Last weekend I got to go to a dear Chinese sister's wedding. She'd waited a really long time for the Father's plan for her to get married, and it was a blessing to be there to celebrate with her. However, like all big life events, it was a huge cultural experience!! It was my first wedding to attend in China, and here's what I didn't see and what I saw!!
I didn't see...
--any official invitations--just show up if you want to come!
--the groom and bride kiss (they hugged once)
--any wedding cake (toasts instead)
--bridesmaids (a friend helped but no official bridesmaids)
--dancing (we just ate, toasted, and left)
--standing around--as soon as one event was done we just rushed out to the next one!
I did see...
--The wedding party process in cars from the church to the reception--my friend was very insistent that we also share in this tradition and made sure we had a ride!
--beautiful, touching vows at the church
--another small DJ'd ceremony at the reception
--bowing to the parents as a big part of the reception ceremony
--a champagne fountain instead of a cake
--a sand pouring symbolic time at the reception
--both a white and a red dress for the bride during the reception
--a single man catch the bouquet (they didn't discriminate on gender for singles to catch the bouquet)
--red envelopes of money for gifts
--small containers of wedding candy (a must in a Chinese wedding!)
My friend and her new husband didn't go on a honeymoon right away--they're settling into their new apartment and planning to travel later in the year. They had me over for lunch the day after the wedding, just to hang out and see their new place. It felt strange but I was glad to be invited to spend some more time with my dear friend!
I didn't see...
--any official invitations--just show up if you want to come!
--the groom and bride kiss (they hugged once)
--any wedding cake (toasts instead)
--bridesmaids (a friend helped but no official bridesmaids)
--dancing (we just ate, toasted, and left)
--standing around--as soon as one event was done we just rushed out to the next one!
I did see...
--The wedding party process in cars from the church to the reception--my friend was very insistent that we also share in this tradition and made sure we had a ride!
--beautiful, touching vows at the church
--another small DJ'd ceremony at the reception
--bowing to the parents as a big part of the reception ceremony
--a champagne fountain instead of a cake
--a sand pouring symbolic time at the reception
--both a white and a red dress for the bride during the reception
--a single man catch the bouquet (they didn't discriminate on gender for singles to catch the bouquet)
--red envelopes of money for gifts
--small containers of wedding candy (a must in a Chinese wedding!)
My friend and her new husband didn't go on a honeymoon right away--they're settling into their new apartment and planning to travel later in the year. They had me over for lunch the day after the wedding, just to hang out and see their new place. It felt strange but I was glad to be invited to spend some more time with my dear friend!
