After the final combing ceremony, Cheng adorned her hair with cypress leaves bound with red string, symbolizing the union of the bride and groom and warding off evil spirits. She patiently waited for the dragon and phoenix candles to burn out, a tradition that signifies good luck and prosperity. It is believed to bring bad luck to blow out these auspicious candles prematurely.
To pass the time during the six-hour candle burning, Cheng decided to have a modern twist on the traditional ceremony. She invited a few close friends to join her in what turned out to be an impromptu bachelorette party. They chatted, relaxed, ordered dim sum, and indulged in tea and sweets, including oranges, longan, dried fruits, and tangyuan. This gathering helped Cheng calm her nerves and shift her focus away from wedding planning stressors.
That night, Cheng slept with the cypress sprig still tied in her hair, ensuring that the good fortune would stay with her. The next day, she carefully tucked the sprig into her pocket, planning to preserve it along with a calligraphed card detailing the blessings from her ceremony.
Cheng took great pride in curating a trousseau for the hair combing ceremony that was deeply personal and reflective of her unique style. Instead of opting for a generic ceremonial kit, she assembled meaningful items that resonated with her interests and heritage. Her collection included Qing dynasty hair ornaments adorned with kingfisher feathers, a vintage YSL hand mirror, a gold Van Cleef compact, antique earrings with Swiss-enamel flowers, a jade desk clock, and a sewing kit from a ryokan where she and her partner got engaged.
Additionally, Cheng placed offerings of peanuts, lily buds, red dates, and lucky candies in antique silver butter dishes brought from her home. Each item held sentimental value and added a touch of nostalgia to the ceremony.
The entire experience was beautifully captured by photographer Huy Luong, showcasing the blend of tradition and modernity in Cheng’s unique approach to her hair combing ceremony. This special moment will be cherished and remembered for years to come, encapsulating the essence of love, luck, and cultural heritage.
