1. As part of a traditional Chinese ceremony, the groom Robin Leong leads a procession with the bride Kris Qi Yue Ruan encased in a sedan. 2. The groom’s parents John and Kar-ling Leong lead a procession. 3 & 4. Robin Leong and his wife Kris Qi Yue Ruan (Photos by George Liu/NWAW)
By Staff
Northwest Asian Weekly
A traditional Chinese wedding ceremony with lavish costumes and authentic props imported from China (including a flower sedan chair) was held at the Seattle Westin Hotel on Aug. 8. The bride, Kris Qi Yue Ruan, and groom, Robin Leong, were wed before 400 guests. They had met in Singapore.
Ruan is from China. Leong is the son of Seattle Kung Fu Club Master John Leong and his wife Kar-ling.
The groom, dressed in a red, long gown, walked from the back of the dining room, symbolizing an old tradition where the groom would lead a procession from the bride’s village to his.
A line of men carried a heavy wooden sedan — painted and decorated with flowers — with the bride inside.
Chinese wedding music played during the ceremony.
1. The ceremony is officiated by Judge Mark Chow (center). 2. The ceremony is officiated by Judge Mark Chow (center). (Photos by George Liu/NWAW)
To match the bride and groom, the in-laws dressed in traditional Chinese attire. Held by nearly 80 Kung Fu Club students, three long golden dragons and three lions weaved around the room to wish the couple good luck.
The couple later changed into Western attire — a white wedding gown and suit. Judge Mark Chow officiated the wedding and Chow’s father, Ping, also in costume, congratulated the couple with Chinese good wishes.
The groom left Seattle after graduating from the University of Washington and ventured to Asia, where he became an actor. Leong is now an entrepreneur and has opened a martial arts school in Asia and Seattle. ♦