1. Khmer Wedding program
2. Wedding Ceremony Day: The make-up girl arrive at the bride’s home to make-up for the
bride, changing the traditional dress for the bride and groom for Pithi Hae Chamnoun.
3. Pithi Sout Mon (Monk Chanting) The start of the ceremony, invite monks to pray and give
wishes to both the bride and the groom. This is normally celebrated among families, relatives
and neighbors. We believe that the prayer will also indicate to the soul of death relatives as
message to let them know that we are celebrating the wedding and become wife and husband
from today… Pithi : Program
4. Family dinning After the monk’s chanting, the bride and the groom change their dress and
the first day is end up with eating together with families and relatives of both families, and
whoever else presented.
5. Pithi Hae Chamnoun ceremony The groom escorted by his Best Men, parents and his
relatives arrive at the bride’s house. The groom with Best Men, parents and relatives
wait outside the bride’s house until she comes out The groom offers the wedding flowers to the
bride and together enter the house.
6. Khmer traditional singer sings the song (Fruit song) Offering the fruit to the bride’s parent
after the bride changed her dress while the groom and Best Men relax and wait for the Pithi
Exchange Ring
7. Pithi Exchange Ring Bride and the groom exchange their wedding ring. Rings are presented
in the nicely ring box
8. Pithi Kat Sok (Hair cutting ceremony) The parents and the respected guests perform “Pithi
Kat Sok”(haircutting). The Bride and Groom sit next to each other while the bridesmaids and the
best men sit beside them. On the table are the wedding gifts that the groom brought for the brides
parents. Two singers dance around the bride and the groom and pretend to cut hair from them.
The cut hair is placed into the Khang Thong (the golden bowl). Later this cut hair is discarded as
this is believed to get rid of the unhapiness from their lives. All the rest of the falmily and friends
and do the same.
9. Pithi Liang Choeung ( Feet cleaning ceremony) The wife cleans her husband’ feet. The
groom give a money envelope to the bride and the bride enters a room.
10. Pithi Sen (Pray ceremony) The groom wait for the bride to come out of the room for the
next ceremony, Pithi Sen. The Moha start to play the KMOUS to ask for the bride to come out
from her room and to sit close to the groom for Pithi Sen. Singer sing the song Beak Veang
Noun. Beak Veang Noun: Open the door and let the bride out
11. Pithi Bangvil Popil (TurnPopil) ceremony In this ceremony, currently married couples are
asked to gather in a circle around the bride and groom. Three candles are lit and handed from
person to person. Each participant passes his or her right hand over it in a sweeping motion
towards the couple, sending or throwing a silent blessing to them. Only married couples are
asked to participate, as it is believed that they will pass along the special quality or essence
which has preserved their union. The candles are passed around the circle clockwise seven times
to complete the ceremony. Popil: Candles light
12. Pithi Jong Dai Ceremony First, the groom is invited to greet the parents and the elderly
people. A musician sings song and dances in front of the bride’s room. When he has finish he
says “Chay hang! Sous hang!” A woman takes the brides hand and lead her out of the room.
Jong Dai: Put the red rope around the wrist
13. Pithi Preah Thoung Toung Sbay Neang Neak The groom hold the bride’s Sbay(Scarf) and
follows her to enter the room. This follows by this legend…

2. 14. Legend There are many legends concerning the ceremony, but the most famous one is the
story of Preah Thong (the first king of Cambodia) and Princess Nagi (daughter of the famous
Naga). Preah Thong was offended by his father and was exiled to the Kok Thlok Island, where
resided the king of Cham. One night he saw a beautiful lady on the beach and he immediately
fell in love with her. This lady was the daughter of the king of Naga. In order to marry her he had
to travel to the underground kingdom of Naga. As a human being he did not know how to get
there. The young princess told him to hold her scarf and follow her. Between them, they
mysteriously descended into the ground. The King of Naga admitted him and inhaled all the sea,
sending his troop of soldiers to enlarge the Kingdom of Kok Thlok. This new kingdom is called
Kampuchea .
15. Reception All families, relatives, friends, are invited to joint the reception. And usually
held in the Restaurant where reserve enough space. Guests were invited by invitation card and
the envelop, so they will come along with that and put the money inside as gift. Big drink, big
celebration for old friends and dance to keep the party entertained.
16. End of ceremony Thank you !