Sabaidee everyone. I thought before I go to sleep I would tell you how very excited I am to be going to Laos in May (9-27). As you know, if you have read my earlier posts, you know that I am married to a beautiful woman, who also happens to be Lao.

Keomany and I went before a judge in our county and were married in a legal, but ceremonially lacking event, on Janurary 31, 2011. We have been working hard and saving all our money for 2 reasons. One to go to Laos, and two to give her mother the sin sod.

Yet there is another reason, Keomany and I are going to to Laos to share our kiin dong (Lao Wedding Ceremony). I speak very little Lao, but a few members of her family, and friends in Laos speak English and one will always be with me to translate (I hope!).

I am so very excited and everyday that brings us closer to our departure date, finds Keo becoming almost ecstatic. It is still 2 months away and already she is having problems sleeping.

I know Chris, Chuck and a few others, like myself, are not native to Laos and so maybe do not understand the whole ceremony. I have been prying my wife for many answers about the event. She tries to explain, but somethings are lost in translation.  So... I have been doing much research for myself. I have found a few sites that try to explain the whole ceremony, but maybe with the assistance Administrator and other fellow forum members we can fill in all the blanks.

I read that, "It’s considered to be one of the most honorable duties for Lao girls, and most joyful for her parents to see their daughter honoring and respecting them by choosing Lao traditional wedding as a median in transition of starting a family."

I want to start our new life off on the right path. It means the world to me to make my wife happy for the rest of our lives. I believe that this is the first step to both of those goals.

Your input is encouraged and most welcome. Sokdee.

http://www.laopride.com/pictures1/trip-to-laos.jpg
Keomany & William


http://nyenoona.wordpress.com/2008/12/15/lao-traditional-wedding/
http://www.pbs.org/pov/betrayal/wedding_ceremony.php

All this time my parents referred to the dowry as: "khaa dong". Does "sin sod" literally mean the same thing?

Yes, "kha dong" and "sin sod" means the same thing.

And William, you and your wife look amazing. I'm happy for everyone who are married to a Lao woman, and those in the process of getting married to a Lao woman. We are a good kind and you won't be disappointed.

To be on the right path, all you have to do is just "follow the yellow brick road" together and the both of you will have a fulfilling and happy life. Enjoy your upcoming trip to Laos.

Yellow brick road. 55555 That was good! You are indeed a very big Judy Garland fan.

I told Keomany. I was married 2 times before, but unlike those times before, this time I have a wife. She is so very good to me. My mom (koy mae) told me, "Keomany is a keeper." and "You two stick to each other like glue." My mom really, really likes her. I know if my father had the chance to meet her, he too would felt the same.

"My mom (koy mae) told me".

(Mae Koy).

William you have a beautiful wife, congratulation, best wish and happiness. Wedding is very important. Sometime they do both Lao ceremony and another one at the church.
8-)

I admire Judy Garland, because she is the meaning of love and friendship.

She had the privilege of walking down the Yellow Brick Road in The Wizard of Oz. And during her journey on that Yellow Brick Road, she taught us the valuable lessons in life.

Your "heart", "brain" and "courage" are the values that makes a strong and everlasting relationship with your family and friends. And I'm sure that your journey down the road in life with your beautiful Lao wife, will reflect on the teachings of Judy Garland.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 12^th Mar, 2011 at 10:03pm:

I admire Judy Garland, because she is the meaning of love and friendship. She had the privilege of walking down the Yellow Brick Road in The Wizard of Oz. And during her journey on that Yellow Brick Road, she taught us the valuable lessons in life. Your "heart", "brain" and "courage" are the values that makes a strong and everlasting relationship with your family and friends. And I'm sure that your journey down the road in life with your beautiful Lao wife, will reflect on the teachings of Judy Garland.

Judy Garland needs to go! I waill start a poll to make it official. The monotony is getting at me. (Where's that"hot" music you said wascoming?). I'ts time I took a sabbatical. Back to "asiasfinest.com" and joining the rest of the other Lao extremists. That's where my blunt opinions belong!

Admin wrote: William, you and your wife look amazing. I'm happy for everyone who are married to a Lao woman, and those in the process of getting married to a Lao woman. We are a good kind and you won't be disappointed.

@ Admin.: Thank you very much. I am truly know that and am finding out that more every day. Her family and children are very accepting and friendly to me also. They made me feel like family before I was actually married to Keo.


Anouvong wrote: William you have a beautiful wife, congratulation, best wish and happiness. Wedding is very important. Sometime they do both Lao ceremony and another one at the church.

@ Anouvong: Thank you. Sometimes I see her and think that maybe I am dreaming. How did I get so lucky to find a woman so good that loves me so much. Only thing I can say, is if this is a dream, then I pray that I never wake up.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 12^th Mar, 2011 at 10:03pm:

I admire Judy Garland, because she is the meaning of love and friendship. She had the privilege of walking down the Yellow Brick Road in The Wizard of Oz. And during her journey on that Yellow Brick Road, she taught us the valuable lessons in life. Your "heart", "brain" and "courage" are the values that makes a strong and everlasting relationship with your family and friends. And I'm sure that your journey down the road in life with your beautiful Lao wife, will reflect on the teachings of Judy Garland.

I watched the Wizard of Oz many times, and never thought of it that way, but now that I think of it, you are right. Many lessons can be learned from old movies such as this one.

Nice pic and good idea for a thread WK.

I'll share anything that happens on my trip to Laos in April.

Cheers
Chris

Sounds like a great idea, as I will do the same. Thank you Chris!

http://nyenoona.wordpress.com/2008/12/15/lao-traditional-wedding/

WOW!! I wonder how much it cost for such a wedding banquet at Paksan hotel.

It's going to mean a lot to my girlfriend and in laws knowing I would have such a banquet for them if I can afford it.

Any idea fellas? :)

The bride doesn't look happy. Lao girls from Paksan are considered "geng" (tough) in the eyes of many Vientianians.

If you can't afford it, you can host a home wedding. It's perfectly normal in Laos. Serve buffet style meals for guests and provide alcohol and drinks on their tables.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 14^th Mar, 2011 at 7:14pm:

The bride doesn't look happy. Lao girls from Paksan are considered "geng" (tough) in the eyes of many Vientianians. If you can't afford it, you can host a home wedding. It's perfectly normal in Laos. Serve buffet style meals for guests and provide alcohol and drinks on their tables.

My girlfriend was telling me to host a a home wedding like that. Well, yea but Im sure if I can afford a banquet like that its going to look nicer. I really wonder how much is the cost for a home wedding?
Admin, do you have any idea about how much is the wedding dress and suit? Is it necessary to have the gold decoration for the bride on the hair? Looks like its going to cost a lot for the gold decoration.

The cost for a home wedding depends on how many guests are invited. On average, $1000 US should be fine for meals and drinks.

There's all sorts of things that comes with a wedding dress and western style suit. Your girlfriend will know. Also, if you want to wear the traditional Lao costume for the "soo kuan" ceremony, then that will cost you some money as well.

Gold decoration on the brides hair is a must. It's not necessary to buy them, most couples borrow the gold, just for the occasion.

http://www.laopride.com/pictures1/lao-bride.jpg

You're right - she doesn't look happy.  But people rarely do in such formal settings.

When I got married, they not only dressed up my wife like to look like in that picture, but me too - I looked like a 17th, century Laotian prince.  I even had a sword.  Looked kind of odd when I was playing electric guitar and singing rock songs for the assembled guests.

I've been to many Lao weddings including lots in big hotels and I dislike the big hotel weddings.  Most of the guests in those huge weddings don't even know the bride and groom, the catering and furnishings are way over the top and the cost is enormous.

I'd recommend having a home wedding if at all possible.

http://www.laopride.com/pictures1/lao-wedding1.jpg




http://www.laopride.com/pictures1/lao-wedding2.jpg




http://www.laopride.com/pictures1/lao-wedding3.jpg

Your true personality shows in a Lao wedding. Don't be too serious, and eyes should be open for the cameras because you're the star of the moment. She looks like attending a funeral, than getting married. Her husband seems to be enjoying the occasion a bit more.

Yes, if the groom also dress up like a Laotian prince, it's picture perfect. After the formal ceremony is over, then the groom can get changed into a suit for meals and dancing.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 14^th Mar, 2011 at 11:27pm:

Yes, if the groom also dress up like a Laotian prince, it's picture perfect. After the formal ceremony is over, then the groom can get changed into a suit for meals and dancing.

Maybe not quite picture perfect in my case.  I'd post a photo of my Laotian prince get up to give you all a good laugh, but I'd need to scan it first.

A good laugh because I forgot to replace my English shoes and socks with something more traditional - looks totally silly.

Keo and I are having a home wedding and hall reception. We are planning on 200 guests (zero from my side of the family, too expensive to fly, and no one to watch my mother's furry children - her 2 little dogs) at the reception.

The night before the wedding I will be staying at her brother's home, which happens to be right next door. So we will have to walk around the block for the Haih Khun Maak.

@ Old Man: I am going to look like a Lao prince only from the waist up to the neck. Hahaha. Keo doesn't want me to wear the pants. She tells me that someone will be coming in the morning to get me ready. Oh boy, that sounds like fun.

She says we have to make a nice bed for the pictures. She has shown me how to hold her arm while people tie Phook Ken on her wrist. We are going to hire a person to record the whole ceremony on video, and her brother Noy is going to take still shots.

Keo was telling me that when you invite 100 guests 200 show up, 200 and you get 400. I really hope that isn't the case. Anyway, the hall is going to cost 1 to 2 K, I'm sure.

Not counting airfare or the sin sod, I am betting the whole event is going to run around 3 to 5 K, but hey, how many times do you get to marry the woman of your dreams? And in a fairytale wedding (Lao version) to boot?

http://www.laopride.com/pictures1/keo.jpg

wrote on 15^th Mar, 2011 at 5:59am:

@ Old Man: I am going to look like a Lao prince only from the waist up to the neck. Hahaha. Keo doesn't want me to wear the pants. She tells me that someone will be coming in the morning to get me ready. Oh boy, that sounds like fun.

I think your future wife shows good taste not wanting you to wear the pants.  I did, and I wanted to give you all a good laugh by posting the picture of myself dressed up like an ancient Lao prince with silk pantaloons, a sword and English socks.

I looked high and low for the picture - couldn't find it anywhere.  Now, I'm fully convinced my wife has destroyed it out of embarrassment.  

Here's a waist up picture from our wedding.

http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=494&pictureid=4527

wrote on 15^th Mar, 2011 at 5:59am:

She says we have to make a nice bed for the pictures. She has shown me how to hold her arm while people tie Phook Ken on her wrist. We are going to hire a person to record the whole ceremony on video, and her brother Noy is going to take still shots.

Hopefully, you'll post some of the better photos here.

I certainly will. May 9 is sure taking it's sweet time getting here.