is such a special day for two people, and some big wig politic is trying to gain a few votes! At one point, the couple was asked to kiss. I couldn't believe that they were too shy to kiss publicly. They faced each other and held hands, when it was time to kis he just gave her a hug. I was soooooooo surprised. Then with some peer pressure, he gave a tiny tiny peck on the cheek. More peer pressure and he turned their backs and pecked on the cheek again. Finally, he gave the smallest peck on the lips that reminded me of a friendly kiss. I was completely shocked....it's their wedding day and they are too shy to kiss in front of their friends and family. People would chant in Chinese "kiss her, kiss her..." and he still was too shy about it. WOW!
The entire reception consisted of eating. There was no dancing. It only lasted about 2 hours. When it was time to go, everyone left at the same time. It was like "ok, thanks for coming, go home now!" LOL. During the 2 hours, the bride changed into three different dresses. The first one was for welcoming guests (the white one), the second was for eating and taking a drink with each table (the red one), then the third dress was to see the guests off (peach). They were all very beautiful. The dresses for the wedding pictures and the wedding day are all rented. The idea of renting a dress is a good idea. You spend all that money to buy a dress...then do you ever wear it again? no. People thinks it holds a memory, but does it really? Or do you make your own memories while the dress collects dust?
As we left, the bride and groom stood at the door with to dishes; one had candy, the other had wallet-sized pictures. Everyone got pictures of the bride and groom in all her different dresses. Eve told me that the candy is to wish the couple good luck in having children soon.
I really enjoyed my first Taiwan wedding! I hear that another teacher at school will be getting married in December...if I get an invitation I will definetely go!
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