3 Must-know Details About Your Chinese Wedding Traditions

In every culture, there are unique and exciting wedding traditions. Even for modern-day wedding celebrations, Chinese traditions are still very essential. If you are a couple wishing to learn about how to plan your weddings with Chinese traditions, we would love to share some of the best Chinese wedding planner tips with you.

Related: An Chuang Part 1 and An Chuang Part II

Starting with Picking up the Bride

What are the items you’ll need?

Worship

• Joss sticks
• 3 cups of water or liquor
• Pig (roasted)
• Chicken (cooked)
• 1 pair of dragon and phoenix candle
• Fruits

Tea Ceremony

• Tea set
• 2 cushions
• Red Date, 
• Chinese tea
• Lotus seeds

What is the process like?

1. When the groom and his groomsmen arrive at the bride’s house, the groom will be carrying a bouquet for his bride.
2. The bridesmaid will block the door, not letting him enter the house.
3. That is when the challenging rounds of door games will take place.
4. The moment he completes all challenges, he must give every bridesmaid a red envelope in order to let him in.
5. The bridesmaid will then serve tea as the groom and his party enter the opened gate.
6. The whole time, the bride’s father will wait outside her room.
7. Next, either the Maid of Honor or the matchmaker will be bringing the bride to her father.
8. Then, the bride’s father will be the one to hand her to the groom.
9. The bride and groom will together pray to the heavens, earth, and ancestors.
10. They will then perform a tea ceremony to the bride’s parents.

Returning to the Groom’s House

What are the items you’ll need?

• Green Beans
• Red Beans
• Rice
• Red Umbrella

What is the process like?

1. The couple will be arriving at the groom’s house in the same car.
2. After crossing over the doorstep, the bride must avoid saying goodbye. She should also not look back even if she left anything. 
3. During the procession, the matchmaker or the Maid of Honor (maiden) will be the one to hold the red umbrella.
4. The opening of the umbrella represents giving many children to the groom’s family. Thus, anyone with opposite zodiac signs with the bride is prohibited to hold the red umbrella.
5. In the meantime, green beans, rice, and red beans are thrown over the car and the bride’s umbrella.

At the Groom’s House

What are the items you’ll need?

Worship

• Joss sticks
• 3 cups of water or liquor
• Pig (roasted)
• Chicken (cooked)
• 1 pair of dragon and phoenix candle
• Fruits

Tea Ceremony

• Tea set
• 2 cushions
• Red Date, 
• Chinese tea
• Lotus seeds

What is the process like?

1. Upon arriving, the groom’s parents will not meet the bride & groom right away as they enter the house.
2. When the bride and groom are inside the house, the groom’s parents will then come out of the room.
3. The bride and groom will pray for the heavens, earth, and ancestors.
4. In accordance with the family’s seniority, the bride and groom will perform the tea ceremony.
5. The couple will then have lunch together with the groom’s family.
6. The groom’s parents should prepare the following numbers of dishes for lunch:

• 6 dishes – means infinity
• 8 dishes – means wealth
• 9 dishes – means long-lasting love

Having a Chinese-speaking wedding planner would be very helpful in planning out a perfect Chinese traditional wedding. You can learn more by contacting our team.

You may also be interested in the topics of hair-combing ceremonies, tea ceremonies, and door games. In that case, we would always love to share with you some of the best Chinese wedding planner tips for each topic.

READY TO MAKE THE NEXT STEP? LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR EVENT!