Rhiannon Hendricks
Chinese weddings are lively, colourful, and lavish affairs, marked by rituals and customs. The wedding banquet, or reception, is a grand celebration with at least 100 guests, and is often considered more important than the wedding itself. The banquet features symbolic foods, such as whole fish for abundance, suckling pig to symbolise the bride's purity, and sweet lotus seeds for fertility. The bride and groom change outfits multiple times throughout the banquet, and there are often fireworks and lion dancers to ward off evil spirits and bring happiness to the couple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of guests | At least 100, with larger banquets having several hundred |
| Seating arrangement | Guests are seated at round tables |
| Dress code | The bride wears red called a qipao and covers her face with a red veil; the groom wears a red gown |
| Food | Whole fish for abundance, suckling pig to symbolize the bride's purity, poultry for peace and unity, and sweet lotus seeds for fertility |
| Number of courses | Six or eight |
| Drinks | Joyful wine (xǐ-jǐu) |
| Gifts | Gold dragon and phoenix bangles, pig necklaces, money |
| Entertainment | Fireworks, lion dancers, Beijing Opera |
| Slideshow | Childhood photos of the couple |
| Toast | Raucous "yam seng" (cheers) made towards the end of the reception |
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What You'll Learn
Food and symbolism
Food plays a significant role in Chinese wedding receptions, with various dishes symbolising blessings for the newlyweds. The wedding banquet is a lavish affair, traditionally hosted by the couple's parents and consisting of eight auspicious courses. Eight is considered a lucky number, as it rhymes with "prosperity", "good luck", and "fertility" in Chinese.
The menu features symbolic dishes such as a whole fish, representing abundance and fertility, with the Chinese word for fish, "yu", sounding like the word for plenty. A suckling pig is served to symbolise the bride's purity and chastity, while poultry dishes like chicken or duck represent peace and unity. Crab, abalone, and sea cucumber are also popular choices, symbolising smooth sailing and close family ties for the couple. The Mandarin word for abalone sounds like the word for abundance, and the Cantonese word for sea cucumber is similar to the word for a good heart.
Noodles, a staple at Chinese New Year and other occasions, symbolise longevity, while rice represents a plentiful supply of food for the couple throughout their married life. Serving prawns or shrimp, pronounced "ha" in Chinese, is believed to generate laughter and happiness among friends.
Desserts are equally symbolic, with sweet lotus seed desserts or soups representing fertility and growth, and red bean soups or buns symbolising happiness and sweetness in the relationship. The colour red is prominent, as it signifies happiness and good fortune.
In addition to the food, the number of guests is also significant. Leftovers are considered desirable, as they demonstrate the family's prosperity and generosity, ensuring no one goes home hungry. Takeout boxes are often provided at the end of the banquet to ensure any leftover food is not wasted.
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Clothing and colour
Chinese weddings are vibrant, colourful occasions steeped in rich history and tradition. While no two ceremonies will ever look exactly the same, there are some common customs that guests can educate themselves on before the wedding.
Clothing choices for Chinese weddings depend on the venue, theme, and preferences of the couple. Some couples are more modern and may be fine with guests wearing certain colours. Others are more traditional and could be offended. If in doubt, check in with the couple, or someone close to them, such as a family member or a member of the wedding party.
It is important to note that in Chinese culture, colour plays a significant role. Thus, it is crucial not to offend the couple by wearing the wrong colours. Red, for instance, symbolises happiness, joy, and prosperity. Brides often wear multiple dresses during a Chinese wedding ceremony, and one of them is usually red. Therefore, guests should avoid wearing any shade of red to a Chinese wedding, as it may be seen as disrespectful and an attempt to compete for attention with the bride.
Similarly, black and white, or any colours that could pass as white, such as cream or very pale colours, should be avoided, as these colours symbolise death and mourning, and therefore, bad luck for the couple. Dark and sombre colours like dark blue, black, and grey should also be avoided. Warm colours like purple, peach, and pink symbolise new life and happiness, so they are great options for guests. Orange and yellow are also acceptable colours. Gold symbolises wealth and fortune and is considered lucky in Chinese culture, so gold accessories can also be worn.
In terms of dress code, guests at Chinese weddings do not have to wear formal wear unless they are part of the wedding party. The wedding banquet, which is equivalent to the wedding reception in Western culture, is a grand affair with at least 100 guests. Women usually wear knee-length dresses and high heels, similar to what a woman in the US might wear to an upscale event.
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Traditions and rituals
Chinese wedding receptions, or banquets, are a grand affair, with at least 100 guests, and are sometimes considered more important than the wedding ceremony itself. The banquet is hosted by the couple's parents and consists of symbolic, auspicious foods, such as a whole fish for abundance, suckling pig to symbolise the bride's purity, poultry for peace and unity, and sweet lotus seeds for fertility.
The wedding day usually begins with the "'Picking up of the Bride'" and the Tea Ceremony, which is considered one of the biggest components of a traditional Chinese wedding. During this ceremony, the couple shows respect and gratitude to their parents, and the families are formally introduced. The bride and groom serve tea to their elders, who impart well-wishes and advice, and the couple is then presented with a red envelope containing money and sometimes jewellery.
Another important tradition is the selection of an auspicious date for the wedding, for which many couples will consult a fortune teller, Chinese monk, or Feng Shui master. The couple's zodiac signs and birthdays will also be considered when choosing the date.
The An Chuang, or installation of the bridal bed, usually takes place two to three days before the wedding. A "good luck woman" or "good luck man", someone with many children and living parents, will dress the bed in new red bedding and pillows with a mix of dried fruits and nuts to symbolise a sweet and long-lasting marriage blessed with fertility.
Other rituals include the "'Hair Dressing'" and "Capping" of the bride and groom, which symbolise their initiation into adulthood, and the presentation of betrothal gifts from the groom to the bride's parents, which are then returned in part to accept the proposal and show good faith.
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Gifts and well-wishes
Gifts
The Chinese tea ceremony is a key tradition at Chinese weddings. The ceremony can take place at a single location or separately at the homes of the bride and groom. A bridesmaid or a lady of good fortune will give the couple a red tea set with the Double Happiness symbol, containing sweetened black tea. The couple will then kneel or bow and serve tea to their parents, serving the groom's family first. After sipping their tea, the couple will be offered a red envelope containing money or gold jewellery to bless their union and officially welcome the couple to the family.
Pigs are favoured in Chinese culture as they are associated with happiness, luck, and prosperity. A 24-karat gold pig necklace is often gifted to the bride to symbolise fertility and wish her a wealthy and abundant marriage.
Well-wishes
During the wedding banquet, it is considered polite and respectful to give blessings through words. A classic well-wish is 'Congratulations on your happy marriage!' which can be translated from Chinese to 'a match made in heaven'. This phrase is used by guests older than the couple when they want to comment on how compatible the newlyweds are. Another well-wish is to wish the couple to 'build a home', which symbolises living harmoniously together.
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Planning and timing
Planning a Chinese wedding reception involves incorporating many symbolic rituals and customs that focus on blessings of prosperity, abundance, and happiness for the couple. The wedding banquet, or reception, is a grand affair with at least 100 guests and is typically a lavish and expensive celebration.
The wedding date is of utmost importance, and many couples will consult a fortune teller, Chinese monk, or Feng Shui master to choose an auspicious date according to the lunar calendar. The couple's birthdays and zodiac signs are also considered when selecting the wedding date.
The wedding banquet is usually held in the evening and consists of several symbolic dishes: a whole fish for abundance, a suckling pig to symbolise the bride's purity, poultry for peace and unity, and sweet lotus seeds for fertility. The banquet is typically an eight-course meal, and the bride changes into a red qipao (a long Chinese wedding dress) halfway through. There is also a slideshow of childhood photos from both the bride and groom, and a raucous "yam seng" (cheers) toast to congratulate the groom and wish the couple well.
In terms of timing, a Chinese wedding can last an entire day due to the numerous traditions and rituals involved. A modern Chinese wedding usually takes place in one day, but can last up to three days if more traditional customs are included. It is common for couples to extend the festivities with pre-arranged photoshoots before the wedding day to ensure they get the perfect shots.
The wedding reception is a time for feasting and celebrating, with guests seated at round tables. The bride and groom are usually greeted at the door by their guests, and there is an exchange of gifts and well-wishes. The groom traditionally decorates the car and fetches the bride, and they travel to the reception together. During the wedding ceremony, the couple may exchange rings and share a drink of Tsao Chün tea, with their arms crossed, as part of Chinese traditional rituals. The family are the only guests invited to this intimate ceremony, but once the banquet begins, the rest of the guests join in.
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Frequently asked questions
Chinese wedding receptions, or banquets, are lavish affairs, with at least 100 guests and lots of rituals and customs. The banquet is often considered more important than the wedding itself. The food is a key part of the reception, with symbolic dishes like whole fish for abundance, suckling pig to symbolise the bride's purity, and sweet lotus seeds for fertility. There are usually six to eight courses, and the bride and groom change their clothes between the third and sixth courses.
Guests should be aware that red is a significant colour in Chinese culture, symbolising happiness, prosperity, and good luck. It is common for the bride to wear red, so guests should avoid wearing this colour.
In Chinese culture, it is customary to only gift money to the couple.
Chinese weddings are lively and colourful, with lots of music and firecrackers. The bride and groom will also be expected to perform a tea ceremony, where they serve tea to their parents and each other.
