Culture of Wedding in Cambodia

Culture of wedding in Cambodia has strictly been celebrated from the past until now. It has to be asked for permission from authority and announced for 7 days before the wedding will be arranged. The wedding has to be celebrated at the bride’s house. It is required for both bride and groom family to join hands and work together during arranging the wedding party, and the wedding takes for almost three days and nights. During this period, there are a lot of ceremonies done by the wedding owners and party goers, and these are included as following:

(1) The first day of culture of wedding in Cambodia is the cordial day for the groom to get a permission to go to the bride’s house (Choul Roung day: Choul means get into & Roung means wedding house). During this period, the groom as well as their relatives comes into the bride’s house, and some important ceremonies have been done by them. For example, in the morning, there is a ceremony called “Sen Nakta, Praying to descendants” joined by the groom along with traditional wedding orchestra, and this has to be done in front the worshipping place, Roung Nakta. In the evening, they invite the monks to pray for releasing the unluckiness but getting prosperity and happiness. 

(2) The second day of culture of wedding in Cambodia is the wedding day or the main day. Late in the morning, there is a ceremony called “Hair Cutting”, and it has been done by the traditional music players joined by the groom, grooms maid, bride, bridesmaid, parents from both family, and relatives. The traditional music players dance and sing traditional songs for wedding, and then they cut the groom and bride’s hair (a little). Cutting the hair during this period means releasing the unluckiness for both of them, and both of them are also given the best wish from both parents.  Late in the afternoon, the guests come and main food has been served, and then they have to pay the dowry as much as they can. Furthermore, the guests especially the relatives stay late at night because they want to attend some ceremonies such as tying (donating some money with tying the wedding stitch, it means both of them will stay with each other forever), dancing, turning the bowl around the candle, Bang Vel Por Pel, and holding the girl’s scarf, Preah Thoung Taung Sbey Neag Neak, and some others.  

(3) The third day of culture of wedding in Cambodia is honey moon day. It is the day that the bride and the groom share their life together and this will be forever.