Understanding Chinese Weddings
By: Lesley-Ann Graham
If you don’t want to wear white to your wedding you will be very happy if you’re marrying a Chinese fiance. Red is the color of their weddings since it symbolizes good luck. Even the guests try to have a touch of red in their accessories.
Unlike in western nuptials, the date of the wedding is not just a choice by the happy couple. The chinese will check against the chinese astrological calendar to see what date is best for the couple to get married and for the good day for the groom’s family to give the bride gifts.
On the wedding day the homes of both families are decorated from top to bottom in red. The groom and his groomsmen begin the ceremony by proceeding to the bride’s home where he must prove himself worthy of his bride by passing tests set by the bridesmaids. They can be anything, some even as silly as singing nursery rhymes. The last test is the gifts given to the girls, usually money in red envelopes.
The couple and entourage then move to the bride’s family home where they serve tea and then more gifts are given in the red envelopes. It is also customary for gifts of jewelry be given to the bride here.
The procession moves to the home of the groom’s family where the ritual is performed again and yes, more gifts and money is given. Since it is considered bad luck for the bride’s feet to touch the ground before they are married, she is carried all the way with a red umbrella over her head to bring more good luck.
This is not even half of what traditions go into a chinese wedding. Suffice is to say that the rituals are very important to these people and stamina is something that the groom must build up before the wedding.
Lesley-Ann Graham runs WeddingTrix.com - a valuable wedding planning resource with articles, tips and advice to help you plan your perfect wedding. Visit Lesley-Ann’s wedding forum for more free wedding planning help and advice.