Celebration

Wedding shows a country’s culture so much. In China, nowadays the wedding is a combination of ancient and modern traditions. In general, a Chinese wedding includes preparation, picking up the bride, a wedding ceremony and wedding reception.

In China, weddings are normally hosted by groom’s family because in ancient times Chinese marriage meant that groom’s family added a daughter and bride’s family lost a girl. The family who gets the bride will prepare a wedding. But with the implementation of the only child in China and most of new couple building up their own family, more and more bride’s families would like to prepare a wedding for their only daughter as well. A wedding needs preparing a reception place, arranging a wedding process, buying candy and gifts to guests, choosing wedding clothes, sending invitation letters, decorating the wedding scene and so on.

On the wedding day, picking up bride is the first step. The groom and groom men go to bride’s home in the early morning. The bride wears a white lace wedding dress and waits in the innermost room. At this moment, the bridesmaids will try to stop the groom which means tricking the groom and also feeling sad for the bride because she is going to leave home. Some bridesmaids block the door, some hide the bride’s shoes. The groom needs to beg all girls with red envelopes (money) and agree with and to all their conditions in order to take the bride away from her home.

At the same time, a wedding scene is being decorated with flowers and silk ribbons. There is a big table at the gate. All guests will sign their name in a signing book and leave red envelopes with money – the amount should include the numbers six, eight, or nine. When the groom and bride arrive, the wedding officially starts. The first half part is similar with Western-style customs. The bride goes to the groom accompanied by her father. And then the bride and groom will take oath in the presence of all guests. Cutting a cake and pouring champagne are very popular at the wedding. After that, a new couple will go for a rest and change to Chinese traditional clothes for the next part.

The second part of the wedding ceremony is based on Chinese traditions. The bride wears Chinese red cheongsam, because red has always been considered as the most festive colour in China. At this part, the new couple goes to their parents and serves a cup of tea to show their respect and happiness about joining a new family. They also will start calling them mom and dad. If parents accept the tea, which means they accept their marriage and then they give them the red envelopes to show their support and help. At this time, all wedding ceremony is basically completed. Some weddings have short speeches to tell guests their love story or blessing.

The wedding is going to the last part. The hospitable groom or bride’s family prepares a hearty meal for all guests. The guests also expect a wedding reception. Normally, a wedding hotel or restaurant will provide their classic dishes and wine. The groom and bride will go to each table to see every guest. The groom will go and toast to men. And the bride will serve candy to women and kids. Wedding wine and candy cannot be refused in China, because those will bring happiness and luck. At the same time, the new couple would be introduced to the other’s relatives and friends and receive their blessing.

In short, these are some traditions accompanying the Chinese wedding, which looks very lively and festive. There are both western-style oaths and Eastern ceremony. The favourite part is the delicious Chinese wedding meal. If you have a chance, try to visit China to attend a real wedding.