Search results
Chinese Rice Wine: Baijiu. Baijiu is the traditional drink of choice for Chinese wedding banquets. Baijiu is distilled from fermented sorghum and sometimes other grains. It is a very strong liquor (between 80 and 120 proof) and can be a bit of an acquired taste, so sip carefully.
- 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.
People also ask
What foods are served at a Chinese wedding banquet?
What are Chinese wedding banquet traditions?
Should you eat traditional Chinese wedding food?
How to prepare for a Chinese wedding?
- 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.
Traditional foods served at a Chinese wedding banquet: The wedding banquet menu often includes traditional Chinese dishes that symbolize good luck and prosperity, such as whole fish, roast suckling pig, and longevity noodles. These foods are carefully chosen for their auspicious meanings and are believed to bring blessings to the newlyweds.
- Double Happiness Symbol. Watch this video on YouTube. The double happiness symbol (囍) is one of the most recognizable symbols in Chinese weddings. It is traditionally displayed on wedding invitations, decorations, and even the wedding cake.
- Tea Ceremony. Watch this video on YouTube. The tea ceremony is an integral part of a traditional Chinese wedding. This ritual involves the couple serving tea to their parents and elders as a sign of respect and gratitude.
- Red Wedding Attire. Watch this video on YouTube. Red is considered a highly auspicious color in Chinese culture, symbolizing joy, luck, and prosperity.
- Dragon and Phoenix. Watch this video on YouTube. The dragonand phoenix are iconic symbols in Chinese culture, representing the masculine and feminine energies respectively.
Mar 20, 2013 · Alrighty, so in the previous wedding post, I mentioned that the traditional Chinese wedding consists of 8-12 courses. Yeah, I know, kill me now! Yeah, I know, kill me now! Not only is this feast of kings full of complicated dishes, but the cost of having it catered will surely tear a hole through my bank account!
