Cambodian Wedding, Brooklyn, NY, 1984

Sam Ath and Savath lie prostrate with their hands for "pelea ruom khnoevy" (uniting) their pillows, while they receive advice from the well wisher. The couple, lying flat on the floor for a long time, will soon be uncomfortable so guests will massage their legs.

Katrina Thomas's notes: The Cambodians I photographed are newly arrived refugees, having fled the communist Khmer Rouge after the fall of Phnom Penh in 1975. Many came without their families, who had been killed or had remained to guard their properties. In the U.S. Khmer weddings usually take place on a single day. I photographed four, three on a single day, one lasting two days. All are abbreviated when compared to those in the home country. With little guidance, they try to keep traditions for a proper celebration but without their native substances or their own foods. Rather than falling in love, all the couples were matched by others and most weddings are conducted by their own people without the licenses to do so legally but able to marry them in the eyes of their own community.