Chinese Wedding Etiquette
According to the website "chcp.org/wedding," there is a unique etiquette as well as a many traditions that set Chinese weddings apart from other cultures. From the attire to the traditions and banquet after the ceremony itself, this culture's weddings are loaded with moving, powerful traditions and actions that make it truly something to behold.
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Ancient Chinese Wedding Etiquette (c. 402 b.c.)
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As stated by the website "travelchinaguide.com," ancient Chinese weddings were commenced with the bridal party meeting the soon-to-be bride at her family home. It would be here that the bride, along with her mother, would traditionally weep privately. This act traditionally meant that a young bride was reluctant to leave the protection and comfort of her parents' home.
This would have taken place after any sort of dowry was paid to the bride's family. According to the website "chinabridal.com," this dowry, called with "Guo Da Li" or "grand gift," was paid by the groom's family and represented eventual fertility and prosperity for the couple in Chinese culture.
Tea Ceremony Etiquette
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Serving tea to certain family members of both the bride and groom signifies respect and is a tradition that dates back many centuries. Tea is likely served also because it is the national drink of China. It is served after the ceremony itself.
As for the type of tea served, according to the website "chcp.org," it is usually made from lotus seeds and two red dates. It is believed that these particular ingredients will help to eventually bless the couple of children, therefore giving many grandchildren to the parents of the bride and groom. Further, the dates in the tea are sweet, and signify a hoped-for sweetness of relations between the bride and her future family.
When the tea itself is served, it is done so first by the bride to her parents. This again signifies respect but also the gratitude of the bride for her parents having raised her.
Next, tea is served by both the bride and the groom to their familial elders. They are summoned to drink this tea by the new couple, and are usually addressed by formal title, such as father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, great aunt or uncle. When the tea is served, the bride will kneel in front of her father. The groom will kneel in front of his mother.
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Wedding Banquet Etiquette
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Familial pride is a big issue in regards to wedding banquets and, as claimed by the website "chinese-poems.com," has been known to cause a tremendous amount of conflict between the families of the bride and of the groom. This is due to the fact that tradition dictates the cost of the banquet to fall on the shoulders of the groom's family. If the bride's family chooses to invite multitudes of their family and friends, this can be of financial concern to the groom's family. Regardless of this fact, the groom's family would not want to "lose face" in the eyes of the bride's family and would likely allow this. In their culture, it is crucial to be respected by others. An ornate wedding banquet is a symbol of this respect.
Bride's Attire
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In Northern China, a traditional wedding gown is a one-piece design and is called the "Qi Pao." Essentially, Qi Pao refers to any wedding gown in Chinese culture. It will have ornate gold and silver designs on it, often of dragons and phoenix birds.
Brides hailing from the South will often wear gowns entitled "Qun Gua," "Kwa" or "Cheonsam." These terms refer to a traditional bridal gown as well, but simply those worn by brides from the Southern region.
The color of both regions' gowns is typically red, again symbolizing the color that China is so strongly identified with.
In both regions, the phoenix and dragon all signify dignity, good fortune and luck.
In modern weddings, occasionally the bride will be adorned in Western attire, negating the traditional Chinese bridal attire completely.
Bridegroom's Attire
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According to the webstie "chinese.weddings.com," the attire that a groom typically wears for his wedding is decidedly less ornate than his future wife's dress. Most often he will don a silk coat, often in black, which will cover a dark-blue robe. The robe will normally have a design of a dragon emblazoned on it. Additionally, he will utilize a black cap designed with red tassels. There are some men who choose to forego the overcoat and simply wear a dark-blue robe.
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References
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