Wedding traditions of Phnom Penh
A Khmer wedding in the capital lasts a day or more, with a three-part programme of music, hair-cutting and the tying of wrists.
The traditional Khmer wedding is full of symbolic rites. Many families now compress them, and hold the rites in a morning and a large banquet in the evening.
A wedding here
The groom's procession carries trays of fruit and sweets, the couple sit side by side for the hair-cutting rite, symbolising the ending of single life, and monks recite blessings. Relatives tie red threads around the couple's wrists and the bride and groom change outfits several times.
Where weddings happen
Tents set up in the street in front of the house for the rites, and banquet halls for dinner. Streets are often closed for the day.
The season and the calendar
Weddings are avoided in the rainy season for outdoor tents, and in Buddhist Lent. Dry season from November to March is busy.
Wedding customs of Phnom Penh
Also part of it, and being written: Khmer wedding (The customs of a Khmer wedding.), Sampeah (The Khmer greeting with joined hands.), Hair-cutting ceremony (A symbolic haircut.), Bai sei (The ritual of offering rice and tying wrists.).
A wedding trail idea for Phnom Penh
- Russian Market A market for silks and gold.
- Central Market A gold and jewellery hall.
- Royal Palace A heritage setting for photographs.
- Bridal studios near the city centre Dress hire and make-up shops, which cluster in the main shopping districts.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, venues and wedding-season dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.