Like western wedding ceremonies, a Chinese wedding ceremony needs enough time for proper preparation. For a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony, there are significant differences like the traditional color for the wedding dress and the essential decorations. If you are planning to hold a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony, then here are five things you must prepare:
Decor
Wedding decorations that celebrate the event and wish the couple happiness are required for the bride’s home as well as the reception area. Welcoming banners must also be put up in the home the couple will be moving into. Like the wedding attire, traditional Chinese wedding decorations are made from red material as well as other lively, bright colors.
Wedding Day Rituals for the Couple
On the morning of the wedding day, the bride and groom will go through different rituals. The bride will have a shang tou (hair dressing) ritual performed on her by a woman who has living relatives such as parents, spouse, or children to bring her good luck. Meanwhile, the groom will go through a capping ceremony. For this part of the wedding, it is a must to prepare the things needed as well as notify the people who will be involved.
Wedding Door Game
This is yet another essential part of the traditional Chinese wedding that tests how much the groom cares and knows about the bride. For this game, the bride’s friends will have to block the groom from going inside the bride’s home by asking questions about the bride’s personality, habits, favorite things, and the like. To win his way, the groom will have to answer the questions and provide li shi (token money) in red envelopes.
Wedding Ritual and Tea Ceremony
In regular weddings, the couple exchange vows. In a traditional Chinese wedding, the couple kneels or bows three times to the heaven and earth, ancestral tablets, their parents, and, finally, to each other. Once this ritual is done, the bride will then serve tea to the parents and relatives in order of seniority. She, in turn, receives gifts like jewelry and li shi.
Chinese Wedding Attire
The wedding attire is an essential part of a Chinese wedding ceremony. However, contrary to Western traditions wherein white is the color of choice, Chinese people prefer that the bride wear red. This is because red connotes joy and good luck. It is best to take time in finding the best red wedding attire. In your search, however, it is essential to take note that a traditional Chinese wedding dress for women is usually a one-piece dress called a qipao or the cheongsam. Men, on the other hand, usually wear front-closing tunics called da gua. Both the women’s and men’s attire are generally adorned with golden phoenix and dragon designs. For the wedding shoes, try to go for red or silver wedding shoes to match the gown.