Tomorrow is our second anniversary, and I’m finally getting around to something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Actually, I’ve wanted to do it since about 1997, when I visited my New Testament professor’s home. He and his wife had their vows hanging up in their kitchen for all to see and for them to remember daily. I thought that was such a neat idea.
Plus, Lawrance and I are making our wedding vows a part of our anniversary. Each year, on our anniversary we repeat them to each other again. So, as I’m digging through my hard drive trying to find them, I also stumbled upon the responsive reading we used in our Taiwanese wedding. Of course in the Taiwanese wedding, we used Chinese, but for my planning purposes, I used English.
I’m not sure where the idea came from–at this point it’s anyone’s guess. We had a few goals with our weddings–one was to stress the idea of a covenant, one was to stress grace, and another was to make Scripture central to everything. So, I compiled verses from the Bible into a responsive reading–I do remember it being too long and having a hard time cutting it down to a reasonable length. Another couple that got married after us had a man and woman take turns reading aloud these verses at their wedding, and that worked beautifully too.
Then the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him. (Gen 2:18)
So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. (Gen 2:21)
And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. (Gen 2:22)
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Gen 2:24)
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. (Prov 18:22)
House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. (Prov 19:4)
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. (Eph 5:22)
For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. (Eph 5:23)
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, (Eph 5:25)
Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (Eph 5:28)
You must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Col 3:12)
You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Col 3:13)
And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. (Col 3:14)
And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father. (Col 3:17)
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else. (1 Thessalonians 3:12)
What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. (Mat 19:6)
Perhaps I’ll ask Lawrance when he gets home whether or not we also want to make reading these scriptures together a part of either our Aug 31st or our March 7th celebrations.
After dating for nearly two months, Lawrance had still not held my hand–or even really touched me for that matter. I knew he had drawn the line for physical touch for pre-engagment at only holding hands. And, I knew that our first kiss would be on our wedding day. But, what I didn’t know is when he’d actually start holding my hand. So . . the story below takes place after we’d been “dating with purpose” for about a month and a half. I wrote it originally as an email to my mom, sister, and a few close friends right after the event.
Sunday night Lawrance and I went on a picnic with Gilby. We went to a park near my home right at sunset. He found a place to eat, and we sat there for a long time. Eating and talking. Gilby was getting anxious, so we stood up and got him to some grass. Finally, he (Lawrance, not Gilby) asked if I’d like to walk along side the river that runs into the harbor.
When he first suggested this park earlier in the week I actually thought that this would be a good time to hold hands. And, I’d even thought about telling him that he didn’t have to “trick me” into holdinghands (like his brother had suggested); all he had to do was ask for my hand, and I would give it to him, but that I’d wait till he was ready . . . he would have to be the one to initiate. I’d even practiced this little speech in my head.
So . . .we walk. I make sure that my hand next to him is free (leash in other hand, purse on other shoulder). We walked this way all the way to the end. For, oh, about 30 minutes. He kept taking his hand in and out of his pocket as we walked. When we turned around at the end I thought “ok, I’m ready to give my speech now.” I didn’t want to pressure him; I just wanted him to know it was ok with me–hoping to take away some of the pressure.
So, we reach the end, and as I’m switching purse and leash (to once again make sure the hand next to his is empty), I look down and he offers me his hand. Before I took it, I looked at him to double check if it was ok. He just smiled, and I took it. I can’t tell you how sweet it was. So gentle of him to do it this way.
I told him I was about ready to tell him he could have it if only he’d ask for it. He told me that he’d been thinking and thinking about how to do it and when to do it and where to do it. He wanted it to be just right. Well, if I do say so myself, he did a good job of making it “just right.”
Later, as the evening came to an end. He told me, “today is a big day.” And, I was like “really? why?” And he said, “because today is the first day I held your hand.” It was so sweet. He is so sweet.
So . . . a month and a half into dating, and he finally holds my hand. Although not easy, it was worth waiting for.
Two years ago . . . on January 15, 2008 . . . a very dear friend of ours, had lunch with Lawrance and asked him to consider asking me out. That night he did.
We know that our Loving Heavenly Father is the ultimate matchmaker, but we are BOTH so very grateful to our friend Corrina helping (ok, begging) Lawrance to consider Amanda as a potential partner.
You see, Corrina was special. Unlike many other people I’d share my longings to be married with, Corrina wouldn’t promise me that “one day I’d find someone.” She never spouted out trite phrases in an effort to comfort me and then change the topic. Nor did she, as some actually did, tell me that I was better off single because I had more freedom and could do as I pleased.
Instead, Corrina would look at me and say, “I want you to be married too. Marriage is so good. You’d love it so much.”
She delighted in her own marriage and felt free to share that delight with me a hurting single. It wasn’t bragging. It didn’t hurt me more. In fact, it was truly comforting because she was longing for me right along side me. Empathizing.
After one night of some deep empathy and tears, I openly asked Corrina for help. “If you know anyone who you think might make a good husband for me, please introduce us.”
Her reply that night (Jan. 14, 2008) was “Amanda, I think you need to go to a bigger church. Go out, meet more people.” But that night after I left, her heart was heavy as she prayed to God for me asking for wisdom in how to help her friend.
The next day . . . totally unplanned, she bumped into and then had lunch with Lawrance, and half way through, she suddenly thought “ah ha, it’s you!”
The rest is history. Blissful, beautiful history. :)
Us with Corrina, our matchmaker, after our Taiwanese ceremony
From Amanda’s View:
We discussed on our first date that that dating “wasn’t just for fun.” And although we didn’t have a “true courtship” since we lived so far from my family and friends, we did seek to live by some of the principles of the “courtship philosophy.” So it was more like “dating with purpose.”
One thing we did was seek to spend time with others and not just always alone. For example, on our second date, I met his mother, and on our third date we had dinner and played games with Corrina’s girls while Corrina and her husband were out on a date.
Lawrance also was really good about sharing very early on with me the things from his past or that he believed strongly in that he thought I might not be able to accept. After telling me these things, he always ask “can you accept that?” His thinking was that it would be much easier to end the relationship at the beginning than hide things from each other only to exchange hearts and then later break them. He is so wise.
Many of our dates took place either in coffee shops or outside. Tainan has great public parks, so there was no shortage of great places for us to spend time together. We started with a standing Sunday evening date, then added Saturday evenings. Later we added Thursday mornings for breakfast–a time set aside for either reading Scripture together or discussing the book Sacred Marriage together (excellent book by the way). Eventually we also began spending Tuesday evenings together too. We did a LOT of talking. It was great!
Another aspect of our “courtship” time is that we agreed on some pretty strict physical boundaries. Since I’ve never been kissed at all, Lawrance decided that our first kiss would be on our wedding day. He also set the physical boundary line at holding hands. He also waited nearly two months to hold my hand for the first time. It was a momentous occasion. :)
Another thing I’ve enjoyed about our relationship is that after a few dates, Lawrance started ending many of our times together–either in person or on the phone–in prayer. Lawrance has done an excellent job as the leader of our relationship making sure that Christ is front and center at all times. What a blessing!!
And, one more thing we were blessed to be able to worship and serve together. During our time of dating we were able to share Christ with students together. And we also attended church together as well as a special Campus Crusade for Christ weekend conference. What a blessing!
I don’t remember when exactly, but I remember where . . . I was on the elevator in my apartment complex riding up to the seventh floor. I looked into the mirror in the elevator, and I knew I loved this man. I knew that if he were to tell me he loved me I’d be able to echo. I knew that if he were to ask me to marry him I’d say yes. I was totally excited by how kind God had been to me.
Our four months of dating (pre-engagement) were a blast! We had so much fun learning about each other and having fun together. We laughed a lot. We talked a lot. And, yes, we (ok mostly me) cried a few times together too. :) They were a wonderful time of drawing closer together emotionally and spiritually. God was graciously beginning to knit our hearts and lives together.
From Lawrance’s View:
Our first date was so “interesting!” Well, I still remember I felt unhappy that afternoon because something happened at my church, and I didn’t want to meet with Amanda then. However, thank God I did meet her then!
I asked Corrina if there were any good places where Amanda and I could have our first MEETING (I thought our meeting at Starbucks for coffee was “just a meeting” and not a date at that time).
We just said hi and then it became “Lawrance’s Talk Time.” I talked non-stop, and I don’t remember every thing I talked about, but I do know I was trying to make her have no interest in me. I told her my past romances and what the girl looks like, my plans in the future, and my core values about love.
She just listened to me with patience. While I was telling her my core values about love, something good happened as she told me “I don’t think dating is just for fun either!” That made me feel she was a very interesting girl. Moreover, after sharing with her, I felt very relaxed and happy (I was no longer upset about the thing that had happened at church that morning).
Well, I don’t know why I would think about her frequently after the meeting and look forward to seeing her again, but I did!! That’s crazy!
I never thought love comes so fast…….
From Amanda’s View:
Our first date was awkward. I could tell he was SO NERVOUS. And, he talked non-stop. I think I might have said a few sentences the whole time.
He laid out everything he thought I need to know in order for me to not want to “go out with him.” He told me all the stories of his previous dates/girlfriends, “rules” and ideas he had for dating, and what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. I felt like instead of trying to impress me, he was trying to get me to reject him.
But instead of repulsing me, he was making me fall more in love with him. I appreciated his honesty and integrity, and I agreed with him on SO many fronts.
Essentially, I couldn’t believe men like him still existed.
From Amanda’s View:
Last year, when I was 29 I went on my first “real date” . . . I went on a few more dates in 2007. And, at the beginning of 2008, I had gone on a few dates with the same guy, but I knew it wasn’t working. So, I told him I didn’t see our relationship progressing to marriage, so it was over. That was Monday.
I felt great peace–I knew it was the right decision. And great sadness at the same time–I truly longed to be married. I needed to talk to someone, so who better than my neighbor and dear friend Corrina.
I went over to her home and spilled many tears. As I left, I told her, “if you know anyone Corrina, please don’t hesitate to introduce us.” I was kinda hoping she still remember that she thought Lawrance and I would make a good match, but at this point I was open to anyone. She told me I needed to attend a big church where there were more single guys and that she would also tell another Christian teacher to keep his eyes open for me.
From Lawrance’s View:
Well…this is a long story about “Making a Match!” Let me think about
how to tell this crazy story . . . . . . ok, I got it!
The day of my last final of the fall semester was a Tuesday. And, after taking my last final, I felt such release and was looking forward to my winter
vacation when I bumped into Corrina, my favorite teacher in the Applied English Department at Southern Taiwan University. We talked about the Campus Crusade for Christ fellowship members who went to Corrina’s church and some other stuff. Then, she invited me to have lunch with her in the school cafeteria.
During the lunch, we talked and laughed happily; however, at the end of the meeting, she asked me if there are some men around thirty years old at my church. I told her no right away. Few minutes later, Corrina asked me how old I was (I’m 28/29 in Taiwanese culture), and then she just laughed—“Ok, then you are the one! Hallelujah!”
I immediately felt something was wrong and exclaimed “WHAT?”
I was shocked that she wanted to match me with a girl because, honestly, I had been guarding my heart from falling love with someone because I knew my future was to work with Campus Crusade for Christ. I needed to find someone who had the same 3Ms (Master, Mission, and Match) as me.
Corrina told me “Just trust me. I wouldn’t do something bad to you!”
“If you don’t tell me who is she, I won’t let you go!” I said.
Corrina told me the girl was a very good Christian, was at my school and that she was very virtuous and intelligent! Moreover, she told me that I’d met this girl before. I was racking my brain thinking of girls I knew, but my searching was in vain, then Corrina said a name that extremely shocked me—”Amanda.”
I told Corrina “NO WAY! That is impossible because she is an American white lady. Most importantly, she is a TEACHER!”
Corrina tried many ways to persuade me into trying to date Amanda. She almost BEGGED me to just have a cup of coffee with Amanda. Well, I thought that since Corrina has always treated me so great that I would feel guilty if I still said no to her, so I told her “Ok, I will try once! Just once, ok?!” And it was so . . . Thank God I said YES to Corrina that time!! He is an awesome GOD, isn’t He?!
From Amanda’s View:
On Tuesday evening, as soon as I entered my apartment, my phone rang. Corrina asked if she could come over.
She asked about “the break up.” After I finished telling her she said, “are you ready for another one?”
I was like “WHAT!?!?!” :)
But, she began to describe this guy she had had lunch with that afternoon. And, I knew exactly who it was. I just knew that she had to mean Lawrance. So, of course I said “yes” even before she told me who she was talking about.
She told me later that when I had left her apartment on Monday evening she was so heartbroken for me. She wanted to help but didn’t know how. She spent much of the night praying for me and asking God for wisdom in helping her to help me.
She claims not to remember telling me earlier that she thought about me and Lawrance making a good couple. She says it wasn’t till the end of the lunch on Tuesday that she suddenly thought about the two of us together. Regardless, I’m glad God used her to bring the two of us together. God is so kind.
From Lawrance’s View:
One day, I was browsing Facebook when I clicked on a picture of a normal American lady in my friend’s friend list. The lady is Amanda whose information box at her Facebook showed she was going to be the teacher of Southern Taiwan University (STU) where I was studying at. Moreover, I found on her Flickr pictures some people I knew—Karen and Christine–my favorite teacher’s (Corrina) daughters. For this reason, I left a message and added her as my friend.
From Amanda’s View: I had told my neighbor Corrina (my friend of about six years and new
neighbor) about this student from STUT adding me to his Facebook. She knew who it was because he (Lawrance) had told her that he’d seen her
girls on my Facebook. She hinted that she had thought before that we might make a good match. But, I didn’t know anything about him other than that he had added me to his Facebook and was a student at STUT.
From Lawrance’s View: Days passed, then I got a call from a Christan friend from STUT asking me for a favor. He wanted me go with him to show Amanda how to get from her apartment to STU because his English was poor. Well, when my friend and I got to Amanda’s place I saw she had Gilby with her. At that time I thought this lady must like dogs a lot.
From Amanda’s View: As we were driving to the school, I kinda “tested” Lawrance by answering all his questions in Chinese. I was wanting to see if he cared more about relationships or practicing English. Needless to say, he passed. He very quickly moved to Chinese only (probably our only “only Chinese” day yet).
{Update: Friends and family in America have been confused by this test . . . so let me explain real quick. In Taiwan, many people want foreign friends simply to practice English–not because they really care about the “foreign friend.” So, I was “testing” this guy to see (a) did he care about me as a person or as a way to study and (b) did he care more about practicing English or relationships (remember, the other guy with us spoke no English).}
He showed me and Gilby around campus, pointing out all kinds of things about the school. Then we sat in a dorm lobby, and he shared his heart with me telling me his desire to share the gospel with Taiwanese college students. He was asking me to help out with the campus’ Christian club, but I was hearing the heart of a man whose heart was so like mine own.
So, I began watching Lawrance . . . to see what kind of man he really was. I liked what I saw.
From Lawrance’s View:
When three of us arrived at the campus, I showed her some important buildings and shared some information about STU with her. In the beginning I spoke in English to her but she replied to me in Chinese. This made me feel relieved but surprised! I didn’t know her Chinese was so good that she would be able understand most of what I said.
I remember I shared a lot of things about Christians at STU and tried to invite her to join the Christian fellowship on campus. I don’t remember how long I talked with her. I guess it might have been around 30 minutes, crazy huh!?
Well . . . at that time I did not think there was any possibility between Amanda and I. Only Heaven knew we would become a couple and would eventually become husband and wife!
I am SO excited by what a good friend handed to me last night!! She passed on to me a CD of videos from our Taiwanese wedding!
Here is the first thing I saw . . . Lawrance singing to me a song entitled "Vows" after we had exchanged our vows. I got giddy just listening to it last night!!
The headdresses and clothing is all handmade and real (and real old too). Also, the headdress I wore was incredibly heavy–I would guess several pounds.
We didn't do the entire "2 day professional photo taking extravaganza" that most nearly-weds here in Taiwan do. We just did a quick afternoon session to get some photos of us in traditional wedding attire and a few studio shots in our own wedding attire too.
(Note the red scarfs–long one for him, small one for me. I've yet to know why they were used.)
So, right after the ceremony, we headed over to a large Chinese restaurant for the wedding banquet.
Law's parents picked out the restaurant, but we were pleasantly surprised that they had chosen a restaurant that was own by a Christan. Very cool!!
Here are some of the banquet highlights:
Before the whole thing started we (the bridal party) were ushered into a little room for a small rest. This was very nice.
We were then introduced and entered the banquet hall.
There were 27 tables at our wedding, which means 270 people. (Ten people per table is the traditional standard. You tell others how many were at your wedding by telling them how many tables there were.)
270 people at a wedding banquet is not considered a large wedding. Small to medium at best. I've been to one with 100 tables–that's 1000 people!!
Also, just FYI, only about 80 people attended both the church ceremony and the wedding banquet. Many just showed up for the banquet, some were only able to attend the ceremony only, and students were invited to ceremony only. So, less than a third of the people at the banquet had been at the ceremony.
After the formal introduction, we sat at the head table at the front with parents, and uncles (and their wives).
After the first dish or so was served, we went "on stage" with his parents
and my best friend's father, Lin BaBa, who stood in as my "Taiwan
father." (I love how the two dads seems as if they are standing at attention.)
We toasted everyone (using cranberry juice, interesting to me since in the States we probably would have used grape juice).
Law and I then did the "couple entwined armed" toast together. :)
After a few more dishes, we sang a Karaoke song together. The only love song I know in Chinese is "The Moon Represents My Heart," so that is what we sang! :)
Then he had to "wei wa" wine. "wei" means to feed someone
something–kinda like a mother bird feeds her baby chicks (and "wa" means "me"). SO . . . he first had to put the wine into his mouth and then
"pour" it into mine. All I could think about was "don't you dare get any
on my dress!" :)
Soon after that the two of us toasted the main family table–parents and uncles.
Next, his parents, Lin Baba (my adopted Taiwanese dad), and Big Uncle joined us as we toasted each table. Waitresses guided us through the entire room, and followed us making sure we all had full glasses.
There were several other Karaoke songs sung.
Law's parents decided on all the dishes that were served. There was a lot of seafood. I ate little, and appreciate the photos people took of the meal since I didn't get to see it all.
When Law's brother and his girlfriend wanted to sing a song, Law "punked" them by making them kiss for a long time. They "punked" him back by making us show him how . . . so we kissed for 9 seconds–the whole room helped keep count. "9" in Chinese is pronounced "joe" which is the same pronuncation of "long."
After a bit more eating and Karaoke, we stood at the door kinda like a receiving line, passing out candy and photos to our guests.
Some of our good friends stayed a bit longer, and so we took a few more photos together.
Traditionally family photos are taken after weddings in Taiwan. Traditionally the bride and groom sit down front and center, and the most important people in the family then sit beside them. With others filling in behind.
They usually look something like this:
or like this:
At the church weddings I've been to here in Taiwan. After the family photos there is then time for photos with different groups of classmates and friends. Bride and groom stay put, guests fill in the spaces and photos are taken.
For a plethora of reasons (namely we are fun-loving Lawrance and Amanda, our photograph liked to have fun, and we were a bit rushed for time) our group photo shots are a bit more . . . um . . . well . . . "lively" than your typical Taiwanese wedding. :)
See for yourself in another slideshow from Abu's photos below:
Here is another slideshow of Abu's photos; this time from the ceremony.
Here are some of the highlights:
Before the ceremony started, Lawrance lowered my veil.
Seating of the family included his maternal grandmother, "big uncle" and aunt, and his mom
His dad walked me down the aisle.
We had two missionary friends officiate–Mike (from America) and Jonathan (from Malaysia)
I choose to walk 7 circles around Lawrance at the beginning of the ceremony (a Jewish tradition symbolizing that, as his wife, my life revolves around his)
Then, he rolled the veil (again, I wanted to see during the 2 hour ceremony, but I knew the veil was important to him)
During the charge to the couple, Mike shared the Gospel clearly and succinctly using a wedding as an analogy. It was GREAT!!
We also washed each others feet (symbolizing servant leadership and mutual submission)
We used the same vows, but this time we each only used our own heart language
Lawrance sang a solo to me right after our vows (it was great!!)
There were five different songs in the middle of the ceremony (so we sat down)
I cried again during the vows . . . but this time for different reasons. :)
I fell deeper in love with my husband as a direct result of celebrating our marriage in front of new witnesses. However, I did tell him that although I love him deeply, I will not marry him again. ;)
After we talked, trying to compare our two weddings, Lawrance and I concluded that it must be kind of like having two children and trying to choose which one you love the most . . . it is impossible.
We didn't want to "hide" before the ceremony. We were already ready; we were already married; we wanted people to know we were glad they were there, so . . . . there was no reason to hide.
The hardest part of standing out and greeting people was helping my groom let go of his wedding planning role and just relax and be in the moment.
And . . . . to answer yesterdays question . . . Great guesses with an Asian focus!! :) But, all wrong . . . I was told that in Taiwan rain on a wedding day indicates that when the groom was a child he used the bathroom outdoors. I thought that was funny since I thought most little boys have done so. :)
And now for a few photos that Abu took before the ceremony started. Mostly they are just us with friends and family.
Most Taiwanese grooms go to the bride's home to "get her." Usually the bride's sisters and friends make it difficult on him by playing tricks on him.
Since the three bridesmaids and I needed to start getting ready at 5 AM, we decided that it would be best for all the girls to say here and for Lawrance and his brother to come and "get us" just like tradition. However, unlike tradition, my friends were nice to Lawrance. :)
It was raining, so we decided to use my paper umbrella, which is an icon of his mother's hometown (which is also the first city I lived in when I first moved to Taiwan six years ago). It was the first time my paper umbrella had seen rain. :)
Although unpleasant, the rain provided for some neat photos.
In American folklore, rain on a wedding day means good luck. Do you know what it means in Taiwanese folklore? Guess in the comments and I'll tell you what I was told is the answer in my next post.
There are so many great photos, I don't know which ones to share first . . . so I'm just going to share them all. Here is a flickr slideshow of our photographer friend's, Abu's, photos.
The three girls in purple are my bridesmaids: Ellen, best friend and previous college roommate, have known her since 1997. Kady, former coworker and office mate, very special friend since I moved here in 2003. And, Cindy, my future sister-in-law, she is my husband's brother's girlfriend (maybe they will wed next year!!). :)
The woman dressed in purple but not in a "bridesmaids dress" is also a very special friend of mine. Her name is Corrina. I've known her since 1999, when she became my long-lost big sister. She is also the one who introduced me to Lawrance . . . I probably owe her my firstborn child she's done so much for me.
Corrina got her sister-in-law to come do our hair and make-up. She did an awesome job and also loaned us all the hair stuff and the veil too. She also was the one who brought the bouquets, bouts, and corsages for us. All I did was provide photos of what I was wanting with the directions of "please use purple and no roses" . . . what she brought was better than any of the photos I sent.
Our Taiwanese Wedding ceremony and banquet was on Saturday! Today is Monday . . . I am still tired beyond all get out.
Our
rehearsal ran late, and the bridesmaids all stayed in my home for the
night . . . so we didn't get to bed till 1 or 2. Then we were back up
at 5 for make up and getting dressed.
Groom and groomsman arrived to pick us up at 8:20 (Taiwanese tradition), and it was RAINING!! :)
Before
the ceremony started we stood at the door and greeted our guests for
about 30 minutes or so. We had lots of people call or text to say they
weren't coming because of the rain. However, still so many of our friends and loved ones braved the rain to come celebrate with us. We were and are SO grateful!!
The
church ceremony was 2 hours long (I've been told that's about average for a Taiwanese church wedding). In addition to the vows, and charge, and unity ceremonies, it included seven songs that were song and two that were played by instruments (trumpet and flute), in addition to the bridal procession and recession. So, we had a mini-concert in the middle of our wedding. I was worried about it being too much and too long, but having our close friends and church family bless us with song was GREAT and made me cry.
Oh yeah . . . .and one of those songs was a solo from my hubby to me!!! It was SUCH a BEAUTIFUL SONG . . . and he sang it SO beautifully (if I do say so myself). Every time he practiced it, I cried, but at the actual wedding I made it through his song without crying.
After the ceremony, we took pictures with different guests for about 45 minutes (mostly students that wouldn't be attending the banquet). Then we
took off to the banquet–got there at 12:15 and most all of the guests
were already there. All the banquet activity started at about 12:30ish.
Then
for the next three hours there was loud karaoke and a huge feast. We
sang a song together in Mandarin (the only love song I know in Chinese). We toasted each table one by one. That's 27 tables and about 27,000 thank yous.
One
traditional thing that I did not do was change dresses three (or more) times. They
do this to "show off the beauty of the bride." They rent the dresses
from a wedding photo store, but since I had purchased my dress from
America, I didn't need to rent a wedding dress. So we choose to keep
things a bit more simple, and I just wore my own wedding dress the
entire banquet, which also means I actually got to eat and enjoy all
the karaoke. :)
After all the feasting and toasting and singing,
we stood by the door and said goodbye to our guests passing out candy
from special baskets–one was the basket his mom used at her wedding
and the other one was made by his grandfather many years ago.
We
must have literally taken over a thousand photos. But, so far we only have a few
that our friends have posted online. I'll share more as we have them.
That's it for now . . . .
All in all it was a GREAT day. . . . a long, exhausting day . . . but VERY wonderful too. :)
(I "stole" some of these photos from Sandy, who blogs here. Sorry and thanks, Sandy!!)
We will be celebrating again our marriage this Saturday . . . some things are very similar to the American ceremony, and some things are quite different.
I'll write more later . . . but for now I just wanted to show you the outside of the building that we are borrowing for the ceremony.
This was a totally random idea I thought up. I've since seen someone else do something very similar but in a much more elegant, professional way.
Anyway, what we did was . . . . we asked my cousin to go around to the different tables during the reception with a whiteboard and our digital camera. She asked our friends and family to write a message and then pose with the white board.
I am SO glad we did this. It was SO fun to look through the photos during our honeymoon. People said things on the white board they never would have on a traditional guest book.
Thanks Tiffany for blessing us in this way!!!
Below is a random order sampling of most of the photo blessings taken at our reception.
Our cakes were made by our wedding coordinator. The "wedding cake" was strawberry, while the groom's cake was chocolate. And, can I just say they were DELICIOUS!! I don't care for most cakes . . . but this stuff was great!
The groom's cake has a Chinese "chop" (or seal) that is supposed to be the wedding word for double joy or double happiness inside a door, which Lawrance choose because he and I (two joys) were starting a new home (door). BUT . . . they left off the bottom part of the "double joy" . . . so EVERYONE–American and Taiwanese–ask us what it means. :)
___ Cutting the cakes was a blast!! Lawrance had no idea what we were going to be doing. I didn't tell him anything. I just told him "wait and see." So, he really was clueless, which made it WAY more fun for us and our guests too.
___ Posing with the Cake
___ Feeding him a rather large piece, but doing it nicely.
___ ___ His reaction. (And, me not wanting to get cake on the dress.)
___ Me preparing a SMALL piece for him to feed me.
___ He wants a big piece and says, "Now I will show you how we do it in Taiwan."
___ As he puts it in his own mouth, I am a bit confused thinking he is going to feed himself.
___ Then I realize what he is going to do . . . and EVERYONE laughs loudly as they figure it out too!!
___ If you haven't figured it out yet . . . He wants me to eat it FROM HIS MOUTH!!!! OH MY!!
___ After all that drama . . . we move on to the groom's cake.
___ Obviously, cutting it together.
___ And, to ensure he didn't make me eat from his mouth again, we fed each other at the same time. :)
Yay!! It was so much FUN!!
And what was wonderful too . . . is that a big plate of the leftover cake was snuck into the honeymoon suite for us. We got to enjoy our wonderful cake throughout our honeymoon! Thanks to whoever did that . . . Mom?? Sarah??
We both LOVE kids (I'm not sure why but Lawrance doesn't like to admit it, but by his actions it's clear he does). I think it is so important for children to have adult friends that love and care about them.
Anywho, we so enjoyed having children at our wedding. :) I couldn't have imagined it any other way! ___ Our three junior bridesmaids were such a joy, and oh so helpful. They were never very far away during the entire reception. What a blessing these three girls are!!
___ The little girls in blue and yellow have two younger brothers, they both totally adored Lawrance. And, Lawrance returned the love. You can also see in the background my cousin dancing with his daughter.
___ We also had an impromptu dance with the kids present to the song "Skid-a-ma-rink-a-dink-a-dink, I Love You" by the Go Fish Guys. The same primarily a cappella preschool group that we walked down the aisle to . . . Lawrance loves their music. Like I mentioned before, if you have preschoolers in the house, you have to check them out!
alternate title: special moments with the men in my life
Oh, my PawPaw . . . I love this man. My grandfather is OH SO special to me. One of the greatest men I've ever met.
___ The new Wu's first dance. We danced to "Someone Like You" by Van Morrison. The only reason we danced was because Lawrance wanted to dance on his wedding day.
Dancing with my daddy. We danced to "I Loved Her First" by Heartland. I cried . . .again.
__ I also got to dance with Sam, my younger brother. He needed to leave a bit early, so right after cutting the cake he asked for a dance before he needed to go; I was happy to oblige. :) He is so sweet, and he is turning into a great young man!
___ And, last but not least, my nephew, "caught" the garter (with a bit of help from his daddy).
We had the reception at the same place where we got married, right next
to the old tree in a historic inn's reception hall. Most of the
floating tissue pompoms were made by Lawrance (we used these directions to make them).
__ The above photo was taken in the afternoon before the ceremony started. The one below was taken during the reception. I love all the twinkle lights!
__ Being announced for the first time . . . what a great memory. :)
Our Taiwanese marriage covenant ceremony is less than 19 days away. So, I thought I should finish up writing about our American wedding before the Taiwanese one happens.
Therefore this week will be full of posts about the various special moments from our American wedding reception.
We had a blast, and we enjoyed every minute.
Also, I just wanted to offer . . . if you have any questions about the
reception or wedding in America or about the upcoming Taiwanese
ceremony and banquet ask those questions here on this post, and I will try to answer them either later this week or next week.
____ Here is a tiny preview of what's to come this week . . .
Don't you just LOVE all that color? We wanted it to be a joyful, happy celebration . . . and that's what we got!! :)
____ I only have three "regrets" in regards to the reception . . .
(1) we didn't get a chance to tell everyone thank you for coming. We ended up leaving earlier than planned because most of the guests needed to drive an hour or more to get home, and they were wanting to get home before it got too late. So, we didn't get a chance to get to every table to say thanks.
___ (2) we never played our "game" that my PawPaw made for me. We didn't have a DJ, and I didn't exactly give the best directions to the person I asked to help with the game, so it just never happened. And, it just makes me kinda sad that my grandfather spent time and money to make this awesome game that never got to be played.
___ (3) and, last but not least, I wish our "guest book" (photo mat) had been either announced or in a better location, not even half of the guests signed it. :( I made my dad and brother sign it later after we got back from the honeymoon.
Tuesday night we folded, stuffed, and addressed all the Taiwanese wedding invitations. We are still missing a few addresses . . . but this is one major "to do" that we got done. :) YAY!!!
Our invitations to the Taiwanese ceremony and banquet are traditional Taiwanese in style . . . and yes, they are red with gold lettering. Lawrance's parents picked them out.
The inside wording follows the traditional form and announces that an oldest son will be marrying an oldest daughter. And, we chose to go with Chinese only for these invites.
Oh, yeah, and, like most Taiwanese wedding invitations, they are scented too.
In Taiwan, wedding invitations are known as "red bombs" because receiving one means you must now "pay money" (wedding gifts are not given, but red envelopes with cash inside are given ). I think it is kinda sad that, like children, wedding celebrations are considered a burden and not a blessing. Don't get me wrong, Taiwanese people love weddings . . . but to have the first gut reaction to be "oh no, a red bomb" . . . well, that's just sad.
Anywho, I guess this week are bombing close friends and family in Taiwan.
We live in Taiwan--a little tea leaf shaped island in Asia.
Amanda is from Texas and Lawrance from Tainan. We met, fell in love and married in 2008.
We both teach English and both love to tell others about Jesus. We also both really enjoy laughing, and we both just happen to enjoy "ching cha," a type of fabulous green tea.
Tomorrow is our second anniversary, and I’m finally getting around to something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Actually, I’ve wanted to do it since about 1997, when I visited my New Testament professor’s home. He and his wife had their vows hanging up in their kitchen for all to see and for them to remember daily. I thought that was such a neat idea.
From Lawrance’s View:
From Amanda’s View:
