Attending Samuel's Wedding in Cambodia

Samuel's wedding was held in the Grace Church, Phnom Penh

I was really excited when I learned that Samuel, one of our youth leaders in Cambodia would be married during our stay there.

The wedding was held at the church at 1:30p.m. after the Sunday Service at the church.
As soon as the Sunday Service was over, Carol and her team was busy putting the final decorative touches in the sanctuary.

Guests started coming in at around 12:45pm to attend the wedding ceremony.

The bride and groom's pictures were placed at the entrance of the church hall

At the entrance to the church sanctuary, two beautiful pictures of the bride and groom adorned with flowers were positioned to greet the guests.

Proud parents were seated at the front of the church

Since both the bride and groom are Christians, the wedding ceremony was conducted in a traditional Christian manner incorporated with some Klemer customs.

Lady guests dressed in beautiful colourful traditional dresses for the ceremony

Many lady guests were beautifully dressed for this occasion in their gorgeous traditional dresses.

Bridesmaids coming down the aisle

The ceremony started right on time.  The wedding ceremony started with  two bridesmaids dressed in white walking down the aisle.

Groom and best man waiting for the bride

The minister, the groom and his best men were waiting and watching the bridal procession coming down the aisle.

The bride on her father's arm

Dressed in a white fairytale style wedding gown with a princess like headpiece adorning her hair, the bride looked absolutely beautiful and radiant coming down oh her father's arm.

Friends celebrating the wedding in songs

 

After the initial prayers and at the beginning of the ceremony, two of the couple's friends came onto the stage and offered their congratulations to the couple in songs.

The songs were sung in Klemer. Though I didn't understand the lyrics, the melodies were beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed the singing.

Exchanging the vow

Rev. William, from the Richmond Hill Community Church of Canada, happened to be here for a mission trip in Cambodia. He was present asked to officiate the wedding ceremony.

Pastor Tong, here with a short mission trip, shared her happiness and a few words of encouragement with the new couple.

















Both the bride and groom have been very actively serving in their church and ministries, therefore there were many guests from their churches attending this happy event.

The most touching moment for me during the ceremony came when Samuel and his bride both exchange their wedding vows pledging to love and care for each other inn Christ's love.

Though unable to understand a word of what they were saying to each other, I could see from their expressions how much they love and dedicate to each other and this moved me ( and many) to tears.

It is always beautiful and a touching experience to witness the union of two people in love.











When the union of two people also has the love of God backing them up and the support of a Christian community behind them, I know that the marriage will be more solid and they will receive a lot of support in the future whenever they encounter the struggles later on in their lives together.

The newly married couple!

I was delighted to have this opportunity attending Samuel's wedding in Cambodia.

May God bless you both abundantly as you start a new life together!

R.T.
Phnom Penh
Cambodia