Jewellery shops in Mandalay are readying themselves for an influx of wedding orders at the end of Buddhist Lent, when wedding season begins.
When a couple decides to tie the knot, they can choose whether to adhere to the traditional customs of Myanmar. Relatives from both sides will also play a part in their married life, so they will also have to be taken into consideration.
Mutual love and consideration is necessary for a man and a woman to go on living together peacefully and affectionately after marriage, but what else do you need in order to go on living together happily ever after as they say in fairy tales?
Do we need a family? The sociology writer, Daw Ye Kyain, in her book on Balance Giving and Taking argued that as man is a social animal everyone in the world needs a family to make society continue.
As many people in Myanmar work hard just to scrape a living wage, the time and luxury to dedicate to marriage is squeezed. But what may seem easier for wealthier members of society is not a foregone conclusion despite material hardships.
All brides-to-be worry how they will look when it comes to their wedding ceremony. Every bride wants to look and feel amazing on her big day so it is no surprise there is a fear of making the wrong decision.
It appears that it is wedding season in the world of celebrity, with Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel all planning on tying the knot soon.
Sunday born
Marriage for a Sunday born will be successful when done in accordance with the wishes of older people.
Every tribe in the world has their own tradition reflecting their past generations including the Chin tribe of Myanmar. In particular they hold their wedding traditions sacred and put a lot of work into the ceremony.
In Myanmar, the custom of wearing a wedding ring first arrived with migrant Chinese people decades ago, but has now become a common habit despite the lack of tradition.
