Tea Ceremony
The tea ceremony is an important part of Chinese-style weddings, an opportunity for the new couple to thank their parents and familial elders for raising them. As many of the attending guests may not be familiar with the ceremony, the bride’s mum, Vivian, has put together a guide to introduce the tradition.
Meaning And Significance
During the Chinese wedding tea ceremony, traditionally the couple will bow and serve tea to their elder family members as a sign of respect and gratitude for all the years of love and nurture. In response, the family gives gifts or blessings to showcase their acceptance, goodwill and support to the newlyweds. In addition to elders, all of both extended families are invited to attend as this tradition also serves as the formal introduction of the bride and groom into their new extended family. From the designs on the teacups to the gifts exchanged, each component of the ceremony is specifically designed to celebrate the marriage and represent wishes of fortune and blessings of fertility to the new couple.
Guest Information
When serving and receiving the tea, remember to hold a teacup with both hands to show respect.
The bride and groom will be dressed in traditional Chinese ensembles, while guests are encouraged to wear semi-formal attire, preferably avoiding white as it is considered unlucky.
Chinese culture relies heavily on symbology and this is particularly true at weddings. Auspicious symbols of wealth, health and fertility are integrated into everything including the choice of tea, designs on the teaware and bridal outfits and any gifts. Some symbols include:
Red and Gold
Chinese character for double happiness
The number 8
Things in pairs
Sweet red dates
At the end of the day, we want this to be an enjoyable experience for everyone so don’t worry about getting caught up in any cultural faux pas! As we say in Cantonese, "冇問題 “mo mun tai!” (no problem!), or in New Zealandese, “she'll be right!”
Ceremony Sequence
1. Seating Arrangement
Traditionally, it is customary for the bride to stand on the left side and the groom on the right. Typically, the female elder sits across from the bride and the male elder sits facing the groom, although this arrangement may be altered based on the situation. The couple will serve tea to their elders in a sequence starting from the oldest generation or those closest to them.
2. Serving Tea
Holding the teacups with both hands, the new couple greet and present the tea to their elders, addressing them with their formal title in the family.
3. Blessings and gifts
After drinking the tea and returning the cups, the family members will give their blessings and present the new couple with either red envelopes containing money or gifts demonstrating their love and best wishes.
The ceremony is repeated with the next set of family members and continues until all senior relatives have been served.