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Jan 31, 2024 · While traditional Chinese gifts hold special cultural significance, it is perfectly acceptable to give Western-style gifts at a Chinese wedding. Modern Chinese weddings embrace a blend of traditions and modernity, allowing for a diverse range of gift options.
This article delves into the world of traditional Chinese wedding customs. We'll explore the significance of wedding cakes, the role of gifts, and much more. Whether you're planning a Chinese wedding or simply interested in cultural traditions, this guide offers a comprehensive understanding.
- The Betrothal. Known as the Guo Da Li, the groom will present betrothal gifts (gold jewelry, dragon and phoenix wax candles, tea leaves and sesame seeds, wine or brandy, etc.)
- Choosing the Wedding Date. The date of the wedding ceremony isn’t chosen by chance. “Many couples consult with a fortune teller, Chinese monk, or Feng Shui master to choose an auspicious date to bring success to their marriage,” shares Froelich.
- The Invitation. The Chinese wedding invitation is typically red with gold lettering and bears the Double Happiness symbol. Inside, it’ll include dates for the wedding banquet, order of birth, and names of the bride, groom, and respective parents.
- Preparing the Marriage Bed. The An Chuang usually takes place on an auspicious day and time, two to three days before the wedding. “This tradition is carried out by a female relative of good fortune—one with parents, husband, children, and grandchildren—where the bed will be dressed in new red color beddings and pillows with a mix of dried fruits and nuts such as longans, persimmons, and red dates,” explains Yu.
- Is This Custom Still practiced?
- When Does The Guo Da li Usually Take place?
- What Happens During The Guo Da Li?
- What Happens After Guo Da Li?
- What Is Included in Hui Li?
- Gifts to Prepare For The Guo Da li and What They symbolise
- Common Betrothal Gifts and What They symbolise
This custom is still widely observed by most Chinese families and it remains an important step of the pre-wedding rituals. Most elderly would insist on keeping the tradition as it is a necessary step of assurance for the parents of the bride before marrying her off, so to speak.
Ideally, Guo Da li should take place between 2 – 4 weeks before your actual wedding day. Like any other rituals, an auspicious date and time is chosen, and agreed upon between both families.
During the appointed date, the groom, accompanied by a few elders from his family with good fortune (福气 fú qi) who will present the betrothal gifts to the bride’s family. Pictures will be taken and the groom and his entourage offered light refreshments.
Following the Guo Da Li, is the Hui Li (回礼) ceremony. Hui Li (回礼) – means gifts in return. In ancient times, these two ceremonies were held on separate dates. However, in modern times, the Hui Li ritual is carried out on the same day. This is where the bride’s family return a portion of the gifts (except wine and red packet) to the groom’s family, ...
20-50% of the betrothal gifts, the amount varies and depends on the what was previously agreed upon by both families.Bride’s dowry items, which includes a number of personal household items for the newlywedsA set of ceremonial teaware and gold wedding jewellery for the bride – to be used during the Chinese tea ceremonyThis is a guide of the common gifts included in Guo Da Li ceremony and their symbolism. However, both families would have agreed on a list of common items which may or may not include additional gifts that may be of certain significance to the bride’s family. Also included to download for FREE is The Wedding Notebook’s betrothal gift shopping check...
Download Betrothal Checklist – Hokkien Bride Download Betrothal Checklist – Teochew Bride Download Betrothal Checklist – Cantonese Bride Download Betrothal Checklist – Hakka Bride
- Double Happiness Symbol. Pronounced shuāngxǐ, the double happiness symbol is one of the most recognizable icons incorporated in Chinese weddings. "The Double Happiness character is very aptly named—it's made of two connected copies of the character xi, which means 'happiness.'
- Auspicious Colors. Red and gold are the two colors most frequently used in color palettes for Chinese weddings. "Across all of Chinese tradition, red is by far and large the most popular color at all major celebrations, including weddings," explains Valente.
- Gate Crashing and Door Games. "The beginning of the wedding ceremony often begins first with collecting the bride. The groom and his groomsmen will travel to the bride's house, where sometimes a tea ceremony is performed in order to pay homage to the bride's family, before everyone heads over to the groom's family's house for their own tea ceremony," explains Valente.
- Tea Ceremony. "The tea ceremony is one of the biggest components in a traditional Chinese wedding," explains Bishop. "Once this is done, it is a sign of marriage in the eyes of Chinese tradition.
Oct 12, 2020 · Published on: 12 October 2020. Category: Essentials, Weddings 101. Tagged in: wedding traditions. Here's a fuss-free guide on the Chinese wedding traditions you'll be expected to practice, including the Guo Da Li and Chinese tea ceremonies.
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Bridal Dowry. The bride’s family prepares a dowry, known as “嫁妆” (jià zhuāng), which consists of items that the bride will bring to her new home. The dowry typically includes furniture, household items, and personal belongings, all chosen to ensure the bride’s comfort and well-being in her new life.
