I’m pretty sure Worchihan and I had one of the easiest weddings ever. Well, at least it was easy for me. I did ALMOST nothing.
How is that possible, you might ask? To be fair (to myself), the location determined pretty much everything — especially the fact that I wasn’t going to be a lot of help — and made the decisions easy.
When to get married? We got engaged on November 4 (Worchihan had a pretty sweet reason for asking me on this particular day) and visited Worchihan’s family in the village that Christmas. Our next shared holiday was Songkran, the 3 days + a weekend mid-April Thai new year celebration, so that was the obvious choice. When you are as old as we were when we got engaged (Worchihan was 29 and I was 30), you gotta get married. Fast.
Where to get married? There wasn’t much to consider. Before moving to Bangkok, I hadn’t lived anywhere longer than 3 years since I was 13; my parents and my brother had, like me, also left the States, so it didn’t make sense to get married there. Also, Worchihan’s family is large and wouldn’t have been able to come to the wedding if it wasn’t in his village, so his village it was and we really couldn’t have had it anywhere better. (Stay tuned for Our Wedding Part 2 for proof.)
So where exactly in the village? Village weddings are usually held in the village church (most Tangkhul villages have only one church), but Worchihan figured the church would be too small. Worchihan’s village is high up in the mountains of Manipur about 40 miles from the Burmese border — it’s all open space, fresh air, green, brown and blue. There’s a mountaintop a couple minutes’ walk from Worchihan’s house and this is the place he chose to marry me. (Sometimes I ask him why he wanted to marry ME — sometimes I think even I wouldn’t have wanted to marry me. But moving on.)
What to wear? Considering I’d never wanted to wear the traditional white dress, it was never in the closet running. I love the (mostly) red traditional Tangkhul kashan (heavy wraparound skirt) that Tangkhul women have traditionally worn when they get married (though few wear them now) and I knew Worchihan’s mom would appreciate my wearing it. Add a white shirt, my favorite sandals from Woolworth’s in South Africa and DONE!
Who to invite? When you get married in the village, you invite the whole village. Add in all of Worchihan’s family — he has 100 first cousins, so… I sent invitations to my family and friends because I wanted them to know I was (finally!) getting married, but I knew they wouldn’t be able to come.
What about food? The answer to that can only be buffalo. Buffalo is traditionally served at Naga weddings (this is one reason we bought a buffalo); our particular buffalo was a gift from Worchihan’s uncles. Pigs, chickens, and fish were also involved, as well as kilos and kilos of rice. And for dessert? Apples and oranges, their traditional dessert.
The photographer? Worchihan had talked to two friends, one of which would be available only if he wasn’t on a movie crew in south India. This was the only real wedding anxiety I had, but the photographer made it, and three days after the wedding, we picked up several DVDs with all our pictures and videos. ALL our pictures — no package required.
So who did all the work? Worchihan made the plans and his relatives and fellow villagers did the work. ALL the work. Let’s give CREDIT where CREDIT is due.











The villagers are incredibly hardworking and incredibly generous. There’s no way Worchihan’s family could have done this on their own. Would you believe that this is how all village events are brought to life? This is actually common practice in the village, which I think I can learn something from, number 1 being that maybe it’s time to move to the village!
Part 2 — our actual wedding — is coming soon!
*Special thanks to Worchihan’s relatives and fellow villagers for giving us a wedding of dreams
Lory
Wow, the words and pictures brought it all back to me. What a joyous, wonderful time it was. Seeing the venue being built and watching the men take over the cooking. The women running around and doing anything that needed to get done. What a true blessing for us all. Looking forward to part 2
Zingkhai
Wasn’t it incredible?! Thanks, Mom. So glad you and Dad got to experience it with me.
Anna
I’d never seen these pictures before. That’s unbelievable! Their hard work and generosity are unmatchable. These are the sweetest memories. You also have inspired me to write it all day so I don’t forget one thing about my day. 🙂
Zingkhai
They are incredible people! Yes, write it all down, as quickly as you can. Our actual wedding day was a blur, so Worchihan is going to have to help me with the post about our wedding. Thanks for reading, Anna!
Nicky
Wow, Susan! What a wonderful, blessed wedding! I love the details and the pictures and how the whole village participated in preparing the wedding of your dreams!
It’s so refreshing looking at the values and lifestyles in other parts of the world, away from modern, overcrowded cities.
Looking forward to reading about the actual wedding in Part 2 and look at your wedding pics (well, more of those anyways! I was fascinated by the ones you’ve already showed me).
Zingkhai
Thanks so much, Nicky. Lately I find myself often thinking of Worchihan’s village — I think I’m ready to go back, as you can imagine! Thanks for reading!
kathleen evans
susan, what a delightful blog!!!!!! how many gals from the usa have expierenced what you did????? thanks a million for your response to our 50 th. you were the very first person to respond, and I am ever so grateful!!!! your mom and dad will arrive at our home around 6 tonight. they will stay in Turlock until sat. when we will take them to the airport in s.f. wish you were coming with them!!!!!love and hugs to you and your husband…………….aunt Kathleen
Zingkhai
Thanks, Aunt Kathleen! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Hope you’re doing better and that you guys have a great time 🙂
Vin
Loved it! Traditional village weddings have a different spark in it. Being able to be a part of it teaches us so much of how the people live in perfect unity. Your wedding was absolutely beautiful!
Susan Zingkhai
Thank you, Vin! It was a dream wedding!