Posts

Chinese Wedding

Chinese Wedding

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

A culture clash doesn’t have to happen at a Chinese wedding! We have a few tips for those who don’t know how a Chinese wedding proceeds or don’t want to be surprised when they go. No one wants to embarrass themselves or the happy couple on their big day. You may be very familiar with Chinese traditions and it’s never impolite to help that person looking “lost” in the corner!

First, you may be expecting to go to a traditional ceremony and watch the bride and groom take vows. In a Chinese wedding this does not happen in front of people. The couple will do their vows at a local governmental office before the wedding and have the paperwork done there. So, you are attending the celebration of their marriage at this point.

Second, in a Chinese wedding tradition pictures are usually done before the celebration. The bride and groom will likely take pictures around their venue, in the city, or popular sites. The wedding album doesn’t usually contain actual photos of the ceremony. These pictures are taken in advance so they can be displayed at the wedding breakfast! This is a great idea since it takes the pressure off the actual wedding day and guests can see the happy couple’s photos all over the reception area.

The third thing you’ll most likely notice is a different color scheme than other weddings. Red is the color of fortune, fertility, love, loyalty and honor. It is used liberally in a Chinese wedding theme and the decorations and bride’s dress are usually red.

Gold is another color you’ll see in a Chinese wedding. This color represents fortune and wealth. White is a color not used in a Chinese wedding because it is associated with funerals. Dark colors such as black, gray or blue are also not usually used because they are considered unlucky.

A Chinese Wedding can be a lot of fun and something totally different from the “traditional” American wedding. Have an open mind and enjoy all the beautiful colors and culture!

 

Asian Fusion

Asian Fusion

/0 Comments/in , , , /by
Asian Fusion

While the mixing of cultures in America is a given, sometimes fuses these traditions can be tricky. But, they don’t have to be – let’s take a look at customs that you can incorporate into your big day that is both Asian Fusion and American.

From China to Japan to other Asian countries, each culture has their own set of customs that have been passed down from century to century. Some modern couples opt to do two ceremonies, one honoring their parents and traditions, and one that is more modern to suit today’s culture of weddings.
In Chinese tradition, the wedding date is picked carefully according to astrological signs and birth dates, and the ceremony begins on the half hour to cement the couple’s good fortune. Chinese weddings are chock-full of colorful customs, often accompanied by the sound of firecrackers and gongs. Many modern brides change their bridal outfit up to three times! Who wouldn’t want more than one spectacular dress to debut? The three dresses include a traditional white dress, a traditional Chinese bridal dress for the tea ceremony, and a cocktail dress to send off the guests.

In Japanese culture, there are many symbols and customs ingrained in their wedding traditions. While the Western custom of exchanging rings has become increasingly popular over the years, the ritual of “san-san-kudo”, the three by three exchanges are rich with meaning. It is performed by the bride and groom and both sets of parents; each person takes three sips of sake from each of three cups. The first three represent three couples, the bride and groom, and their parents. The second three represent three human flaws: hatred, passion, and ignorance. “Ku,” or nine is a lucky number in Japanese culture. And “do” means deliverance from the three flaws.

In many cultures such as Pan-Asian, symbols, colors, and different types of food mean good luck or fortune for the newlyweds. The different foods served all have special meanings, for example lobster might be served because redis a lucky color or clams served with both shells symbolize the couple’s union. Honoring your tradition is important, but so is staying true to your likes and dislikes of what you want on your big day. Honor is a big part of Asian culture, but what big day isn’t about giving a shout out to your parents an the people who’ve shaped who you’ve become? If you and your fiance are from different cultures, try to incorporate as much tradition as you both feel comfortable with. We guarantee your guests who are not familiar with them, will be dazzled by the Asian Fusion!