Want
to put some Chinese inspirations to your wedding? Here are some
ideas, combining both the classical and modern ways of celebrating
weddings.
Attire
Cheongsam
Traditional
chinese wedding dress attire includes beautiful brocade
Qi Pau (Chinese jacket) and Cheongsam.
Cheongsams gown is a slim fitting chinese dress
that has two side slits for walking. For men, the style
is called a Da Gua, a front-closing tunics that
are either hip or knee length
If
you do not wish to follow the traditional designs for
your own bridal attire, you may use them in your attendants'
clothing. You may have your groomsmen wear the tunics
and your bridesmaids the Cheongsams.
Invitation
You can put a Chinese flair on your invitations by using
any of the following symbols: Double Happiness, Dragon
and Phoenix.
Moving away from the usual and simple double happiness
red invitations, here are some of our invitation suggestions:
•
Use deep red color and shape the invitations to popular
Chinese items: parasol, fan, lantern, etc. •
Use
white color and put subtle design or imprint of cherry
blossoms (or any other Chinese flowers) and chinese
bamboo. •
Put
the Chinese inspiration on the envelope seal.
Fan-shaped
invitation
Flowers and Plants
In Chinese culture, flowers are not only the objects of beauty
but symbols of life, happiness, and fertility. If you want
to infuse your wedding with the Oriental beauty of Chinese
flowers, here are some suggestions:
Red Roses
In contrast to the Western wedding, white flowers are considered
the symbol of death and are used only for funerals. On the
other hand, red is the symbol of ultimate joy in Chinese culture.
Use red roses or other red flowers either as bouquet, church
aisle décor, or table centerpieces.
Peonies Red
peonies
A
symbol of spring and renewed life, peonies come in different
colors and varieties. Peonies are called the ‘Flowers
of Riches and Honour’ in Chinese, and are the symbols
of love and affection, as well as emblems of feminine
beauty. The bright red peony, in particular, is auspicious,
bringing with it luck and good fortune.
Blossoms
Blossoms are also considered auspicious flowers. They symbolize
life, growth and prosperity. The peach blossom is the most
auspicious of all plants, as the peach in Chinese culture
is a symbol of long life and is regarded as the strongest
defense against evil. Should your peach blossom bloom during
the New Year celebration, it is a sure sign that the year
ahead will be one of good fortune.
Narcissus
Other common names of this joyful flower are daffodil
and jonquil. These symbols of spring represent change
and end of hibernation, and are perfect for spring weddings.
Yellow narcissus
Orchids
Orchids, being exotic and fragrant, are an excellent choice
for Chinese weddings. The orchid is the Chinese symbol of
love and fertility, a perfect token for weddings.
Lotuses
The closed inner petals and open ring of outer petals of the
lotus blossoms represent four virtues: scent, purity, softness,
and loveliness.
Kumquat Tree
Kumquat Trees
In Chinese, the kumquat is called Gam Gat Sue.
The word Gam rhymes with the Chinese word for
gold, and the word Gat rhymes with the Chinese
word for luck. The tiny green leaves of this plant symbolize
wealth. Also, the shape of the small oranges is a symbol
of unity and perfection.
Use red roses, peonies, blossoms, or narcissus flowers
(or combinations of any of these) either for bouquets,
table centerpieces, or pew and chair decors. Make nice
corsages out of blossoms and orchids. Have orchids and/or
lotuses float on colored glass bowls of water, with
lighted candle, to make wonderful, romantic centerpieces.
Finally, use kumquat trees as pew or reception
décor.
Table
Setup
You can opt for a simple centerpiece design such as
Chinese bamboo plants. If you want something more elaborate,
create centerpieces decorated with Chinese flowers or
Chinese lanterns.
Go for red table linens instead of white or have table
napkins with Chinese designs. Last but not the least,
have your guests eat in the most elegant Chinaware and
serve champagne in cherry-red flutes.
Chinese bamboo centerpiece
Miniature lanterns on dried branches
Food
Chinese wedding banquets are known for their extravagance
and splendor. The wedding banquet is a significant way
for the groom's family to show off for family and friends
by throwing a generous party.
At
a Chinese wedding banquet, eight dishes are usually
Chinese-inspired wedding cake
served
– not including the dessert. In Chinese,
the word “eight” sounds like “good
luck.” Plan an eight-course meal for the
reception, plus dessert. Include such foods as
fish, roasted suckling pig, lobster and chicken.
Did
you know?
- Fish means
abundance.
- Roast suckling pig
symbolizes bride's purity.
- Pigeon implies
peaceful future
- Lobster and chicken
is a yin yang and represents a balance that
must be met like the marriage of man and
woman.
Lights and Sounds
Use Chinese lanterns to lighten your reception. Add
musical strains of instrumental Chinese songs to create
an Oriental but romantic effect.
Reception
Program
Unity Altar
A beautiful Chinese alternative to a unity candle is
to join two altars. Have
Cherry lanterns
the immediate family members kneel with the bride
and groom at the joined altar as a symbol of unity and joining
families. Note that for Chinese, marriage is more about the
families joined than the couple themselves.
Lion Dance
Ask a lion dance team to perform at the wedding to bring good
luck and to ward off evil spirits. The lion presents a scroll
with a calligraphy message wishing the couple good luck.
Did
you know?
The ancient Chinese believed that lotus
seeds and two red dates in the tea
would help the newlyweds produce children
early in their marriage, and the sweetness
of the special tea also ensures sweet relations
between the bride and her new family.
Tea Ceremony
Plan a tea ceremony during the wedding, in which the
newlyweds serve tea together to the groom's parents
as a sign of respect.
Door Games
Lastly, do the door games. The door game originated
from ancient time that shows that the bride’s family
and friends do not want to marry her away.
Traditionally,
the groom will be blocked at the bride's door, and her friends
will try to stop him from entering by asking questions about
the bride, a way to test if he really cares about her. Innovate
on this tradition by having the wedding attendants and guests
join to make the games more fun and lively.
Wedding Favors
The simplest way to put a Chinese flavor to your wedding
favors is the use of any of the following symbols: Double
Happiness, Dragon and Phoenix.
Chinese
wedding favors include everything from chopsticks,
to lucky coins to wood fans. You can even use
take out boxes as wedding favor ideas.
Wedding Guest Book
Chinese guest book
The
Chinese traditional guestbook is not made of paper,
but silk!
Purchase a large red square of lightweight silk
and a brushpen and ink. Have guests sign this
cloth "guestbook" for a keepsake to
last a lifetime.
Special Effects
Chinese celebrations always include firecrackers to
scare away evil spirits. Before the couple crosses the
threshold during the recessional, long chains of firecrackers
suspended on a stick are lit for several minutes.
Recommended
Reading
Bridal
Guide Magazine's How to Plan the Perfect
Wedding...Without Going Broke
