The Wedding

Rachael and Erik

5 January 2007

Stokes Valley, Wellington

Erik & his brothers Svend and Paul

The groom and his supporters, waiting to be called forward, gather for a photograph.

The British paparazzi

The Challenge

This is a very old Thai tradition and can be quite light hearted.
In the challenge, the groom must pass through three “gates” to reach his bride.
At the first “gate” he is challenged by the friends of the bride, the second “gate” by the bride’s extended family and the third gate by the bride’s close family.

Those on the groom’s side met up at the entrance to the monastery grounds and walked up with him, supporting his petition.

Paul, Erik (wearing the family kakahu), Svend, Fr. Geoff approach the first gate.

Erik is challenged by Rachael's friends and asked why they should let him pass. He promises to love, respect, support and protect Rachael (often called Giffy) and make her happy.

At the second gate Rachael's extended family challenge Erik to explain why he feels it is important that he should pass.

Erik's answers were accepted and he was allowed to pass with their blessing.

Here he is preparing to approach the third gate and no doubt

wondering what questions they have in store for him.

Rachael's family wait at the third gate.

Erik was questioned about his intentions and plans for the future with Rachael.

In the photo above Brian, Rachael's Dad ( pink shirt holding camera) and John, Erik's Dad
(holding video camera behind Brian's shoulder) capture his responses on film.

Rachael's mother warmly welcomes Erik with a hug.

The grooms supporters make their way into the courtyard of the temple.

While Erik was being tested outside the temple, Rachael and her sisters, Camilla & Mallika waited.

The two groups of the wedding party meet.

Here they are waiting for everyone to gather in the courtyard.

Watching everyone arrive. Fr. Geoff Broad, Parish Priest from St. Francis de Sales

in Island Bay, waits to conduct the marriage ceremony.

The breeze had fun making Rachael's veil dance about during the ceremony.

Time to begin and to reflect on the commitment they are about to make.

They make their marriage vows in front of friends and family gathered to support them.

From the back of courtyard you can see the veil dance above the crowd.

Joining hands as they promise to be joined in life and love.

The rings.

Fr. Geoff offers some lighthearted words of wisdom along with some sage advice.

The signing of the register with Erik's brother Phillip as one witness
and Rachael's brother Kian as the other.

Readings were shared by Camilla and Paul as the Register was being signed

commitment - contentment

The antics of the veil in the breeze raised many smiles on an already happy occassion.

Fr. Geoff reminds everyone that just as they are witnesses to the marriage so to they are supporters for Rachael and Erik as they embark on life as a married couple.

Sealed with a kiss.

Everyone then moved into the Temple to be received by the Monks who performed a Buddhist ceremony and blessing of the newly married couple.

The String Ceremony

A ball of string was passed from hand to hand so that everyone could be connected and share in the blessing with the couple.

The string passes from the statue of Buddha to the vessel of water and then the candle. The monks then pass the string from one to the other.

The ball of string then passed to Erik.

Then from Rachael to others in the bridal party and family members.

As many people as possible were touching the string. If you couldn't reach the string you were invited to touch someone who was holding the string.

Erik's Farmor and Farfar (grandparents) were part of those linked together by the string adding the strength of their 64 years of marriage to the blessing.

Sacred water is made with four elements:

Earth, Water, Fire and Air. Earth is represented by the wax, water by that in the bowl, fire by the candle flame and air as the wax drops fall into the water

While people were linked together, the candle on bowl was lit. The monks chanted in the ancient language of Pali to invoke blessings on the couple and to aid people in focusing their positive thoughts and energies towards Rachael and Erik.