Asian culture is rich in history. From the food to the garments to the decor, the traditions that make your heritage so special are celebrated at Asian weddings! Though your wedding plans may have been altered due to coronavirus, you don’t have to eliminate your traditions from the planning of your special day. If you’re looking to incorporate some of the more modern wedding traditions into your upcoming wedding, look no further. These traditions will make your Asian wedding a ceremony to remember.
The hair combing ceremony. The day before the wedding, many Asian brides take part in a hair combing ceremony. This custom typically occurs in the bride’s home, as it symbolizes the bride transforming from a child to a grown woman. Usually, the bride’s mother will perform the ceremony, but any person of good fortune in the bride’s extended family can do it. To begin, someone will light special dragon phoenix candles. Then, the person conducting the combing ceremony will brush the bride’s hair and repeat wishes of good fortune unto the bride. Hopes for a happy marriage, a long life, children, grandchildren, and wealth are all bestowed upon the bride during this unique ceremony.
The tradition of collecting the bride. In Asian culture, it is customary for the groom to lead a festive procession to his bride’s home to collect her for their wedding ceremony. Complete with firecrackers, gongs, and plenty of raucous laughter, the groom arrives to “collect” his bride and start walking together. Along the way, friends and family are welcome to join in, play music, and dance. Traditionally, a child leads the procession as a nod to the couple starting a family in the future.
The traditional tea ceremony. The tea ceremony is one of the most significant parts of an Asian wedding ceremony. In Chinese, the ceremony’s name translates to “respectfully offer tea.” During the ceremony, the bride and groom make a formal introduction to each other’s families. In this way, they’re able to express their respect and gratitude for taking part in their wedding ceremony. Traditionally, the newlyweds will serve tea that contains lotus seeds or red dates to the groom’s family. As they do so, each family member will offer the couple a red envelope that contains their wedding gift.
The best part — the wedding banquet! After all of the formalities of a traditional Asian wedding, guests and the bridal party alike look forward to the banquet portion the most. An Asian wedding venue in Montgomery County says that Asian wedding banquets are traditionally a few hours long and consist of multiple courses that symbolize something special for the newlyweds. Often, games and entertainment are included throughout the feast, too.
The playing of door games. In Chinese culture, “door games” aren’t something played at the Bachelor or Bachelorette party but take place during the procession or banquet. These games are held so that the groom can show he is worthy of marrying the bride. Once the groom successfully completes the games, the bridesmaids will surrender the bride. Some popular door games include a presentation of red envelopes to the bride or testing the groom’s knowledge of the relationship.
Even though guest lists may be limited these days, you can still incorporate some of these beloved traditions into your upcoming wedding. Talk to your wedding vendors about how you can include these symbols and customs on your special day.