Cambodia: A wedding party arrives in the early morning at the home of the bride in a village near Siem Reap, central Cambodia

The traditional Khmer wedding is a long and colorful affair. Formerly it lasted three days, but since the 1980s it has more commonly lasted a day and a half.

The ceremony begins in the morning at the home of the bride and is directed by the achar (a specialist in ritual who acts as a master of ceremonies). Buddhist priests offer a short sermon and recite prayers of blessing. Parts of the ceremony involve ritual hair cutting and tying cotton threads soaked in holy water around the couple's wrists.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia