Feature: Chinese lovebirds opt for African themed wedding to promote cultural ties

The sentimental ballads which played in the background as Mu Xuqiang walked his princess Li Zhiyuan down the aisle to solemnize their marriage lifted the mood in an otherwise dull Saturday morning in Nairobi, Kenya.

Invited guests from all walks of life rose to their feet as the smiling couple strode down the hallway with grace and confidence to declare their undying love.

The bride groom and his princess are mid-level professionals at the China Roads and Bridges Corporation (CRBC) that is building Standard Gauge Railway stretching from the Kenyan coastal town of Mombasa to the Capital, Nairobi.

Like any other modern couple, Mu and Li had done rigorous home work to avoid mishaps during their big day.

The wedding venue was idyllic while the choice of clothes, flowers and champagne revealed their sophisticated and urbane tastes.

Kenyan guests who happen to be the couple's workmates at CRBC were elated as they witnessed a wedding ceremony that blend Chinese and African cultures with surgical precision.

Mu and Li electrified the crowd as they exchanged vows, tossed champagne embraced one another.

Endowed with looks, energy and brilliance,Mu and Li are the embodiment of modern Chinese youth who have embraced the world and are part of its current transformation.

They defied conventional wisdom to solemnize marriage vows in a foreign land and went ahead to incorporate cultural values of their adopted home during the big day.

During an interview with Xinhua, Li said that a wedding ceremony at the heart of Africa had rich symbolism.

"The experience was very exciting and makes us feel we are part of a big family with our Kenyan friends. We are part of a team that is building infrastructure projects to transform Africa," said Li.

Kenyans who were in the bridal party spoke about a rewarding experience that improved their understanding of Chinese cultural tenets.

"I enjoyed every bit of the wedding ceremony and will never forget an epoch moment as our Chinese friends invited us to be part of this great day," remarked Benson Masavo, a member of the bridal party.

Masavo has worked in the Human Resources Department at China Roads and Bridges Corporation for the last six months.

He had kind words for the bride whom he considered not only a dependable work mate but also a mentor and friend.

"I have known Li as a courteous and friendly person and feel honored to be part of the bridal party in this grand wedding. The couple is very accommodating as evidenced by the high number of Kenyans in the bridal party," Masavo told Xinhua.

Majority of Kenyans have limited exposure to Chinese wedding ceremonies save for those who have travelled and stayed longer in China.

To Masavo and his friends, a Chinese wedding ceremony was an eye opener to a rich and authentic culture from the orient.

"Now I have known how Chinese wedding ceremonies are conducted. They are brief, captivating and rich in symbols," said Masavo.

Kenyan guests reveled in a new and exciting experience when Mu and Li exchanged their vows as Chinese love songs played in the background.

Joy Kinya, a female member of the bridal party was in her element as she strode to the podium wearing an elegant red dress and high heels.

Kinya did not anticipate the wedding ceremony would turn out to be a memorable experience.

"I could not imagine the ceremony would be full of merry and splendor. The blending of two cultures made this occasion outstanding," Kinya told Xinhua.

A secretary at China Roads and Bridges Corporation, Kinya said a fusion of African and oriental cultures gave the wedding ceremony flavor and sparkle.

"The standard Chinese wedding color is red yet the couple settled for black and white. We Kenyans settled for red to complement them," said Kinya.

Sino-Kenya cultural ties were elevated to new levels when Mu and Li settled for an African themed wedding ceremony.

Enock Abuga, a member of the bridal party and an employee of CRBC noted that both the Chinese and African customs are rich and authentic.

"We managed to showcase the best of African cultural heritage during the wedding while our Chinese friends did not disappoint and brought to the fore their rich culture," Abuga told Xinhua.

His colleague, Sheilla Moraa, added that Kenyan lovers can draw vital lessons from China to make their wedding ceremonies memorable.

"A wedding ceremony that combined two different cultural themes not only raised the bar, but opened a new chapter in our cooperation with China," said Moraa. Endi