Weddings are a joyous celebration of love and commitment, and Chinese weddings are no exception. With a history dating back over 2,000 years, Chinese wedding traditions and customs are steeped in rich cultural heritage and symbolism.
From the betrothal ceremony to the wedding banquet, each stage of a traditional Chinese wedding has its own unique customs and rituals that reflect the values and beliefs of Chinese society. 
The Betrothal Ceremony
In Chinese culture, the betrothal ceremony is a significant event that marks the formal engagement between the two families. It usually occurs several months before the wedding day and involves gift exchanges between the two families.
During the betrothal ceremony, the groom’s family presents gifts to the bride’s family as a sign of respect and goodwill. The betrothal letter is a crucial part of the gift exchange, which outlines the groom’s family’s intention to marry their son to the bride. It typically contains information about the groom’s family background, financial status, and other relevant details.
Along with the betrothal letter, a red packet of money is also presented, symbolising good luck and prosperity. Other gifts may include items such as dried seafood, dried fruit, and roasted pig, which are believed to bring good fortune and abundance to the bride’s family.
The bride’s family reciprocates by presenting gifts to the groom’s family, which may include tea, dragon and phoenix candles, and jewellery for the bride. Tea is a traditional gift that symbolises respect and gratitude towards the groom’s family. Dragon and phoenix candles represent the bride and groom, respectively, and are believed to bring good luck and happiness to the couple. Jewellery for the bride, such as a necklace or bracelet, is a common gift that signifies the bride’s acceptance of the proposal.
Overall, the betrothal ceremony is a significant and formal event that solidifies the commitment between the two families. It represents the beginning of a new chapter in the couple’s lives and is an essential step towards the wedding day.
The Wedding Day
On the day of the wedding, the groom will typically arrive at the bride’s home to escort her to the wedding ceremony. However, before he is allowed to enter, the groom must first pass a series of tests set by the bride’s family, known as the “door games.”
These games often involve physical challenges or riddles that the groom and his groomsmen must complete before being allowed to enter the bride’s home. This tradition reflects the importance of the bride’s family in the wedding process and serves as a way to test the groom’s dedication to his future wife.
Once the groom has passed the door games, he will then escort the bride to the wedding ceremony, typically held at a temple or the home of the groom’s family.
The Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony in Chinese culture is rich in symbolism and tradition, with each element representing a particular aspect of the union between the two families. One of the most important rituals is the Tea Ceremony, where the newlyweds serve tea to their parents as a sign of respect and gratitude. This ceremony symbolises the formal introduction of the newlyweds to their respective families and the joining of the two families as one.
Bride’s Dress
The bride’s dress also holds a significant meaning in the Chinese wedding ceremony. She wears a red qipao, a traditional Chinese dress symbolising luck and happiness. The colour red is considered auspicious in Chinese culture, as it represents good fortune and prosperity. The groom, on the other hand, will wear a black or blue silk robe, symbolising fidelity and masculinity.
During the ceremony, the couple will also exchange vows and rings, which represent the eternal love and commitment between them. The rings are considered a symbol of unending love and are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, which is believed to be the vein that connects directly to the heart.
In addition to the Tea Ceremony and exchange of vows and rings, there are other important elements in a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony. These may include a lion dance or dragon dance, which are performed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to the newlyweds.
The Wedding Banquet
After the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds and their families will usually gather for a wedding banquet, considered the most crucial part of the wedding celebration. The banquet is a grand affair that typically includes traditional Chinese entertainment, such as lion dances and dragon dances.
The banquet is usually held in a large banquet hall, and the newlyweds are seated at the head table along with their parents and other close family members. Guests are typically seated at round tables decorated with floral arrangements and red tablecloths, symbolising good luck and prosperity.
The banquet is typically a lavish affair, with a wide range of dishes served to guests. Traditional dishes such as seafood, roasted meats, and other delicacies are commonly featured. The quality and variety of food served are often used to showcase the family’s wealth and social status.
In addition to the food, guests are also expected to give red envelopes containing money as a gift to the newlyweds. The amount of money given is usually an even number, as odd numbers are considered unlucky in Chinese culture. The red envelope symbolises good luck and prosperity, which is a way for guests to offer their congratulations and best wishes to the newlyweds.
Overall, the wedding banquet is an essential part of the Chinese wedding tradition, serving as a way for the families to celebrate the union of the two families and to show off their social status and wealth. It is a grand affair that is steeped in tradition and symbolism, and it is a significant milestone in the couple’s lives.
Lucky Colors And Auspicious Symbols
Lucky Colors and Auspicious Symbols are deeply rooted in Chinese culture and play an important role in many aspects of daily life, including weddings, festivals, and other celebrations. These colours and symbols are believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and success and are often incorporated into clothing, decorations, and other aspects of the celebrations.
In Chinese culture, red is considered the luckiest and most auspicious colour. It is associated with happiness, wealth, and good fortune and is often used in decorations such as lanterns and banners. Gold and yellow are also considered lucky colours, representing prosperity and success.
Auspicious symbols are also important in Chinese culture and are often used in decorations and clothing during special occasions. The dragon and phoenix are two of the most popular symbols, representing power and grace, respectively. The double happiness symbol is often used at weddings, symbolising the union of two people and their families. The Chinese character for “fu,” meaning good fortune, is another popular symbol that is often displayed upside down, as the word for “upside down” in Chinese sounds similar to the word for “arrive.”
Using lucky colours and auspicious symbols is an essential aspect of Chinese culture, representing the desire for good fortune and prosperity. Whether it’s a wedding, festival, or other celebration, incorporating these colours and symbols is believed to bring good luck and happiness to everyone involved.
Photographs
Photographs are visual representations that capture moments in time, preserving memories and telling stories that can be cherished for a lifetime. In Chinese culture, photographs are often taken during special occasions such as weddings, festivals, and family gatherings and are considered a meaningful way to commemorate these events.
Wedding photographs, in particular, are highly valued in Chinese culture, with many couples opting to take formal photos before and after their Chinese wedding ceremonies. These photos are often taken in scenic locations and feature the couple dressed in traditional wedding attire, as well as more modern outfits.
Family photographs are also popular in Chinese culture, with many families gathering for formal portraits during important milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries. These photographs often feature multiple generations of family members, highlighting the importance of family and tradition in Chinese culture.
In addition to personal photographs, Chinese photographers have also made significant contributions to the field of photography. The works of Chinese photographers such as Ren Hang and Fan Ho have gained international recognition for their unique perspectives and artistic styles.
Overall, photographs play an important role in Chinese culture, serving as a way to document and celebrate important moments in life. Whether they are formal portraits or candid snapshots, photographs are treasured for their ability to capture memories and tell stories for generations to come.
Evolution of Chinese Wedding Customs
The Chinese wedding customs have a long history and have undergone significant changes over time. Traditionally, Chinese weddings were elaborate affairs that involved several customs and rituals. Today, many of these traditions have evolved or been replaced by modern practices. Here are some of the significant changes in Chinese wedding customs over time:
Ancient China
In ancient China, marriages were often arranged by parents or matchmakers, and the bride and groom had little say in the matter. The wedding ceremony typically involved the bride’s family providing a dowry and the groom’s family paying a bride price. During the ceremony, the bride and groom have to kneel before the ancestral altar and bow to their parents and ancestors. The bride would then be escorted to the groom’s family home, where she would live with her husband’s family.
Tang Dynasty
During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), weddings became more elaborate and included customs such as the bride wearing a phoenix crown and the groom wearing a dragon robe. The bride’s dowry was also expected to include items such as clothing, jewellery, and household items.
Ming Dynasty
During the Ming Dynasty, which lasted from 1368-1644 AD, Chinese weddings became more standardised with the implementation of specific rules and rituals. The rules apply to all aspects of the wedding ceremony and the Chinese wedding party, including clothing, location, and date.
One of the most notable rules was that the bride and groom had to wear specific colours: red for the bride and blue for the groom. Red symbolised happiness and good luck, while blue was associated with masculinity and strength.
The Ming Dynasty marked a significant shift in the way Chinese weddings were celebrated, with the introduction of standardised rules and rituals that aimed to ensure a happy and prosperous marriage.
20th Century
In the 20th Century, Chinese wedding customs underwent significant changes due to the influence of Western culture. For example, many couples began to choose their own partners rather than having arranged marriages. The wedding ceremony also became more Westernised, with brides wearing white dresses and grooms wearing suits. However, many traditional customs, such as the tea ceremony, where the bride and groom serve tea to their parents, and the exchange of gifts and red envelopes, have remained popular.
Modern Times
In modern times, Chinese weddings have become even more diverse and personalised. Couples are now incorporating their own unique traditions and customs into their weddings, such as incorporating elements of their regional culture or incorporating non-traditional elements such as sky lanterns or flash mobs. Additionally, many couples are opting for more intimate weddings or even eloping.
Overall, Chinese wedding customs have undergone significant changes over time, reflecting changes in society and cultural influences. While many traditional customs have remained popular, couples are now incorporating their own unique traditions and making their weddings more personalised and individualistic.
Drawing to a Close: Final Reflections on Chinese Wedding Culture
In conclusion, traditional Chinese wedding ceremony customs are steeped in rich cultural heritage and symbolism. From the betrothal ceremony to the wedding banquet, each stage of a traditional Chinese wedding has its own unique customs and rituals that reflect the values and beliefs of Chinese society.
While these customs have evolved over time to reflect changes in Chinese society and culture, they remain an important part of Chinese cultural heritage and continue to be celebrated by couples and families around the world.
Whether you are of Chinese descent or simply interested in exploring the rich cultural heritage of a typical Chinese wedding, taking the time to learn about these customs and traditions can provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of the beauty and significance of traditional Chinese weddings.
