Padd Solutions

Rob & Cheers Traditional Chinese Wedding, Weinan, originally uploaded by Akira2506.

If you haven't already, be sure to read part 1.

As usual, all photos can be viewed bigger, or saved. Just click the photo go to flickr, then click the "all sizes" button above the photo. :)


So, inside Cheer's parents' apartment, Rob had some traditions to take care of. First of all he paid respect to Cheer's ancestors; pictured here are her great-grandparents.


Then Cheer's mother arrived, looking spectacular.


She'd made some intentionally-bad-tasting eggs that Rob had to eat up. Yum yum.


Some videographers looked on.


For the next "test", Rob has to try get into Cheer's bedroom where she's hiding with her friends. This involves bribing the friends with money, and singing a song to the bride to convince the girls that he's a suitable husband, and he should be allowed in.


Rob during his rendition of "You are my sunshine."


Pinky bribing them and trying to convince them he's a good man and a suitable husband.


Finally the door opened, and suddenly everyone piled into the relatively small room. This manic shot was captured as I streamed through the door. You can just about make out Beryl. :)


I was very happy to see B. :)


The next test... the bride's shoes have been hidden! The groom and his friends have to find the shoes. Nope... not in that cupboard.


One of cheer's friends is given an envelope of money as a bribe, and then suddenly produces one shoe from her bag. The magic of bribery, a true Chinese tradition. :-p


"Is this your shoe, madame?" ( but in Chinese...obviously. )


Beryl is hiding the other shoe, and gets charged by Rob. Haha; brute force, a true American tradition. ;-)


Rob's first glimpse of Cheer on the wedding day, as she lifts her veil to receive her shoes.


Rob slaps on Cheer's shoes, and jobs a good 'un.


"Ni hao!"


Back into the living room and there's some talking between the two sets of parents.


The room was crazy, a true mob around the wedding families.


Everyone trying to get that all-important shot.


Everyone happy. :)


Just time for another photo of B amongst the craziness.


Then back out onto the street to start making our way to the hotel.


Cheer inside her....whatever-its-called.


The crowd looked on


Rob back on his horse.


The parents following.


This baby seemed to be applauding the proceedings.


Lots of vibrant colours making for good photos.


Another lion dance before we set out, and then the lions said....... something.


More traffic chaos as we crossed the road outside the apartment complex.


But most people were happy to have an opportunity to witness the proceedings...


...this guy; not so much.

The four parents looked stunning in the bright sunshine:


Rob's Mother


Cheer's Mother


Rob's Stepfather


Cheer's Father.


This old woman was dancing all the way :)


Cheer sat down all the way :-P


I like this shot. :)


This guy was honking at us as we crossed the intersection... honking at us, while driving around us, while smoking a cigarette, while trying to take a photo. Nice.


Making our way down what is the main road of Weinan.


Everyone still stopping to try capture the moment


This guy seemed truly shocked as he watched the procession go by


Beryl accompanying the mothers.


Another strange tradition...half way down the street the band stop playing and the whole procession grinds to a halt. They won't start again until they're paid. Pinky hands out some red envelopes with a few RMB in.


and the band played on!


:-o


Crossing another intersection.


People on the passing buses looked on.


The buses driving past were quite intimidating


and finally crossing the busiest intersection in the city.


and then arriving at the hotel.


The flood of people through the doors and up the stairs


Cheer looked very pretty!


So much so; Tim was in awe. :-P


The hotel now not so empty as the day before


We had our VIP table at the front of the room.


This guy did quite a crazy performance. Playing instruments with his nose and his mouth. Or sometimes playing instruments with his nose while smoking a few cigarettes in his mouth.


and blowing up a balloon!


Tim and Tom looking suspicious.


Myself and Beryl.


and myself with Pinky.


Chris captured some of the action with his 5D and 70-200 F/2.8L IS.


and then the parents came down the aisle.


and sat on the stage.


Then the bride and groom made their way down the aisle. Some of the Chinese photogs were down-right rude. Standing in the way of the little boy and girl leading Rob and Cheer.


But Rob and Cheer made it through


Rob firing an arrow to the heavens.


and then receipting his poem.


Then lifting Cheer's veil.


Rob and Cheer bow to their parents


Random closeup of Cheer


Another panorama that has to be seen full-size. This is what was behind me as I was taking photos of the on-stage shenanigans.


Roger drinking tea served by Cheer.


They bought the mothers matching necklaces to celebrate and recognise the fact that they're now sisters.


French champagne for a toast between the couple.


Cheer's mom feeling emotional.


and Cheer's father.


Rob's mother singing the wedding prayer.


The now-ring'd fingers.


and the ceremony was done, and off the newly-weds went.


but the partying was far from over. Here Bin toasts Chris and Vlady.


and Rudy (Bin's drinking partner-in-crime) toasts Dumi and Kai,


meanwhile Rob is going around toasting with every table in attendance.


Nothing cooler than taking a photo of someone taking your photo.


Myself toasting


Smiles all-round.


Well... almost all-round. Too much baijo?


and that was a wrap.

It was an awesome day, and I wish the happy couple a great future.

If you can read Chinese...and; who can't? There's an article in the local newspaper, which is available on the website, here.