Chinese Wedding Traditions
During a formal Chinese wedding proposition, the groom’s family will present different offerings to proclaim the engagement. Theses are usually food and cakes. Both families send wedding invitations along with “Double Happiness Cakes” to their nearest and dearest.The bride’s family prepares a gift list, and the groom’s family perform a“setting bridal bed” ritual.
Similar to many other cultures, both families execute the hairdressing and capping rituals for bride and groom. The groom then goes to the bride’s home and is blocked by the bridesmaids. Both families are formally introduced during the Tea Ceremony and together they drink Tsao Chün, a Chinese tea. After the Tsao Chün tea is finished, the couple will receive lai see, a lucky red envelope, given by the family that has money and sometimes jewellery inside. A feast is served at the end of the wedding ceremonies.
It is Chinese tradition for the groom to decorate the car. He then picks up his bride and together they travel to the reception. During the Chinese ceremony, the couple will exchange rings, share a drink of Tsao Chün tea while crossing arms, which is part of Chinese traditional rituals. The family are the only guests invited to this ceremony, but once the banquet begins the rest will join.
On the wedding night, the newlywed’s room will be lit with a dragon and phoenix candle, and the new couple will drink wine from two cups tied together with a red string. The candle represents good luck on the couple’s first night as husband and wife. The bride is then offered raw dumplings symbolizing her commitment to her future family and the power of childbirth.
The day after the wedding, the bride is expected to prepare breakfast for both families. She receives a small gift from older relatives and formally introduced to the groom’s family. This is the point at which the bride is given a formal title within their family.
Three days after the wedding, the bride and groom
visit the bride’s family. At this time, the bride is no longer considered a
part of her family but still welcomed as a guest. The groom is expected to
present a roasted pig and enjoy a meal with the whole family.