In ancient China, before the advent of cars or even bicycles, sedan chairs were used to carry people from place to place. Sedan chairs, or jiaozi, were small boxes or rooms big enough to seat one or two people, which were carried by several pallbearers using long poles that protruded from the box. Sedan chairs [...]
The feast at a traditional Chinese wedding is both playful and exciting. This is a time for the couple’s families to display their wealth and joy over the marriage and to delight in the couple’s love for one another. It is also a time for the guests to show their encouragement for the couple’s new [...]
Chinese weddings are extravagant, vibrant affairs and decorations play a huge part in making the day feel and look special. There are several venues that will need decoration, including the homes of both families, the bridal chamber and the reception site. The bridal chamber is quite easy to decorate, and should be embellished with the [...]
One of the most important things that a couple having a traditional Chinese wedding must attend to is their wedding date. Unlike in the West, where wedding dates are chosen solely on convenience and whim of the couple’s own interests, Chinese tradition suggests that some dates are luckier than others for holding a wedding. Choosing [...]
Traditionally, Chinese brides change outfits several times throughout the course of their wedding day. Though historically some women would change dresses up to 30 times in one wedding, modern brides usually include between two and four costume changes as part of their weddings. Western influence has played a role in many modern brides’ choices to [...]
In addition to the exchange of gifts between the couple’s families, guests to a Chinese wedding are expected to bring gifts. There is a particular set of know-how with regard to choosing, giving and accepting gifts at a traditional Chinese wedding, with some types of gifts favored over others and some types to be avoided [...]
So, the big day is over and you’ve been blissfully married to your love. Now what? Though the chaos of the wedding day might be over, there’s still more to come. Chinese tradition stipulates that several rituals be performed in the days following the wedding ceremony to make sure that appreciation has been shown to [...]
Chinese weddings start early in the morning, with special events continuing throughout the day, ending with a reception in the evening. The list of traditions and order that they should be performed can be confusing, especially as many modern couples modify the order of events for a more contemporary feel. The following list gives an [...]
Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. So much thought and preparation goes into planning for the big day, but what about those special customs that come in the days beforehand? Traditional Chinese weddings include a variety of activities that go on before the couple’s special day. Choose auspicious dates [...]
In the west, we often refer to getting married as ‘tying the knot’, which refers to the ancient custom of preparing the couple’s wedding bed by securing the hinges with ropes. In China, couples tie the red ribbon – literally! During the act of saying vows, the couple drinks from two goblets tied together by [...]