Phnom Penh: Dr. Pich Chanmony Hun Manet attended the opening ceremony of the third Wedding Fair 2026 in Phnom Penh on the morning of July 24, 2026.
On the occasion, she praised the organisation of this meaningful programme, particularly the fair’s expansion from year to year. It has become an important gathering for wedding service providers and customers to deepen their understanding of Khmer weddings. She also thanked the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts for its guidance and support, and for presenting the evolution of Khmer wedding attire through different periods in keeping with technical considerations and the values of Khmer traditions.
Dr. Pich Chanmony explained that marriage is the moment when a bride and groom begin a happy new family and commit to building family life with love, loyalty, responsibility and harmony, with relatives and friends bearing witness. It is also a time to remember parents, ancestors, elders and the contributions handed down by earlier generations.
She also recalled the decoration and attire used at Khmer weddings in earlier times and compared them with those of today. Social change has brought more creativity, she said, but all creativity must have roots. Modernisation must not forget the original identity, and adaptation should not discard the original meaning.
To keep Khmer weddings more meaningful and vibrant, she offered the following recommendations:
1. Relevant ministries and institutions should continue to research, compile and disseminate knowledge of Khmer weddings more widely, clearly and accessibly, particularly for young women and men and wedding service providers.
2. All businesses involved in weddings should continue to innovate while respecting the original forms. Creativity should make Khmer traditions more beautiful without erasing their original meaning.
3. Young women and men and prospective newlyweds should learn about the meaning of the main rites and ceremonies before arranging their own weddings. This understanding will give their wedding day deeper meaning, not only for themselves but also for their parents, families and future generations.
4. Continued use of Cambodian products, flowers, fruits, handicrafts and the work of Cambodian specialists in wedding arrangements should be encouraged. This supports not only the country’s culture but also the economy, Cambodian entrepreneurs, artisans and small and medium-sized businesses.
5. The exhibition organiser and all partners should continue to make the fair a platform not only for presenting products and services, but also for learning, outreach and continued collective efforts to preserve the living spirit of Khmer wedding traditions.
This is the third time the Wedding Fair has been held. Its aims are to preserve the fine cultural traditions of Khmer ancestors and present Khmer culture and wedding traditions internationally, including their identity, civilisation, characteristics and styles. In line with the population policy of Prime Minister Hun Manet, the fair also aims to promote family values, encourage new couples to establish families in accordance with the law and Khmer customs and traditions, and support the continuation of Khmer families, helping maintain demographic balance and abundant Cambodian human resources as a driving force for national development.
By: ធី លីថូ
