I’m sure most of you know that there are many things that you have to follow in a Chinese wedding. Personal I hate it! Anyway, here’s one that I found from the Internet. Not all dialect group practice the same procedures, there are difference here and there.

I’m not sure the one I’m posting here is from which dialect group, mostly likely belongs to the Cantonese, at least it will give you some ideas of how the Chinese wedding is done.

Many modern couples would even mix and match the procedures from various dialect groups that they like to replace the part where they don’t like or add-on to the existing one. For me, I would love to skip all these! There are also many couples that skip this. At the end it’s up to the couple and the family to decide.

• The Proposal
  In the olden days, when a man is ready to get marry, the match maker(a lady) will source an ideal woman for him by matching the date of birth for compatibility. When both family accept the arrangement made, the bride-to-be’s family will discuss with the match maker on the dowry, whereby the match maker will relay the request to the groom-to-be’s family.

  In the modern days, I don’t think there is such thing as match making. However, a representative(either their one of his elders(aunt, uncles) or some actually hire one) will join the groom-to-be’s family to meet the bride-to-be’s family to discuss on things like dowries, wedding preparations and so on. There’ll be also a representative from the bride-to-be’s family(either their one of his elders(aunt, uncles) or some actually hire one). This is to ensure in case things got out of control, the representative can help to settle them down and suggest for compromise and so on.

• The Betrothal
  Once the couple were officially affianced there was the presentation of betrothal presents which consist of fruits, chickens, dried seafood, red cloths, wedding candles etc. from the groom-to-be to the bride-to-be. In return, the bride-to-be will present which symbolize longevity, good-luck, happiness, peace and harmony eg. red-dates, veg seeds, lotus seeds etc. When the bride-to-be’s family receive the wedding cake, they will distribute it to relative and friends as a way of announcement and invitation of the wedding.
• Bed Installation
  The day before the wedding day, a couple who is considered to have good fortune and luck all through their life will be invited to carry out this ceremony. The man will move the bridal bed to the right place, while the lady make the bed and place good fortune food and fruits on the bed. Then the bed will be left untouched until the day of the wedding. On the wedding day, a young boy will be invited onto the bed as an omen of fertility.
• Hair Dressing
  The night prior to the wedding, both the bride and the groom will carry out this ceremony at their respective home. Their hair needs to be combed by a woman and man who consider to have good fortune and luck. This ceremony means that the person is going into adulthood and the beginning of a new life.
• Wedding Day
  On the morning of the wedding day, as time set by the fengshui master, the groom will leave the house with his brothers and buddies to fetch the bride.

  On arrival at the bride’s home, the groom will remain in the car and wait for invitation. Normally, the younger brother (unmarried) or a boy (normally cousin or nephew) will open the door of the bridal car to welcome the groom. The groom together with his brothers and buddies will make their way to meet the bride, during the process they will be teased by the bride’s sisters and girlfriends. When the groom meets the bride, she will bow to the groom as a way of respect for her husband. The groom will give the bride the bouquet of flower and lift the veil that covers her face. They will exchange rings and the groom will kiss the bride. Thereafter, the couple would seek the blessings from the lord and ancestor by performing the prayer sessions. After the prayer sessions, the groom together with the bride would acknowledge the bride’s parent and elders as a way of appreciation and seeking the blessing from them.

  Upon returning at the groom’s house, the bride will cross over a fire pot before stepping into the new home, which symbolize bringing wealth into the family. Then they will seek the blessings from the lord and ancestors. After the prayer sessions, the new couple will serve tea to the parent and elders of the family. By accepting the tea served, the parents and elders in return will give the couple red packets (containing cash or jeweler), which means accepting the bride into the family and honour the marriage. When all the elders in the family been served tea by the couple, the junior members in the family will serve tea to the couple and the couple will give them red packets.

  When the tea serving ceremony completed, the couple will enter into their new room. The groom will remove the head veil and throw it onto the cupboard top as a mean of eternal union. A boy from the groom’s family will be invited to jump on the new bed and break the potty’s cover (red paper). This acts symbolize this newly wed will have children to carry the family name.