The Traditional Wedding Tea Ceremony
The traditional tea ceremony is an important part of the wedding day for many modern Asian couples. We have written an Introduction to the Tea Ceremony Guide. Click here to open in a new window or scroll down for more inspiration.
Tea ceremonies are typically hosted at the bride and groom's homes with their respective families, usually on the morning of the wedding day. During the ceremony, the bride and groom kneel or stand in front of their elders and serve tea to them in order of seniority, beginning with parents, followed by grandparents, aunties and uncles, elder siblings and cousins.
The Chinese tea ceremony has been a significant symbolic feature of Chinese weddings for over a millennium. The occasion is customarily an opportunity for the bride and groom to give thanks and show gratitude and respect to their parents (and other family members) for raising and nurturing them over the years.
The ceremony is a chance to share private, intimate words of thanks and sentiment with their parents and family, as well as advice for the bride and groom as their two lives become one. This can be a very bittersweet emotional process for the family, as the couple prepare for the next stage of their lives together.
Each family member then presents the couple their well-wishes, gifts of gold jewellery, and lucky "hóngbāo" (red packets). The practice symbolises the bride and groom's official welcome to their new extended families.
Fun fact: Daniele is fluent in Cantonese, so she'll be able to communicate with your Cantonese-speaking relatives if it's needed (especially during the family photos!)
We have the utmost appreciation for the intricacies and complexities involved in each culture's unique wedding customs. Before your big day, we will talk with you about any culturally-specific customs that may be part of your celebrations.
