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Many congratulations Mr. and Mrs. William and Flora Lee, our newly wed couple. The wedding took place yesterday in the glorious weather in the picturesque surroudings of South Lodge Hotel near Horsham, West Sussex. It was a refreshing mix of Chinese and Western (British?) traditions and ceremonies for guests from Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and the States.

The day kicked off with the ceremony. Gentle harp music provided the backdrop. After a few moments of anticipation, the doors opened, and entered the flower girl. Then, in a white dress, the bride entered gracefully, accompanied by her father. She was received by the groom and in calm voice with a slight hint of nerves, vow and rings were exchanged. Inevitably, a few tears have been shed by those present, not to say the bride. It was all smiles again soon enough when confetti rain as the new couple walked down the stairs. It was followed by hundreads of camera shutter clicks, clanging of champagne glasses and joyous chatter.

Speeches were given after the Chinese tea ceremony and wedding breakfast. The groom’s speech chronicled the moving love story of the himself and his new wife, whereas Fu Ting, the best man, presented what he himself and the groom’s friends have to say about the groom, plus a perhaps one or two pictures that the groom would rather not to have been shown in public.

Later the guests relaxed and conversed merrily, in a soothing atmosphere created the jazz duo who delivered numbers from the likes of Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong. Most guests, either weary from the day’s activities or from understandable inhibition, left the dance floor to the bride and groom. The evening ended with The Greatest Love of All (and another song which escaped me since I was busy snapping away), and the wedding concluded with an polite applause to the jazz vocalist and keyboard player.

Truly heartfelt congratulations again to William and Flora, and may you have a happy and prosperous life together.