|
Rod Nam Sang (Water Blessing)
Ceremony
The Rod Nam Ceremony performed at
Thai weddings is a special opportunity for respected
relatives and guests to give their blessings, well wishes,
and wisdom to the bride and the groom. Translated Rod
is to pour, Nam is water, and Sang is the conch shell.
Similar to many other cultures, water is a symbol of
purification and renewed life.
The ceremony began with the couple paying
respects to Buddha. Sitting close together, the bride
and groom held hands in a prayer-like “wai”
gesture. Blessed paste was placed upon their foreheads
and a holy string draped from one head to the other,
forming a circle that symbolized their spiritual union.
A shell was used to scoop water that was blessed by
monks. The water was then poured over the couple’s
hands by the relatives and guests. During this time
sentiments were expressed to the bride and the groom
giving support for a happy marriage and well wishes
for the new couple.
Traditional Christian Ceremony
After the Thai Ceremony, there was a traditional
Christian Ceremony. The bride processed to Jesu, Joy
of Man’s Desiring and the congregation joyfully
joined in with a hearty “We will” to the
declaration of consent. Prayers, blessings and a string
quartet filled the evening.
Décor, Delicacies and Dancing
An array of different sized centerpieces
dazzled the room. Tall stems of cymbidium orchids in
burgundy and white stood high and clean, and were flanked
with bear grass, curly willow and calla lilies. The
shorter centerpieces rested in square vases with a single
orchid blossom inside of each creating a checkerboard
pattern. The look was colorful, yet crisp and clean
with river rocks scattered around the candles on the
tables providing a sense of nature.
The guests enjoyed an array of unique
delicacies at the Thai and Sushi Stations. A flowing
chocolate fountain was a popular treat for all as well.
Throughout the evening, guests made multiple trips to
the food stations, loading their plates with all sorts
of delicious foods. Outside the golf club, a large tent
was set up where the evening’s entertainment,
a dance band, kicked the reception into high gear. The
group danced all night, two cultures coming together.
|
