Rob & Cheers Traditional Chinese Wedding, Weinan, originally uploaded by Akira2506.

So, following on from the previous rehearsal post, the wedding day was a day of craziness! But very, very cool.

I took 1500 photos that day, shooting with 2 cameras. My 400D with the 24-105mm F4 L, and Tim’s 450D which I alternated with the EF 50mm F1.8 and my Sigma 70-300mm.

I narrowed the 1500 photos down the 539 of the best, the full gallery for that is here.

I then narrowed those 539 down to 62 of the very, very best. That gallery can be found, here!

As usual, all photos can be viewed bigger, or saved. Just click the photo go to flickr, then click the “all sizes” button above the photo. 🙂

So, after getting to bed at 1am following the late-running rehearsal, we woke up at 6:20am, donned our clothes, loaded up our camera bags and headed up to Rob’s new apartment. Beryl had spent the night with Cheer; she’d be on the “girl’s team” and we’d be with the boys.

Upon arrival the first thing I noticed was last nights McDonald’s order list, it was worth a snap.

This double-happiness character was to be the sign of the day. This one attached to Rob’s mirror as he shaves; documented by Tim with the handicam.

The make-up artists arrived to start work on Rob’s Mother and Stepfather. They were both to be dressed up in traditional Chinese opera clothing and makeup.

Roger getting the treatment.

Working away.

Meanwhile, Pinky was helping Rob get ready

Rob attempts to shave again. That day he claims he learnt that all disposable razors are not created equally.

Rob’s Mom begins to get decorated with jewellery.

Et voila, the finished product.

All sorted.

Everyone was keen to pose for photos with them.

Rob’s apartment was a scene of chaos, digital cameras everywhere.

Downstairs, the procession began to gather, it was to be led by these musicians, who’d I’d photographed in Weinan before.

and then came a man with a cigarette…. and a horse!

Very fetching makeup and hat combo.

Same can be said for Rob’s mom.

The horse waited patiently

Far too many bright colours for 7:30am!

A fun face to photograph 🙂

The two front-halves and two rear-halves of the lions talked and planned. I’m not sure what’s to discuss when you’re job is to be a lion’s backside…but; hey-ho.

This baby seemed as bemused as me

Another guy looking confused

Some shots almost look like some sort of space-opera costume

But Rob’s mom looked stunning, and definitely stood out of the crowd.

Here, Rob’s parents are tying a knot around him. I forget why. But I’m sure it was important.

Here’s the same thing from another angle…oh…no, wait…

As part of the tradition, four of Rob’s friends have to carry four gifts to Cheer’s father. Here we see Dumi with some wine, Rudy with some cigarettes, Chris with some meat, and Vladi with some lotus roots. That’s one Englishman, one Frenchman, one American and a German; very multi-cultural!

Rob saddles up!

and we’re off!

Quite a sight to see crossing the road!

Followed by a horde of photographers / videographers.

The procession was led by these guys with happiness signs and a gong. Then there were the lions. Followed by the musicians. Followed by Rob on his horse. Then the parents. Then the hand-carried-carriage that would eventually carry Cheer. Followed by a gazillion friends and family.

It was a loud procession, musically and visually. Everyone was stopping and staring as we walked down the middle of the road. Sorry Wednesday morning Weinan traffic.

Even this golf cart of young police ladies stopped to watch the procession. It’s a crazy, grand-scale wedding to see anyway… but with a foreigner, well… that’s probably just about the craziest thing anyone in Weinan has seen all year…

We continued down over the railway tracks.

People were coming out of shops and restaurants to watch the procession go by

Red light or green light; we crossed the roads.

and here we are walking straight across an intersection.

and we were heading down the street now towards Cheer’s parents’ apartment.

Tim capturing the scene

Paris this is not.

Finally, we arrived outside their apartment complex.

Here, the gate opens and a photographer runs ahead of the procession to try get a good shot.

and the procession entered the apartment complex.

Rob paying respect to and thanking the onlookers.

Throughout the whole procession fireworks and firecrackers had been going off. Here some are arranged into a heart shape. Awww! 🙂

Photog’s were going everywhere for a good shot!

Everywhere!

Rob’s mother looks on proudly.

Really proudly! 🙂

You have to click this image and view the full size! (click the photo to go to flickr, then click the “all-sizes” button, then click “original”!) Such an enormous crowd!

Then we headed inside Cheer’s parents’ apartment where the fun would begin!

Part two coming soon!

Part two now done! READ IT HERE!!!

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