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Traditional Chinese Wedding Customs
Preparation for the wedding: Setting up the Bridal Bed
After the groom's family has selected a 'good day' as the wedding
day, a man who's considered to have had good fortune all through his life
will be hired to move the bridal bed to the right place. Then a lady who's
considered to have had good fortune [with healthy and living husband and
sons] will make the bed and place certain good fortune food and fruits
on the bed. Then the bed will be left untouched until the day of the wedding.
The Bride's Gifts for the Groom
The bride's gifts for the groom will either arrive a couple of days
before the wedding day or if she's a relatively long-distance bride, she'll
bring along the gifts with her maids as she arrive at the groom's home
on wedding day. The bride's gifts usually consists of valuable jewelry
and precious stones, kitchen utensils, proper bridal linen such as sheets,
pillow covers and clothes. In some area, the bride's family is expected
to furnish the bridal except for the bridal bed. There's a saying that
if the bride supplies the bridal bed, then the family is practically giving
the bride away for free.
Combing Hair
The night before the wedding, both the bride and the groom needs to
find a 'good fortune' woman and man to comb their hair in his/her home
respectively. Both the bride and the groom needs to take shower before
the event, change to some fresh new underwear and incense needs to be
burnt. The bride also needs to sit next to a window where the moon can
be seen. Their hair needs to be combed four times and each has a special
meaning: The first combing symbolizes: from beginning till the end. The
second combing symbolizes: harmony from now till old age. The third combing
symbolizes: sons and grandsons all over the place. The fourth combing
summaries good wealth and a long-lasting marriage. The whole action also
symbolizes the adulthood of the couple. If either has been married before,
then the combing event can be skipped for that person.
Wedding Day Activities: Picking up the Bride
On the day of the wedding, the groom will send a carriage over to
the bride's family to bring the bride home. The carriage is decorated
in red and is carried by four servants. Musicians will accompany the procession
and they will play wedding music all the way. A lot of gifts are also
brought to the bride's family at the same time. At the bride's home, the
bride will put on her bright red wedding gown and the bride's parents
will give her jewelry to wear.
Bride Leaving Home
As the groom's procession arrives, the groom's spokeswoman will enter
the bride's house and will carry the bride on her back. The bride cannot
touch the ground with her feet until she arrives at the groom's house.
In some regions, the bride's relatives will throw rice into the air, hoping
that the chickens around will eat the rice instead of pecking at the bride.
Sometimes, a red umbrella is used to shield the bride as the opening of
the umbrella will symbolize her bringing many descendants to the groom's
family. As the bride leaves the house, her parents and her relatives will
bid her farewell as she rides the carriage and leaves home. Wealthy brides
often have servant girls who will follow her to the groom's family and
continue to serve her. These maids are known as ones who 'accompany the
marriage'.
Bride Arriving at the Groom's Home
After the bride arrive at the groom's house, the couple will again
worship the ancestors and worship the heavens and earth. Then they will
serve tea to the groom's family according the their seniority and the
relatives will give them red packets or bridal jewelry in return.
The Wedding Banquet
To celebrate the marriage, the groom's family will throw a wedding
feast as large as they can afford. In the old days, some villagers may
use up to seven continuous days to entertain the relatives during a wedding.
Every night, delicious food is being served to all the guests.
Post Wedding Activities: The Bride Returning Home after 3 Days
Three days after the wedding, the bride is expected to return to her
family. The bride will bring along roasted pig and gifts for the family.
Some regions require that the groom accompany her while some didn't. Nonetheless,
this is probably the last chance the bride gets to see her parents. Therefore,
she will bring along a lot of gifts for the family and she may even stay
for a couple of days or even more. As a tradition, the bride's family
will also return part of the gifts to the groom's family as a courtesy.
Some regional custom requires that the family should return the head and
tail of the roasted pig to the groom's family symbolizing the good beginning
and end of the wedding.
Modern
day traditions
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