The Thrill Of Chinese Wedding Decoration And Tradition

Dancing lions and dragons, phoenix and firecrackers, mandarin ducks and imperial peacocks. Do they sound exotic and dramatic? They should - each of those has a place in Chinese wedding decorations and tradition.

If you're looking for Asian wedding decoration ideas, Chinese wedding traditions and folklore can offer a lot of inspiration. From flowers and symbols that mean long life and happiness to a menagerie of royal animals, you can find many Asian wedding decoration ideas if you examine the folklore surrounding weddings.

The Color Red

Red is symbolic of celebration and joy, and is the traditional color of the Chinese bride's wedding dress. It's also widely used in decorating and favors at Chinese weddings to bring luck and happiness to the newlyweds. Red flowers like red ginger, red camellias, scarlet poppies and chrysanthemums can be used in centerpiece arrangements or carried in bouquets. Traditionally, the bride and groom each wear a red camellia with red and gold ribbons.

Dragon and Phoenix

The dragon and phoenix represent yin and yang, male and female. They're also symbolic of the Emperor and Empress, and on a day when the bride and groom are royalty, they're a traditional symbol that's used in Chinese wedding decorations. Intricate paper cutouts are hung on walls, as are red velvet double banners with gold embroidered symbols.

Mandarin Ducks

Pairs are important symbols on a Chinese wedding day - two candles, two flowers, two sake cups. They represent the happy couple. Mandarin ducks are often used in Chinese wedding decorations because they mate for life. Wall banners with painted mandarin ducks are common wedding decorations at Asian weddings.

Firecrackers

It's believed that firecrackers will keep evil spirits at bay. An integral part of Chinese wedding decorations and tradition, ceremonial strings of firecrackers are often hung at the entrance to the reception hall or at the door to the groom's house, and set off just before the newlyweds leave for home.

Red Paper Lanterns

More red Chinese wedding decorations for luck and to attract good spirits, a pair of red paper lanterns are often hung at the door to the reception hall to greet guests.

Signature Cloth

Rather than the Western style guest book, the reception table is often covered with a red 'signature cloth' richly embroidered with the symbols for happiness and wedded bliss. Guests are expected to sign the wedding cloth which is then often framed and displayed in the newlywed couple's home.

Lion or Dragon Dance

A lion dance is performed by costumed dancers to bring luck and happiness to the couple. Lion dances at weddings are growing in popularity, and you can find dance troupes that specialize in lion wedding dance in most major cities.

Other Asian Wedding Decorating Ideas

Some other Asian wedding decoration ideas that you might incorporate into your wedding decorating are sake cups filled with candies or mints and wrapped in red favor boxes, chopsticks imprinted with the name of the bride and groom and the date of their wedding, or brocade pouches in richly embroidered colors that double as place card holders.

Chinese wedding decorations and traditions hold a wealth of meaning and symbolism that you can draw on as inspiration. Incorporate some or all of the above decorating ideas for an Asian theme that will make your wedding day more meaningful and special.