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Halloween 2000.10
London 2000.12
New Year's Eve 2000.12
San Diego 2001.02
King's Canyon 2001.05
Hack and Velvet 2001.10-2003.09
Henry and Soo Sun in NYC 2001.11
Yosemite 2002.08
Los Angeles 2003.04
Soo Sun and Henry's Wedding 2003.04
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We are gathered here today to ceobrate the union of Henry Jun Wah Lee and Soo Sun Choe. We would like to take this time to thank the parents of the bride and groom, as well as other family and friends, for making this day possible. This ceremony is not only for the bride and groom, but also for everyone who knows them to witness and encourage them in their first step towards married life together. Today's ceremony is in a unique format, so please actively particpate in this ceremony by sending them your blessings and best wishes.
Now, let's have the wedding stage ready and your attention focused to start this festive ceremony.
[The traditional Korean drum group (poongmool) enters and livens up the event.]
The stage has been cleansed and blessed for the commencement of this holy and joyful ceremony.
[Entrance of the Bridegroom] Bridegroom enters, preceded by KirukABi (the bearer of the ducks). The bridgroom then takes the ducks and delivers them to the bride's mother and stands on the eastern side of the ChoRyeChung (wedding altar). The wooden ducks symbolize a long and lasting marriage.
[Entrance of the Bride] Next is the bridal entrance. Bride enters, preceded by the ChoRongDongle, bearer of teh ChungSaChoRong (paper lamps), and then proceeds to stand on teh Western side of the ChoRyeChung. Even though the bride is starting a new life, her parents, rather than feeling as if they are losing her, see this as gaining a new son and wish that these two will unite in one body through love.
[Washing Hands] Bride and bridegroom wash their hands to symbolize coming into the marriage ceremony with body and spirit clean and chaste.
[Bowing] The bride and bridegroom bow to each other by lowering themselves to the ground, implying that they respect each other and come to start a healthy life together from the ground up.
[Sharing of the Glass] Next, they will drink to vow that tey will always love and respect each other through thick and thin, in any kind of situation, respect the elders, and be faithful as husband and wife.
The first drink between the bride and bridegroom bonds them as husband and wife. The bride pours the drink and gives it to the groom. The groom then bows politely to the bride, takes asip from teh cup, and sends it back to the bride. The bride finished the drink.
Next, it is the groom's turn to pour the drink, the bride to sip it, and send it back to the groom to finish. Exchanging the second glass implies harmony between the married couple.
The third drink is out of a gourd cut in half, meaning that the bride and bridegroom fit each other alone. The bride and groom pour the drink into the half gourd that has intertwined blue and red strings attached. Each sips from it and sends it to the other. The bride and groom finish the drink.
Finally, the two are united in teh bond of love. The bride and groom may rise.
[Declaration to Heaven] Next, we declare this holy and happy matrimony to you and to the heavens, and announce it to the world.
[Bowing to the Parents] The new couple bows to show their lasting respect to both families.
[Bowing to the Guests] The couple bows to the guests as gratitude for their attendance and as a pledge that they will not deviate from expectations.
[Taking of the First Step] Now the bride and groom will take their first step toward their new life together. Everyone please watch over the future of these two and bless them.