THE CHINESE WEDDING TEA CEREMONY
by Leena - Let's Party

Tea is the national drink of China, and is used as a symbol of respect during many traditional Chinese Wedding Ceremonies. The tea is always served with both hands on the tea cup, as it is considered to be very religious and precious...much care is given to the teacups. Tea plays a very large role in the traditional Chinese wedding ceremonies. To begin, the bride-to-be serves tea to her parents at their home before the groom arrives. This is seen as a sign of respect, where the bride, in a sense, is thanking her parents for raising her and for attending her special day. Again, the tea is served with both hands on the tea cup.

After the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom, as a newlywed couple, serve tea to their guests. The guests are all seated in chairs and the bride and groom kneel to them as they serve the tea. The bride kneels on the left side of the guest's chair, while the groom kneels on the right side.

In return for their serving of the tea, the newlyweds receive small red envelopes filled with monetary donations, or gifts of jewelry. Theirs are called "lai see", and are not only gifts, but are considered to be good luck envelopes. The envelopes that are donated are placed on the tray which holds the teacups.

BRIDAL BED
The bridal bed is an old Chinese tradition. It is a traditional ceremony which is initiated by the groom. On the day before the wedding ceremony, the groom selects a man or woman to install a newly purchased bed. This bed is installed, and children are invited to play on the bed, as an omen of fertility. This ceremonial tradition is to encourage the newlywed couple to have children, and the children playing on the bed, serve as good luck charms of fertility. For this same reason, many nuts and fruits are scattered on the bed. These, too, are said to encourage fertilization for the newlyweds.