President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) daughter, Chen Hsing-yu (陳幸妤), took the plunge yesterday in a wedding that helped cheer up a nation recovering from two typhoons in as many weeks.
The event was a relatively unassuming affair, as the first family wished to keep it "simple, modest ... and just like a commoner's."
The wedding and banquet for Chen Hsing-yu and Chao Chien-ming (
The wedding ceremony began at 6:30pm when around 600 guests arrived at the hotel, including the heads of the five branches of government, Vice President Annette Lu (
President Chen took Hsing-yu on his arm and walked down the aisle as Chao waited on the stage.
Serving as the wedding witness, Judicial Yuan President Weng Yueh-sheng (
Weng was the president's professor at National Taiwan University and was also the witness for the marriage of Chen and first lady Wu Shu-chen (
"I believe that President Chen and first lady Wu set a fine example for the newlywed couple, as they have taken care of each other all these years," Weng said during his speech at the wedding.
In his speech, Lee said that Chen and Wu had sacrificed what could have been ordinary lives to devote themselves to their country.
"President Chen has consulted with me many times during the past month," Lee said, "and one of the major issues he once asked me about is how to be a good father-in-law. I think I am more experienced than he is on this issue."
After Lee and Chao Chien-ming's father gave their speeches, the president then expressed his appreciation to all guests and officials who helped to organize the wedding.
Chen said that Hsing-yu and Chien-ming should work hard just like other ordinary young people, and praised his wife for bringing the happy couple together.
"The thought of her daughter's wedding kept her motivated after going through such pain following the car accident 11 years ago," Chen said, referring to the politically-motivated accident which cost Wu the use of her legs.
Chen said that he had stepped into the political circle 21 years ago when Hsing-yu was just five years old and that it was his wife who should take all the credit for raising their daughter.
"This is the happiest moment for my wife," Chen said, "and the last dream for Shu-chen is to hold a grandchild in her arms."
Early yesterday morning, Chao and his companions went to the presidential residence to collect the bride and take her to the Mandarina Crown Hotel.
Through a steady drizzle, six rose-draped limousines arrived at the presidential residence at around 9:10am. Chen Chih-jung (
Chen told the couple at the residence: "A marriage reflects everyday life. It cannot be sunny everyday, and it will be stormy from time to time."
"On the stormy days ... they should support and care for one another. With more tolerance, care and understanding, there will be greater happiness and fulfillment."
After the family photo shoot, the president put down the veil for the bride and then the bride and groom bid farewell to the first couple.
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