Types of Wedding Ceremonies: Chinese

These days, the majority of Chinese weddings in Hong Kong, North America, and Europe are Western in style, with the brides in white gowns. If the ceremony is a church wedding, it would likely be Protestant or Catholic (see Roman Catholic). Traditional Chinese elements that might be incorporated into the celebrations could include a multi-course (e.g., 12 courses) Chinese banquet, and the bride wearing a traditional silk outfit, whether a long skirt and jacket or the form-fitting chiansam with high slits up the sides of the skirt.

The traditional tea ceremony is often also observed after the church ceremony. As with most traditions and cultures, interpretations will vary depending on local custom, family history, and personal taste. Generally, the tea ceremony is regarded as the traditional Chinese marriage ceremony where the bride and groom show their respect to their elders, especially acknowledging the importance of and thanks toward their parents. Sometimes tea is served to just the groom's parents and sometimes to both sets of parents. In Hong Kong, for instance, this tradition could take place in the main sitting room of the home of the groom's parents, with the bride dressed in a scarlet red, embroidered silk outfit and often wearing a veil, too. Usually, just the more immediate family gather for this. The bride and groom would kneel together and thank heaven and earth. The bride kowtows to the groom's parents (and sometimes to her own parents, too). The groom greets the bride's parents (often without kowtowing). The bride then serves tea to the groom's father and mother. In return, the groom's parents give her a valuable gift, such as a piece of jewelry (sometimes a family heirloom or a new piece) as a symbol of acceptance into the family. The bride then bows to the groom's siblings, starting with the eldest brother and his spouse. (The hierarchy is eldest to youngest, with males preceding females.) The bride then pours tea for them, and they, in return, present her with gifts such as jewelry or lucky money in a red envelope.

For a traditional wedding in China, there were many rituals that preceded the wedding day. But on the actual date of the ceremony, the bride generally would get dressed in a red silk outfit with a red veil and be transported to the groom's home in a boxy, covered, wheel-less rickshaw-like carriage carried by one person in front and one in back. The bride's special female assistant (well familiar with wedding etiquette) would walk alongside the carriage. The procession would include gifts to take to the new home: jewelry, the bride's trousseau, a wooden trousseau chest, bedroom furniture (except for the bed, which is provided by the groom), lots of meats and dumplings. Upon arrival at the groom's home, the groom and his male relatives and friends would come out to greet the bride. The curtained opening at the front of the bridal carriage would be lifted and the female matchmaker (not the bride's special assistant) would carry the bride, piggyback, into the home. Once inside, the bride and groom would worship the groom's ancestors, after which the tea ceremony would begin. The bride's special assistant would direct her as to the proper proceedings and tasks required of her. The bride would pour tea for the eldest first, which could be the groom's grandparents who would then give her a red envelope of lucky money. After pouring tea for the groom's parents, she would likely receive jewelry from them. When the tea ceremony was complete, the feasting would begin for the whole village or community. Throughout the tea ceremony, there would be no officiator or exchange of vows.