Hosting a Chinese Theme Wedding

A Chinese theme wedding is much like a well-rehearsed dance. Each preparation and plan is a specific sequence of motion, both beautiful and graceful. Its no wonder that a Chinese theme wedding is one of the most popular wedding themes.

Traditionally in a Chinese theme wedding, both of the couples parents are physically involved from the day of engagement up to and including the wedding day. They may be involved in anything from the construction of the guest list to fulfilling the brides wish list or dowry, as well as overseeing the necessities and details of the big day. Whether you choose to pass these responsibilities to the parents or not, here are a few ideas for successfully hosting a gorgeous Chinese theme wedding.

Chinese Wedding Dress

Red is the chosen color for a Chinese bridal dress or Cheongsam, which is available as a one or two-piece dress and usually embroidered with gold and silver phoenix and dragon patterns. Red is said to be a good luck color, one that will keep evil spirits at bay.

Another tradition is that the bride is supposed to change gowns at least three times on her special day. The first white gown is for her wedding ceremony, the second is for the reception and the third time she changes clothes is for the greeting of her guests and to thank them for attending her wedding.

The groom, on the other hand, wears a traditional gown consisting of a black silk coat, a dark blue robe embroidered with a dragon design, and a black hat with red tassel. He wears this for the duration of the ceremony and reception.

Chinese Wedding Decorations

Although bright colors can be used as decorations, the Chinese prefer the color red. One important decoration at a Chinese theme wedding reception are the happiness banners. Other traditional decorations include red lanterns, Chinese wedding dolls as table centerpieces, and golden phoenix and dragon designs, a symbol of an equality of male and female power.

Chinese Wedding Cakes

Referred to as the Phoenix and Dragon cakes or Double Happiness Cakes, traditionally they were sent to guests along with their invitation. Now they are served at the wedding reception. Some of these cakes are filled with lotus, red bean and green bean pastes, a sweet concoction that will delight the senses.

Chinese Wedding Menu

Continue your Chinese wedding theme at the reception by providing a deluxe banquet where 8 10 courses of food are enjoyed. The menu can be made up of fish, chicken, soup, fried noodles and rice, lobster, and a dessert of lotus seed buns as well as the dragon and phoenix cakes. This feast is served with either cognac, whiskey, or 7-Up. 7-Up seem like a strange choice? Not at all. It is perceived as being a positive (and therefore lucky) name for a beverage by the Chinese.

Chinese Wedding Gifts

In the Chinese culture, a bridal registry is non-existent. Instead, guests are asked to bring monetary offerings to the wedding reception in a red envelope. This offering is called Li Shi.

Pick a Chinese Wedding Date

The Chinese believe that the wedding date chosen plays a significant role in the luck of the marriage. The traditional belief is that even-numbered wedding dates bring the most luck and therefore a more successful marriage. Plan accordingly to keep your Chinese wedding theme as authentic as possible!

About the Author

Valeria Vegas has a Masters degree in Writing and regularly writes for a local newspaper. She also teaches writing workshops in San Francisco and has taught high school English. As a freelance job, she corrects essays for the SAT and ACT through Pearson scoring as well as write copy for websites. She is the Associate Editor of a literary magazine, edit manuscripts for Behler publications, and works for authors independently. One of her stories was named Notable Story of 2004 by Million Writers.