I was lucky to be invited to Joanna's wedding on Saturday. My first Chinese wedding, for sure I didn't want to miss that opportunity.
At 10am, Abby met me at Somerset and we took a taxi to the venue. Next to the entrance of the venue was a huge poster of Joanna and her husband. Both of them were dressed in wedding outfits. Prior to the wedding they had a photo shot of both of them in different wedding outfit in a park and on the beach. I have to say that I didn't like so much these pictures as they made the couple look like cheap advertising... but what can I say, it's fashionable in China to do such pictures.
We were welcome by the couple. Joanna was wearing a beautiful red Chinese dress in silk. Right after the door we entered a room where posters of the couple were displayed. On a table there was a book where you could write your name and a red box in which you could place your red envelop. In China you don't give gift but money in a red envelop. So I learned.
The theme of the wedding was sleepy beauty. In the main room there was a pink castle decorating the wall (like the one at Disneyland) and everything was white and pink (table clothes, flowers, balloons, cake...).
The ceremony took place in the main room. Basically all guests seat at their table and watch the ceremony. Sleeping beauty being the theme, the bride arrived asleep on a bed carried by friends. The groom woke her up by a kiss, just like in the fairy tale :) After that they exchanged their vows and rings. Pretty similar to what we do in Western Europe. The next part is very different : the tea ceremony. Before they are married, in-laws are called "uncle and aunt". After the wedding, they become "mother and father". For this to happen, the bride will offer tea to her in-laws. If they drink the tea it means they accept her as their new daughter. The groom does the same with his in-laws. After that happy couple exchange a glass of wine and cut the cake. The bride brings a piece of the cake to his parents. The bigger the piece the more respect to them she shows. That's the end of the ceremony. As different it was from the wedding I am used to, it was a beautiful ceremony. After that the waiters bring the food on the table, all of it. There is no 3-courses lunch as we are used to. Cold and warm dishes are brought together and dessert follows shortly. During the meal the bride and groom go to each table. She offers cigarettes to the men (which she lights on) and chocolate to the women and children. Another tradition. He on the other hand drinks a glass of liquor at each table as we toast them. I'm assuming he gets pretty drunk by the end of the meal.
Once you are done with your food you can leave. On your way out you stop to have a picture with the happy couple. All in all this took 2 hours. That was the shortest wedding ever for me. I'm very happy Joanna invited me and gave me the chance to be part of her wedding. Congratulations Joanna!
At 10am, Abby met me at Somerset and we took a taxi to the venue. Next to the entrance of the venue was a huge poster of Joanna and her husband. Both of them were dressed in wedding outfits. Prior to the wedding they had a photo shot of both of them in different wedding outfit in a park and on the beach. I have to say that I didn't like so much these pictures as they made the couple look like cheap advertising... but what can I say, it's fashionable in China to do such pictures.
We were welcome by the couple. Joanna was wearing a beautiful red Chinese dress in silk. Right after the door we entered a room where posters of the couple were displayed. On a table there was a book where you could write your name and a red box in which you could place your red envelop. In China you don't give gift but money in a red envelop. So I learned.
The theme of the wedding was sleepy beauty. In the main room there was a pink castle decorating the wall (like the one at Disneyland) and everything was white and pink (table clothes, flowers, balloons, cake...).
The ceremony took place in the main room. Basically all guests seat at their table and watch the ceremony. Sleeping beauty being the theme, the bride arrived asleep on a bed carried by friends. The groom woke her up by a kiss, just like in the fairy tale :) After that they exchanged their vows and rings. Pretty similar to what we do in Western Europe. The next part is very different : the tea ceremony. Before they are married, in-laws are called "uncle and aunt". After the wedding, they become "mother and father". For this to happen, the bride will offer tea to her in-laws. If they drink the tea it means they accept her as their new daughter. The groom does the same with his in-laws. After that happy couple exchange a glass of wine and cut the cake. The bride brings a piece of the cake to his parents. The bigger the piece the more respect to them she shows. That's the end of the ceremony. As different it was from the wedding I am used to, it was a beautiful ceremony. After that the waiters bring the food on the table, all of it. There is no 3-courses lunch as we are used to. Cold and warm dishes are brought together and dessert follows shortly. During the meal the bride and groom go to each table. She offers cigarettes to the men (which she lights on) and chocolate to the women and children. Another tradition. He on the other hand drinks a glass of liquor at each table as we toast them. I'm assuming he gets pretty drunk by the end of the meal.
Once you are done with your food you can leave. On your way out you stop to have a picture with the happy couple. All in all this took 2 hours. That was the shortest wedding ever for me. I'm very happy Joanna invited me and gave me the chance to be part of her wedding. Congratulations Joanna!
1 comment:
Sounds a bit corny and sugar sweet, but then again very time efficient, too =:)
Nice photos. What did you wear?
Post a Comment