Church ceremony to begin promptly at 2PM

The groom along with his close family and friends will parade to the reception hall playing musical instruments, singing and dancing along the way (there is a song, specially composed for this procession, that is sang in every groom parade). Everybody is laughing, cheering and smiling in the most joyful way. The groom walks under an umbrella carried by his friend. When they arrive at the bride’s side, the groom and his party are met by the bride's relatives where a silver door and a gold door are set up and closed. These doors are just lines of silver and gold bells stretched across the door way (known as Golden and Silver Gates) to prevent the groom entering before he is granted permission. To be granted a permission the groom has to pay his way through. The groom will be allowed to go inside only after he drinks with the bride’s party and pays them to open the doors and after their customary questions such as: “Where did you come from? What did you come here for? What did you bring with you?”, etc. are answered. So… extensive bargaining, questioning and drinking takes place here which is another fun part of the Laos wedding.

Different from the western view of soul, Lao people believe that there are 32 organs in the human body, and that each has a soul, called khuan, to protect them. Those souls often wander outside the body causing unbalance of the soul which might lead to an illness or misfortune. The tying of the white thread represents tying of the 32 souls to the body, putting them back in harmony as well as bringing good luck and prosperity. The ceremony is a reflection of the Lao people’s belief in the interconnectedness of all things and their desire to live in harmony with themselves, their communities, and the natural world around them. At the end of the Baci ceremony, the elder relatives lead the couple to Somma (a customary asking for forgiveness and thanking the parents and elder relatives of both parties). This process involves the giving of small money gifts (wrapped inside banana leaves, together with flowers and a pair of candles). During this ceremony, the elders, including the parents and relatives of both parties, give the couple good wishes.

Celebration with traditional Lao music, food, and drinking to follow after ceremony.