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Isn't she just drop dead gorgeous!

Isn't she just drop dead gorgeous!

At lunch today Wendy invited me to come to her Wedding celebration. I completely misunderstood the event. She said James could meet me at my apartment and walk with me over. I figured it was just a little group reception in her office. Yeah, wrong, I turned the corner to building #11  and there were 2 buses, I mean 2 big tour buses full of people. We were lucky to find seats together in the back of the second bus.

I felt under-dressed wearing jeans and a pullover but as everyone was getting off work, and China does not seem to have a special occasions dress code I fit right in.

Traditional Wedding gift - Red Envelope with Money

Traditional Wedding gift - Red Envelope with Money

James filled me in on Chinese customs and got my back by bringing an extra envelope. It is tradition for the guests to present the couple with a small denomination of money in a red envelope to start their future together.
He even wrote the traditional greeting on the front for me. What would I do without James?
The Reception was held in a posh hotel downtown.

The Reception was held in a posh hotel downtown.0

The traditional ceremony was held in Peter’s hometown of Weihai. Here in Weifang they held the huge Wedding Reception.
There were multiple dinning rooms. This was ours.

There were multiple banquet halls. This was ours.

James and Me!

James and Me!

Adam and Dantzelle

Adam and Dantzelle

Duck - quickly becoming a favorite

Duck - quickly becoming a favorite

Double Happiness Meatballs

Double Happiness Meatballs

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Traditional dish served at weddings. As four is an unlucky number they serve a double serving of two meatballs as two is a very lucky number. So with the Chinese way of thinking when you see the FOUR meatballs in front of you, you should think oh Double twos not four.

Still learning to eat fish with eyes.

Still learning to eat fish with eyes.

Celery and Octopus, who would have thought.

Celery and Octopus, who would have thought.

Traditional, Rice-Jelly-Dates Dish, yeah I stayed away from that after one bite.

Traditional, Rice-Jelly-Dates Dish, yeah I stayed away from that after one bite.

Toasts and Speeches

Toasts and Speeches

There were so many guests two banquet halls were filled. Toasts, speeches and introductions were preformed in both rooms. I really must learn Chinese as by the middle of events they are too enthralled or drunk with the with festivities to translate and explain to the Foreigner. I’m pretty sure it is the equivalent of the Wedding Party toasts.

After the General Toasts at the head of the hall, Wendy and Peter made their way around to each and every table toasting with the guests. Needless to say the entire point of this tradition is to get the Groom as sloshed as physically possible. I would hate to see the statistics of Alcohol Poisoning in Grooms on this night.

This concluded the evening as the Bride and Groom passed out the customery sweets to the guests as they left their tables. I don’t know how long they’ve been using Chocolate but I wasn’t about to complain, I’m still not a huge fan of Chinese candy.

Chocolates are a traditional party favor - no complaints here.

Chocolates are a traditional party favor - no complaints here.

It was a beautiful reception, although most went over my head the traditions, food, music and atmosphere made for a delightful evening. A little bird told me James is engaged with with a Spring Wedding planned, who knows I might get an invite!