Traditional Chinese Wedding Banquet

Chinese beads are often used as decorations at Chinese wedding banquets.

Chinese culture is an essential part of any traditional Chinese wedding banquet. According to Chinese culture, a marriage is the joining of not only two people, but of two families as well. Planning a wedding banquet is the job of both families.

Food

A Chinese wedding banquet has eight courses plus dessert. Chinese food symbolizes wishes of happiness, longevity or fertility. A Chinese wedding banquet starts with appetizers, such as jellyfish, sliced meats and nuts, and ends with dessert, which ensures the married couple will have a sweet life.

Games

There are two types of wedding games: door games and reception/bridal chamber games. Door games include singing love songs loudly, eating spicy foods and doing some sort of physical exercises. Reception/bridal chamber games are very risqué games. One such game is Tongue Twister. A banana is hung on a string. The couple must then peel it, using only their tongues. The DJ oversees the games and chooses the appropriate music.

Music

A traditional wedding banquet includes current music genres, as well as Mandarin or Cantonese music. Traditionally, a small band will shadow the bride as she travels from her home to the groom's home. The band includes gongs, cymbals and Chinese flutes.

References

• Chinese Historical and Cultural Project: Chinese Wedding Foods

Resources

• China Bridal: Chinese Wedding Frequently Asked Questions, for Brides & Groom