I got second hand embarrassment when Shim Chong dropped her food lol.
There’s a lot of layers to the flower discussion. Shim Chong is practical. She doesn’t understand why you would cut the stem if you wanted to preserve its beauty - it only causes the flower to wilt faster, therefore contradicting your original purpose. However, and my interpretation might be wrong, is that the longevity of the flower is already known. The bride, just like the flower, will age irrespective of whether it’s cut or not. The difference is where it will be when wilts. The chancellor wants the flower to grow next to him; he had the privilege of cutting the flower and placing it to his side, while the bride is forced into the farce of romance. She doesn’t have the option to be cut. A flower cannot choose. I almost feel like the bride is self-mocking, as if she doesn’t even believe in her recital.
The couple’s bow was certainly condescending. They’re bowing to the floor despite knowing how young the bride is. They’re probably twice her age while make a show of being deferential. Literally just being petty to snark a teenage girl.