The Art Of Chinese Wedding Envelopes: A Guide To Writing And Presenting

Writing Chinese wedding invitation envelopes can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to addressing relatives with the correct titles. The guest's name is written on the envelope, along with their formal title, such as Dear Uncle. It is also important to indicate whether you are inviting the guest's spouse or whole family. The use of 升 or 台升 after the name is customary as a sign of respect. The envelopes are traditionally red, embossed with a double happiness symbol.

The guest's name and title

Names and Titles

When addressing your guests, it is crucial to use their proper titles and names as a sign of respect, especially for elders. The guest's name should be written on the envelope, along with their formal title. For instance, when addressing an uncle, it is preferable to use "Dear Uncle" or "伯父大人" before their full name. Similarly, for aunts, use "Dear Aunt" or "伯母大人".

Spouse and Family Invitations

If you are inviting the guest's spouse, indicate this clearly. Address both their titles, names, and relationship to each other. For example, use "夫妇" or "伉俪" for a married couple, which can be translated as "together" in a bilingual invitation. If you are inviting the entire family, use "阖府" or "whole family/all together" after the name of the invitation recipient.

Indicating Respect

To show respect to the guest, it is customary to use "升" or "台升" after their name. "升" describes the upward presentation of the invitation card, while "台" is an old honorific reference for "brother", used to address friends or acquaintances politely.

Addressing Relatives

Addressing relatives related by marriage can be done by adding "姻亲" before their Chinese name, indicating your relationship. For instance, inviting the husband of one's sister can be written as "姻亲XXX贤妹夫" or "姻亲贤妹夫XXX 先生".

Three Generation Relationship Chart

If you are unsure of the proper Chinese title for more distant relatives, such as your paternal grandmother's sister's husband or your maternal grandmother's elder brother, refer to the Three Generation Relationship Chart. This chart will help you determine the correct titles to use when addressing these relatives in your wedding invitations.

Remember to include the guest's name and title clearly on the envelope, follow the appropriate cultural norms, and indicate if you are inviting their spouse or the whole family.

Indicate if the guest's spouse and/or family are invited

When writing Chinese wedding invitations, it is important to clearly indicate whether you are inviting the guest's spouse, their family, or both. This is because, in Chinese culture, extended families tend to live together, and wedding banquets were traditionally held at the couple's residence, so it was important to communicate the number of guests.

If you are inviting the guest's spouse, you should use the terms “夫妇“ or “伉俪“, which mean “married couple”. In a bilingual invitation, this could be translated as “together” to sound more natural.

If you are inviting the whole family, you could add “阖府” – “whole family” or “all together” after the name of the guest. For just the couple, you would write “XXX夫妇台升”, and for the whole family, you would write “XXX夫妇阖府统请”.

It is also important to follow up with the guest on how many seats to provide if you are inviting the whole family.

Use of 升, 台升, 阖府 and 夫妇

When addressing wedding invitation envelopes in Chinese, it is important to use the correct titles and forms of address for the invitees. Here is a breakdown of the use of 升, 台升, 阖府 and 夫妇:

"升" or "台升" is used after the name of the guest as a respectful form of address. "升" describes the upward presentation of the invitation card from a lower position. "台" is an honorific reference for "brother", used in polite language in the past to address one's friend or acquaintance. For example, when addressing a couple, one would write "XXX夫妇台升".

"夫妇" or "伉俪" means "married couple" and can be translated as "together" in bilingual invitations. This indicates that the guest is invited with their spouse.

"阖府" means "whole family" or "all together" and is used when inviting the entire family of the guest. For example, "XXX夫妇阖府统请" means inviting the whole family of the couple.

It is also important to note that only the guest's name is written on the envelope, and their formal title will be used. Family friends and relatives are invited by the groom's or bride's parents, while only the couple's friends are invited by the couple themselves.

Include the wedding date, time and address

When writing Chinese wedding invitations, it is important to include the wedding date, time and address. This information should be presented in both the Gregorian calendar and the Chinese calendar, and the time should be specified for both the wedding and the reception.

The date, time and address should be written in a vertical format and read from right to left. The wedding date should be written in the format: year, month, day. The time should be written in the 12-hour clock format, with the hour first, followed by the minute. For example, 7:30 pm would be written as "19:30".

The address should include the name of the venue and the ballroom or hall where the wedding banquet will take place, especially if there are multiple function rooms within the same venue. A location map can also be included to help guests find the venue easily.

"On the 15th day of the 6th month of the year 3029 (Monday), we invite you to celebrate the marriage of [names of the couple] at the Grand Hotel, Ballroom A, 123 Main Street, Chinatown."

RSVP card and envelope

When it comes to Chinese wedding RSVP cards and envelopes, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure that they are both culturally appropriate and provide your guests with all the necessary information. Here are some detailed instructions and suggestions to help you create elegant and informative RSVP cards and envelopes for your Chinese wedding:

Design and Colour:

The colour red is considered auspicious in Chinese culture, so it is customary to use red envelopes for wedding invitations and RSVP cards. You can choose from a variety of red-themed designs, such as floral borders, cherry blossoms, peonies, or Chinese characters for "double happiness". These designs can be embossed or printed on the envelopes, adding a traditional and elegant touch to your wedding stationery.

Bilingual or Multilingual Approach:

If your guest list includes a mix of Chinese and English speakers, it is considerate to write the RSVP cards in both languages. This ensures that all your guests can understand the information and feel respected. You may also include traditional Chinese phrases, such as "百年好合" ("May you live a harmonious life for a hundred years"), to convey blessings of enduring love.

Information to Include:

The RSVP card should include essential information such as the names of the guests, the wedding date and time, and the venue details. It is also important to include a respectful request for the guests' presence, such as "We would love to invite you and your family to celebrate with us". You may also include the table number if you have assigned seating.

Formatting and Tone:

Chinese wedding RSVP cards should generally convey warmth, respect, and sincerity in their tone. Using honorifics and formal language is recommended, especially when addressing elders or those with respected titles. For example, when addressing an uncle, it is appropriate to use "伯父大人" ("Dear Uncle") before their name.

Distribution and Timing:

Traditionally, Chinese wedding invitations and RSVP cards were distributed in person, especially to the elders of the family, as a sign of respect. However, if your guests live far away or overseas, sending them by mail is also acceptable. It is considered courteous to send out invitations and RSVP cards at least three months before the wedding to give your guests ample time to make plans.

Additional Considerations:

If you are hosting a Chinese-American wedding, you may also include other elements with your RSVP cards, such as wedding cake cards for the bride's family or red packets with cash gifts for the groom's family. These traditions symbolise the sharing of happiness and reciprocity of kindness.

Frequently asked questions