Authentically Us
Nowadays couples opt for the much simpler, much modernized style wedding. Adit and Monica’s decision to go traditional on their wedding celebration was very refreshing to see. When asked why they chose the old-fashioned route, Monica said, “At first we wanted to keep it simple. But that didn't sit right with us. We wanted every single procession to have meaning.” Thankfully, the difference in their traditional backgrounds didn't hinder their conviction to go authentic. Adit is from Minang while Monica is from Java. After moments of deliberation, they settled to go with the Javanese customs.
Panggih, is how the Javanese addressed the peak of the entire event as it is the celebration portion of the wedding after the bride and groom have been blessed according to their beliefs. Among the series of processions that made up Panggih, two rituals were mentioned during our brief conversation: Kacar kucur and Sungkeman.
Kacar Kucur is a ritual that symbolizes a man’s responsibility to provide for his household, while the wife is his wise partner who manages the financial aspect of the family. During this procession the man must carefully transfer kaya ( a combination of beans, flowers and coins ) from a woven container to the a fabric that the wife placed on her lap. Then the wife must carefully wrap and tie the fabric to make sure that all the kaya wouldn't spill.
No wedding is complete without the dedicating a moment of respect to our parents for raising us into the person that we are today. Javenese call this ritual as Sungkeman. At this moment, the happy couple bows to their parents as they humbly request for their continuous prayers in going through married life. Sungkeman is also the moment where the bride and groom express their most sincere apology for their shortcomings throughout the years.
Seeing Adit and Monica’s photographs from their traditional Javanese style wedding has definitely revived a sense of pride for the old fashioned. Although some details of the procession were altered, but they tried their best to stay true to the custom as much as they can. At the end of the day, seeing the Adit and Monica smile from ear to ear on their big day proved that their wedding day would go down as the most memorable moments of their lives. Thank you, Adit and Monica for showing that old could be an absolute gold in this age of modernism.
