Culture, customs & tradition
Both of us are ethnically Chinese while residing in the United Kingdom. Here we find ourselves combining Eastern and Western beliefs; with both sides having a significant bearing on our respective identities. With our guests, we are proud to be combining different traditions and beliefs with people across cultures and generations.
Rising from the East
Customs from our Chinese Heritage
上頭儀式
Hair Combing Ceremony
The hair combing ceremony, held the night before the wedding, is a ritual symbolising the transition from singlehood to married life. Surrounded by close family and friends, the brides hair will be gently brushed by her mother, while the groom will receive a ceremonial haircut from his father. This act signifies the removal of negativity and the start of a new chapter. Blessings and advice will be shared while eating 'tang yuan', a glutinous rice dessert, to symbolise the reunion of families.
吉日
Our Wedding Day
Choosing an auspicious wedding date is a pivotal element in Chinese weddings, steeped in cultural significance. Together with their parents, the bride and groom consult lunar calendars and traditional fortune-tellers, taking into account factors like Chinese zodiac signs, birthdays of senior family members, and cosmic alignments. This meticulous selection aims to align the wedding day with positive energies, ensuring a harmonious and prosperous beginning to their marital journey.
敬茶
Tea Ceremony
The tea ceremony is a deeply rooted and cherished tradition in Chinese culture, symbolizing the union of two families through the marriage of their children. The tea ceremony involves the newlyweds paying respects to their elders by offering them tea. the bride and groom will kneel or bow before their parents and other senior family members, presenting them with cups of tea as a gesture of gratitude. In return, the elders offer blessings, marital advice, and sometimes gifts to the newlyweds. This ritual not only signifies the formal acceptance of the couple into each other's families but also serves as a meaningful expression of respect and continuity of cultural values across generations.
龍鳳褂
Ceremony Dress
The traditional Chinese wedding gown, known as 'Qun Gua', is used for tea ceremonies. In ancient times the embroidery varied based on different status levels differentiated by the density of gold and silver threads. Dragon and phoenix motifs feature on the 'Qun Gua', and symbolizes a harmonious union in marital life, embodying masculinity, femininity, and the balance of Yin and Yang. The predominant use of red in the embroidery signifies luck and happiness, aligning with traditional beliefs in warding off evil spirits and bringing good fortune.
The tradition of gifting red packets, known as "hongbao" 紅包 or "lai se" 利事 is a heartfelt expression of good wishes for the newlyweds. Guests present red envelopes to the bride and groom containing money. The etiquette is for these to be in even denominations (e.g. £50, £100, £150, £200) which serves as a symbolic gesture of prosperity and blessings for the couple's future. Sometimes the sum would incorporate the number 8 (e.g. £80, £180) which represents wealth and prosperity but must avoid incorporating the number 4 which is seen as inauspicious.
