A ROOF OF THEIR OWN

A ROOF OF THEIR OWN
A wedding study at Amandayan, Lijiang

What might a wedding in Lijiang look like if its materials and gestures began with Yunnan? Created with Monster Huahua Events at Amandayan, A Roof of Their Own explored that question through the region’s plants, architecture, craft and traditions.

In a courtyard overlooking Lijiang’s ancient town, we began with a roof. Yunnan pine, dogwood, tiger lily and bayberry gathered overhead, making a canopy of mountain flora beneath which the ceremony could take place.

We imagined guests seated in the four cardinal directions around the couple. A black headdress for the bride and a feathered capelet for the groom drew on Yi highland traditions.

For the bride, wild Yunnan rose was rolled with local tobacco into a torchon, bound with a chain of hammered silver. At the entrance, twin hanging talismans of edamame and araucaria recalled firecracker braids, their clustered forms suggesting the crackle of a celebration.

Pomegranate, araucaria, palm fruit and Hydrangea paniculata filled the table with a summer bounty. Beside them, a simple wedge of cake wore a delicate filigree of silver foil.