What Can You Expect at a Chinese Wedding?

1

In a Chinese wedding, there isn’t a signing of the marriage certificate after saying the vows, as this is done beforehand at the registrar's office at the local government’s office. You will find that the ceremony is more of a presentation of the couple. Sometimes, the couple will have been legally married for weeks, sometimes years, before the wedding ceremony takes place.

2

Well, you must have seen couples in the parks or famous landmarks in wedding attire getting photos taken. This is for the wedding album and/or banners at the wedding. The wedding album contains more romantic scenes than photos taken at the actual wedding. These photos are usually displayed at the wedding ceremony and at the couple's home later on.

3

Couples won’t have a registry of the things you can give for gifts but the custom is to give the couple money in red envelopes (or hongbao). The money shouldn’t be in multiples of four as this is considered a sign of bad luck. Additional note by editor: In these cases, the number 9 has a nice ring to it, because it sounds like "long-lasting" in Chinese, as in the phrase 长长久久 (Zhǎng cháng jiǔjiǔ).

KEEP READING: Hongbao 101: A Guide To Gifting and Receiving

4

Most Chinese weddings will have a box filled with whatever the couple picks out. The favors are given or picked up at the end when the couple sees you off and gives thanks for attending, or leaves it at your seat when you arrive. Traditional party favors include candy and cigarettes, but nowadays they can include finer gifts like custom-designed toiletries, perfumes, or jewelry for guests to remember the special day.

5

Traditionally, wearing white was a big no-no as that’s reserved for funerals. However, now even the bride wears white. Dark colors such as black, dark blue, or gray should still be avoided as people don’t wear this. You can’t go wrong with anything red. Red is associated with success, prosperity, love, and loyalty – that’s why most of the decorations will also be red. Gold is also a good choice to pick as this is associated with wealth and fortune.

Couples will change attire twice, switching between Western and the Chinese qipao, depending on the preferences of what they want to wear and when.

6

Baijiu is serious business! At weddings, the newlywed will take a lap around the hall to toast with every table if not with every guest.

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