Solemnization of Matrimony

To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part. From the Book of Common Prayer
So there are weddings and there are receptions. And for me, that's as far as that particular cycle of life goes.
Someone falls in love and decides to announce their attempt at happily ever after in front of God and everybody. That's just setting yourself up (publicly) for failure if you ask me.
But Lord love the fools, they sure do throw a good party afterwards.

It was in China town and as I stepped out on the balcony for a cigarette I noticed the bright full moon lit up the peeks of the pagoda type roofs and cast shadows on the empty marketplace below. The only thing out of place this night was my cinematic cultural conditioning that kept me on the look out for roof top leaping ninjas and market street terrorizing motorcycle gangs. But even without those things The Chinese wedding reception had to be in the top 5.
First of all there is this custom that I think every culture should take up. The bride gets MORE jewelry from the parents after the wedding. Sure maybe it’s what’s left of the tradition of buying a bride or dowry or something, but damn…what girl wouldn’t like a little extra bling?
The second custom I would like to incorporate is their version of the toast and making the rounds to greet all the guests. The bride and groom have to go from table to table and do shots with each table. Not only does this mean each table has their own bottle of liquor (in this case Cognac), but you also get to get the 2 best dressed people falling down drunk. But they did sober up a bit through the 12-course dinner. As for serving a 12-course dinner, well that’s just good manners.
Every thing is done for good luck. All the dishes with heads, had their heads included in the dish. You know, just for luck (or shock value). The place settings each had a smiling Buda for (a party favor and) good luck. However people can bring bad luck. For example, it is bad luck not to eat something from every course (again with the “just good manners”) and sure enough someone refused to eat from the very first dish. Well I guess it was her own bad luck then…

She and her husband had to take the head plate home.