If one of the couple is not from the same longhouse, the bride's / groom's wedding entourage will come a few days before the wedding takes place. In the old days, since the only means of transportation was the longboat, the journey had to be planned carefully so as not to delay the wedding ceremony. In Long Bemang, the bride arrived from Long Bedian a day before the wedding. The arrival of the bride's party is greeted at the river bank by the groom's family and relatives together with other guests and people of the longhouse. Gongs are beaten to announce the arrival of the guests and to stop any "bad sounds" (bird sounds which can be interpreted as bad omens in the old days) from being heard. The bride's party arrives in three longboats-the first boat brought the Penghulu of Long Bedian, the parents of the bride and other important figures. The second boat carries the bride and her relatives while the third and final boat carries more relatives and guests from Long Bedian. Elderly ladies in the welcoming party chanted songs or ne'na to ward off the 'bad sounds' and also to welcome the arrival of their esteemed guests. The bride and her entourage are ushered to the groom's amin where light refreshments are served and welcoming speeches are made by dignitaries of both communities. Later in the evening, a communal dinner is served and more speeches are made by both leaders of the two communities.