Traditional Chinese weddings, carrying a thousand years of cultural heritage and strong emotional colors, are the most solemn and romantic interpretation of love and marriage by the Chinese nation. When marrying the person of one’s heart with the beauty of Chinese style, the entire wedding is like a slowly unfolding classical painting, with every detail revealing ancient elegance and deep affection.
Getting Ready
Choosing an auspicious date: Firstly, based on the birthdates and eight characters of both parties, select a auspicious date according to the Chinese almanac as the wedding date, symbolizing a happy and auspicious marriage.
Lower betrothal gift: The groom’s family will prepare generous betrothal gifts, such as gold and silver jewelry, wedding cakes, candies, tea, etc., to be sent to the bride’s home to show sincerity and respect.
Wedding invitations: Traditional red paper with gold lettering or exquisite embroidery is used to invite family and friends to join in the celebration and convey joy.
Wedding Decoration
Venue selection: Chinese weddings are often held in antique courtyards, palace style hotels, or banquet halls decorated in traditional styles to create a strong cultural atmosphere.
Decorative elements: Red is the main color tone, paired with royal colors such as gold and purple. Traditional decorations such as lanterns, red silk, wedding letters, couplets, window flowers, as well as auspicious patterns such as dragons and phoenixes, peonies, and wealth, are used to add a festive atmosphere.
Wedding attire and accessories: The groom wears a red long robe and jacket, a top hat, and cloth shoes; The bride is dressed in exquisite Xiuhe clothing or Phoenix Crown Xiapi, wearing Phoenix Crown and Xiapi, stepping on red embroidered shoes, and adorned with willow leaf eyebrows, cherry lips, and red makeup, showcasing classical beauty.
wedding ceremony
Wedding: The groom leads the wedding procession, holding red silk or a fan, to the bride’s house to welcome her. Along the way, there may be customs such as blocking doors and drinking wine, burning pots, etc., which symbolize driving away evil and avoiding harm, and promoting prosperity.
Worship: In the presence of relatives and friends, the bride and groom perform a three bow and nine kowtow ceremony to express respect and gratitude to heaven, earth, ancestors, and both parents.
Tea toast: Newcomers offer tea to both parents as a sign of filial piety and gratitude, and parents give red envelopes or gifts as a gesture of gratitude.
Entering the bridal chamber: After the ceremony, the newlyweds are led to the new chamber (also known as the bridal chamber) and engage in a series of traditional activities that symbolize marital harmony and the blessings of having many children, such as sitting in a sedan chair and crossing a saddle.
Banquet and Entertainment
Wedding banquet: Guests gather together to enjoy a sumptuous feast, interspersed with traditional Chinese opera, lion dance, acrobatics and other performances, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Toasting: Newcomers are required to toast and express gratitude to each guest, and guests will also reciprocate with beautiful wishes.
After the banquet, guests will flock to the bridal chamber to play and frolic with the newlyweds, such as guessing riddles, reciting poetry, and singing duets, in order to add joy and fun to the wedding.
Traditional Chinese weddings, with their unique charm and profound cultural heritage, have become a dream wedding form for many couples. It is not just a wedding, but also a cultural journey through time and space, allowing the newlyweds to make a lifelong vow to be together in an ancient and romantic ceremony.
