There’s a strong possibility that you might get that invitation to a wedding for a Chinese neighbor, colleague, or school mate. Unlike weddings in your home country, weddings in China have their own etiquette that you need to know. Here are seven things you need to know about attending a Chinese wedding:
Witness
In a Chinese wedding, there isn’t a signing of the marriage certificate after saying the vows as this is done before hand at the registrars office at the local government’s office. You will find that the ceremony is more of a presentation of the couple.
Photographs
Well, you must have seen couples in the parks or famous landmarks in wedding attire getting photos taken; well this is for the wedding album and/or banners at the wedding. The wedding album contains more romantic scenes then photo taken at the actual wedding.
Gifts
Couple’s won’t have a registry of the things you can give for gifts but the custom in to give the couple money in red envelopes. The money shouldn’t be in multiples of four as this is considered a sign of bad luck.
Favors
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 thanks you for attending.
Colors
Traditionally wearing white was a big no-no as that’s the 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 attires twice switching between western and the Chinese qipao, depending on the preferences of what they want to wear and when.
Alcohol
Baijiu is serious business! At weddings, the groom will walk table to table taking shots of Baijiu with guests, then switch to water once in a while to keep vertical.
Pre-Wedding Shenanigans
In western weddings, there’s a rehearsal dinner for a selection of friends and family but Chinese culture the bride is kept hidden and her friends don’t open the door for the groom until he talks to them or hongbaos are given to “release the bride” to the groom. if you’re in the line up there’s a chance you’ll have to go through this.
Sourced from China Highlights
Photo: ehow.co.uk
