Asian Wedding Traditions
When it comes to weddings, all traditions focus around the basic concept of a new beginning and travelling down a mutual path with your significant other. Yet there are also other related concepts you should be aware of.
Face in Asian Culture
And it's a big deal. Face refers to one's sense of dignity and respectability in social context. For example, to 'save face' describes the lengths a person goes through in order to ensure they are not thought badly by their peers.
Face, in other words, is your projected self image. This means that public perception of something that represents you - for example, an event that represents your marriage - has significant influence on your social standing and status.
Face, in other words, is your projected self image. This means that public perception of something that represents you - for example, an event that represents your marriage - has significant influence on your social standing and status.
Status in Asian Culture
Status refers to relative rank or position in society, and the display of status is considered socially important.
Common examples of social status you encounter at an Asian wedding include:
Common examples of social status you encounter at an Asian wedding include:
- Travelling in luxury cars like Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi
- Drinking premium bottles such as Hennessy, Courvoisier, Remy Martin
- Eating delicacies like lobster, abalone, shark fin soup
The Dowry Offering
On the morning of the wedding, the Groom and his party set out to the Bride's home bearing gifts in red trays - traditionally fruits, tea, cognac, and whole roasted pig. The bride's party - by accepting these gifts - grants permission for the Groom's party to enter.
Introductions are made all around by the family patriarch or matriarch, welcoming guests on a joyous and wonderful occasion. The bride - who until recent events has been hiding in her room - is now escorted out by her party.
Introductions are made all around by the family patriarch or matriarch, welcoming guests on a joyous and wonderful occasion. The bride - who until recent events has been hiding in her room - is now escorted out by her party.
The Traditional Tea Ceremony
The ceremony begins with incense and the couple honouring their ancestors. There will be a family altar. The colour red is everywhere. Jewellery is given to the bride as gifts. The ceremony concludes with the Bride and Groom offering cups of tea to their family members. Blessings and well wishes are given to the couple and red pockets are given as a token of wishing a prosperous marriage. Speeches are given.
And, in the eyes of the family, the happy couple are now considered married.
And, in the eyes of the family, the happy couple are now considered married.
The Civil Ceremony
Now for the legal component of the wedding. After the tea ceremony concludes, I conduct the civil ceremony so that the marriage is officially recognised according to law in Australia.
Lunch Feast
The formalities conclude with the Bride's father inviting guests to help themselves to the feast provided. Since it is at home, it's normally a sit down buffet style meal. Though the style varies from culture to culture, the food is always delicious.
The Photo Session
After the ceremony the Bridal Party and family members head out for professional photos at various scenic locations.
The Signing Cloth
As the guests are greeted at the reception they traditionally sign a red signing cloth, wishing the couple a happy marriage. This serves the same commemorative function as a Guest Book. Red Pockets go into the Wishing Well at this time.
The Banquet
The banquet meal consists of many courses. For more information about the banquet, check out Catering.
Superstitions
There are several worth mentioning, depending on how superstitious the family is. For example, the number '4' comes up a lot as a big no-no but the number '8' is a go ahead green light. Zodiac horoscopes and feng shui also influence wedding dates and compatibility.
Was this article helpful for you? Comment on Facebook or Contact Me.
For more information on traditions, check out Red Pockets and Catering.
For more information on traditions, check out Red Pockets and Catering.