The long time Chinese wedding tradition of the groom bartering with the bride’s family in order that they allow her to go live with the groom and his family is still alive and well in Perth. Although in Perth in 2011 the bartering is probably just a little less serious, although having seen the bridesmaids at work I was beginning to feel some sympathy for the groom.
Yati and Gordon chose to combine Chinese tradition with with a modern Australian wedding. Besides including the traditional tea ceremony Gordon was made to “barter for his bride”. In the old tradition the groom would bring gifts of suckling pig, other food delicacies as well as silks and embroided cloth for the bride’s family and in return the bride would leave her family to live and take care of the groom’s family. Today’s scenario starts at the front door and is more of a Q&A and a series of challenges where the wrong answers will cost the groom money, this being handed over to the bridesmaids and female family members in the little red Chinese envelopes. The first challenge Gordon and his groomsmen faced was to melt a block of ice to access the house key. The questions Gordon faced ranged from naming Yati’s various beauty and makeup items photographed by the bridesmaids, matching pictures of her shoes to the name of the shoe designer, as well as knowing her bra size and the day of the year on which she was born. All the while Yati waits patiently and quietly inside. Once the bridesmaids were satisfied Gordon was allowed into the home, thinking he would now get to see Yati. But the bridesmaid had the flower girl and page boy ambush Gordon at the bottom of the stairs, requesting a “little red package” to get past. After handing over yet another red envelop Gordon got to see his bride.
With the way now clear for Gordon and Yati to be married they headed off with their bridal party to Cottesloe Civic Centre. Gayle O’Learey-Barlow was the celebrant who conducted the marriage ceremony. Gayle’s professional and calm demeanor added to the sense of occasion at the outdoor wedding. After congratulations from guests and photographs with family and friends Gordon, Yati and their bridal party traveled in a stretched hummer to have their wedding photographs taken. William from Limousine Excursions was helpful and obliging throughout the day.
On arrival at the Hyatt Gordon and Yati were shown to the Presidential Suite and later celebrated their reception in the Grand Ballroom which looked sensational. Poppy’s did the table centre pieces as well as the girls bouquets, all looked fabulous as did the room decorations including the chair covers and fairy-light backdrop that were supplied by Whirligig Design. Yat’s sister Eileen, not only made the wedding cake but also the guest favours, – little chocolate mud cakes iced and with a monogram medallion sitting on top.
