The traditional chinese marriage ceremony

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"It's a shame, given this is a winter wedding, that the minister wouldn't let Paul and Linda have the pantomime theme wedding they originally wanted. Looking at Paul, I think ‘Puss in Boots’ would have been very appropriate."

A Chinese wedding, like many Chinese celebrations, is full of traditions that are rich in heritage and symbolism. These traditions center around bringing good luck, good fortune and many children to the happy couple as well as a chance for the families to show the community that they are good and generous hosts. It is also for all involved to avoid taboos that might keep good fortune away from the wedding couple.

1. Proposal and Betrothal

   • A Chinese wedding begins well before the wedding day. It is not just the couple who will be joined but also the families as well. Both families meet on an auspicious betrothal day where they will exchange gifts and agree to the marriage. They will also consult a fortune teller to plan the wedding date.

   Wedding Ceremony

   • The wedding day begins with firecrackers, gongs and drums leading the bride and groom to the wedding site. During the actual wedding ceremony itself, there are no spoken vows, but the couple bow three times to their ancestors, their parents and to heaven and earth. Then the couple serves tea to the elder members of the families. The couple might drink wine from cups tied together with a symbolic red thread. This ceremony is usually attended only by the couple's immediate family.

   Wedding Banquet

   • The wedding banquet is usually a lavish affair paid for by the groom and his family. Members of the extended family, friends and co-workers are invited to share in both family's happiness. Guests are seated at large round tables and served anywhere from 9 to 13 food courses of roasted pig, soups, fish, abalone, noodles and shark fin soup. Food is very important in Chinese celebrations and many delicacies are often served. Drinks include wine, beer, juices and soft drinks. During the wedding banquet, the wedding couple go to every table to offer cigarettes and candy for the guests as well as share a toast with each table. Guests give the couple red envelopes filled with money as wedding gifts at the same time. The final event is when the couple and their families stand by the door to thank their guests and wish them well as they leave.

   Bridal Dresses

   • Chinese brides can change into as many as 4 or 5 dresses on their wedding day. Many choose to wear a white wedding dress similar to western cultures while registering their marriage with the local authorities. A traditional red cheongsam dress is worn for the private wedding ceremony with only the immediate families. Finally, the bride changes into a cocktail style dress, usually pink, since white is the color of mourning in China, for the wedding banquet.

   Wedding Taboos

   • Brides and grooms are supposed to protect their luck for their wedding day beginning three months before the wedding. They are not allowed to visit heavily pregnant women or go to another wedding or a funeral during this time, as they are considered inauspicious. If a parent passes away, the wedding would be rescheduled, but no more than 100 days after the death. If a bride meets another bride on her wedding day, they must exchange red money envelopes to neutralize the bad luck. If a guest is born under a sign that clashed with the wedding date, they would be expected to stay home from the wedding to protect the wedding couple.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding couple, before wedding, Chinese celebrations, chinese marriage, chinese marriage ceremony, Chinese wedding