Chinese Wedding Traditions

Proposal and Engagement:

In traditional Chinese weddings, the process begins with the proposal. The groom’s family formally presents gifts, including betrothal gifts or “Guo Da Li,” to the bride’s family as a symbol of sincerity and respect. If the bride’s family accepts the gifts, the couple is considered engaged.

Wedding Date Selection:

Choosing an auspicious wedding date is a significant part of Chinese wedding traditions. The couple consults with a fortune teller or uses the Chinese lunar calendar to select a date that aligns with astrological considerations, ensuring good luck and harmony.

Pre-Wedding Rituals:

• Hair Combing Ceremony: The bride undergoes a hair combing ceremony, during which her hair is symbolically combed by her mother or a married woman to ward off evil spirits and ensure a smooth and happy marriage.
• Betrothal Gifts: The groom’s family prepares a set of betrothal gifts, including jewellery, clothes, and other symbolic items, which are presented to the bride’s family.
• Dowry: The bride’s family also prepares a dowry, consisting of household items, bedding, and sometimes money, which are given to the couple as they begin their married life.

Tea Ceremony:

The Tea Ceremony is a pivotal part of Chinese wedding traditions, symbolising respect, gratitude, and the joining of two families. The newlyweds serve tea to their parents and elder relatives, who in turn present them with red envelopes (hongbao) containing money or blessings.

Wedding Attire:

The bride typically wears a traditional red or gold qipao or a modern white wedding dress, depending on personal preference. The groom often dons a black or blue suit or a traditional Chinese wedding attire called a “tangzhuang.”

Wedding Banquet:

The wedding banquet is a grand celebration where family, friends, and acquaintances gather to share in the joy of the newlyweds. It usually takes place in a restaurant or a banquet hall. Multiple courses of sumptuous Chinese cuisine are served, and speeches, toasts, and entertainment performances are part of the celebration.

Wedding Decorations:

The wedding venue is adorned with vibrant decorations, with red being the predominant colour symbolising luck and happiness. Dragon and phoenix motifs, which represent the balance of yin and yang, are often incorporated into the décor.

Bridal Bed Setting:

After the wedding banquet, the couple is escorted to the bridal chamber, where family and friends set up the bridal bed with auspicious items. These may include red bedding, lotus seeds, peanuts, and other symbolic objects that represent fertility, luck, and harmonious marriage.

Post-Wedding Rituals:

• Morning After the Wedding: On the morning after the wedding, the bride serves breakfast to her in-laws and participates in various rituals to officially become a part of her husband’s family.
• “Fetching the Bride”: In some regions, the groom and his groomsmen play games and undertake challenges to “fetch the bride.” This lighthearted tradition involves obstacles and demands set by the bridesmaids, with the groom showcasing his commitment and determination.

Red Envelopes (Hondao):

Throughout the wedding, guests present the couple with red envelopes containing money as a gesture of good wishes and blessings for their future.