Chinese Wedding Traditions

Having a traditional Chinese wedding will result in weeks of preparation and celebration in the old Chinese wedding tradition. What first will happen is that the parents of the Bride and Groom will meet and discuss if this is a good match financially. The Bride and Groom at the moment have not met. If it is agreed that they will be a good match the next step in Chinese wedding tradition is for the groom’s family to bake cakes given out to the bride’s family as a form of Chinese wedding invitations. The bride will then go into seclusion and make a traditional Chinese wedding bed in a separate part of the home called the “cock loft” where she will spend time with close family and friends lamenting her departure from her family.

When it comes time for the wedding day Chinese wedding traditions has the groom riding in a blue chair to get the bride from her house and pick her up in a red chair. The tradition of a Chinese wedding dictates that the wedding gown of the bride is a shirt and skirt in red with red shoes. The Chinese wedding dress is much different than European wedding dress, but done well holds much beautiful culture. While the bride is leaving the ladies who were watching over her will have Chinese wedding baskets filled with rice to throw into her chair.

Chinese wedding tradition then has the bride and groom have a very simple ceremony declaring their bond. The bride and groom are then taken back to the Chinese wedding bed. In Chinese wedding tradition the bed will be frolicked upon by children and covered with pomegranate seeds as a symbol over fertility. The Chinese wedding bed is open to the public for up to three days so friends my come and taunt the bride and groom. The bride and groom then attend different receptions held by the separate families to celebrate their love.

If you want to incorporate this Chinese wedding tradition into your wedding you could update it by sending e-card greetings with pictures of cakes announcing your engagement, search for Chinese wedding beds + reproductions thereof online for your new home, incorporate the Chinese wedding tradition of red into your cards and gown. Including pieces of your traditional Chinese wedding heritage into your American wedding will make it all the more meaningful for you and your family.