Newly weds

Almost - they've been legally married for 20 months but today was the joyous celebration of their marriage and here they are Gordon and Wen Hui, sometimes Mr and Mrs Sim.

The day went (mostly) according to plan.

I was up at 5.40 ( I didn't get told till later that the groom woke at 7.05, an hour late!). There was still final decorating of cars to do then it was off at breakneck speed (#3 son driving)) to Taman Connaught for the gatecrashing games. #3 son ended up with the pink eye mask on as they men were made to play games by the bride's friend and pay much ang pow as forfeits. Eventually Gordon, in a red jacket and wearing the traditional red bow, claimed the bride, also in red with wonderful red stiletos and we moved into the tea ceremony.

The bride and groom serve tea to the elders and are given presents, usually something to wear in return, and then they are served tea by the younger folk and give them ang pow. It was very hot and the outside courtyard was covered by a wonderful red and yellow canopy., not good for lighting the photos. we ended with lots of group photos with all the permutations of family and friends.

At 10 we head off to the church where the bride and those in kilts changed for the wedding service. It was a really meaningful service led by the American minister. I read 1 Corinithians: 13, the brides' sister, Wen Shan, played the piano and a friend sang. The only downside was the number of photographers, including the 2 videographers, who stuck there cameras everywhere. It was very difficult to exclude them, or see round them at times.

When the couple left we blew bubbles - no rice, no confetti. It was very romantic. More photos on the steps and in the porch and then off to the Ritz Carlton where we had a Western buffet lunch.

There was a breather of about 4 hours when we rested and I assembled the cake, which I think looked magnificent!!

Then it was changing outfits for the evening Chinese dinner, 8 courses, the groom in mess dress. The hotel decided that people would arrive late, as is usual here, so didn't 'fire up the kitchen' meaning we started half an hour late at 7.30 but that did give the guests a chance to see the video of the morning's proceedings.

The bride and groom were piped in, the cake was cut (unfortunately the sword, though here in KL did not make it to the hotel, thanks UPS), the 8 courses were eaten, (starting with marinated octopus and jelly fish and ending with cranachan) and the speeches were made. Wen Xin spoke for the Foo family, the groom said all the right things and mentioned absent family - his 3 grandparents, and #2 son was excellent as best man. He'd worked really hard all afternoon, liaising with the banqueting staff and the piper.

The first dance followed and I even managed to get Weng Fatt, the bride's dad on the dance floor. He kept saying 'this is easy, this is easy'. He toasted the piper, we had a rendition of 'Flower of Scotland' and then Wen Shan played the guitar and sang the bride and groom's favourite songs. We did have a little time for some ceilidh dancing, not as much as had been planned by by 11 people were leaving and wwe ended the formal proceedings with 'Auld Lang Syne', of course.

Once the bride and groom went off to the bridal suite there was a bit and then it all ended with the gweilos counting and signing for the left over wine before repairing to a bar.

It was a great day, a great wedding, just a shame that more family and friends could not have shared it with us.