Different countries have different traditions, this goes without saying. And within those countries, the various cultures too, have their own traditions. This is true for the routines of daily life, and it is most illustrated through the celebrations and the festivals, where tradition becomes the centerpiece from which all activities: foods, costumes and manners of etiquette flow. There are many traditional ceremonies in Singapore. The Chingay Procession occurs after the the Chinese New Year, the Autumn Festival and the Hungry Ghost festival celebrates the changing of the seasons and the honoring of one's ancestors. Vesak Day celebrates Buddha, and Deepavali, or the Festival of Lights celebrates the continued triumph of good over evil.
Just as these celebrations are steeped in centuries old traditions and belief systems, so too is the Singapore wedding. Traditionally, the wedding in Singapore consists of two separate procedures. The first step being the solemnisation and the second step being the customary. The solemnisation procedure is the legal binding of a couple, and two people are only considered to be married when this step has been completed. It is, in fact, illegal in Singapore to proceed with the customary, or in other words, the celebratory ceremony, until this legal step has been taken.
This is the procedure wherein the contracts are signed by a legal official and two witnesses. In the United States and in many other countries, this is usually done following the wedding ceremony. Once this is done, the two are married. Some people choose to proceed straight from the courthouse to the wedding, and some choose to wait in order to have time to plan the wedding of their dreams. There is no legal requirement at this point, for the two to hold a ceremony, but this is where the tradition and the celebrations take place, this is the fun part, in the gathering of families and friends in the celebration of the love between the two people.
In Singapore, the Chinese traditions include a tea ceremony and a large banquet dinner. There are many Christians in the city, so traditional church weddings are quite common. There is a large Malay population in Singapore, and their weddings are of the most regal, the most colorful and the most decorated. The bride and the groom are treated as royalty, as queen and king for the day. There are many resources for those wishing a traditional wedding in Singapore, from car services to florists who specialize in the symbols attached to various species of flowers, to caterers, and honeymoon travel agencies. Wedding planners will assist the bride and the groom, in finding the perfect venues for the ceremony and for the celebration that follows. A wedding in Singapore is an exotic and a beautiful option, a perfect way for two people to start the rest of their lives together. |
