OCT. 26: WEDDING DAY: THE BANQUET

A matter of courses

In China only family members -- and people from California -- attend the ceremony. For most guests, the "wedding" is the banquet, and the more courses the better. Robbie and Sam throw a few Western twists into the mix, including Robbie's solo rendition of a Chinese pop song and a slide show that almost doesn't come off because the projector-rental company "didn't get around to it." (They come through but only after some angry lobbying.) The tradition is for toasts at every table -- which means that strong whiskey adds up.

HIGHLIGHTS

* The chicken soup, the honeydew melon juice, dragon melon (Donald's favorite), delectable fish, the most elaborate bean mold you've ever seen and the requisite chicken head in a bowl.   * Andy taking care of the slide-projector crisis.   * Robbie's touch-up makeup, which comes out a little whiter than expected.   * Sam's mother's welcome: "Even those these are very simple dishes and are not much to look at, we hope you enjoy yourself."   * Sam's dress-changing mania: from the white wedding gown into a lavender beaded gown with spaghetti straps to the traditional Chinese red ceremonial dress.   * The sign in the men's restroom for guests who might have partied just a little too much: "Infuse with water after throw-up."

Left, the head table includes Samantha's grandmother. Below, Andy delights in sticking the chicken head in Donald's soup bowl.

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