Tea ceremonies, Chinese wedding banquets, and Western buffets or traditions can all be included in your special day, provided you’re open minded and willing to explore all of your options when planning this momentous event.

Combining Tradition

Before attempting to plan a Chinese-American wedding, take the necessary time to fully understand the meaning behind the customs that you’d like to incorporate into your wedding ceremony. Often times, second and third generations don’t know of or understand the rituals and customs that were, and are so very important to their ancestors.

Modern Chinese-American brides usually wear at least three different outfits on their wedding day, which is actually quite a decline from the 20 or 30 dresses that brides in years past used to wear. And, while white has always been a color that’s reserved for funerals, and red is worn for good luck and happiness, many brides today have chosen to eschew these traditions and wear whatever color they like most.

Chinese-American Wedding Decor

Thanks to their sheer beauty and elegance, and also the recent boost in popularity, Asian themed decorations are in abundance and rather easy to find. Following tradition, Chinese wedding favors and decorations are lively in color, with plenty of vibrant reds as this color holds deep meaning, symbolizing love, prosperity, and joy. .

Red banners, also known as happiness banners, are an important part of the decorations used in both the reception, as well as in the newly married couples home, and feature words of praise and congratulations written on both sides, usually in traditional Chinese lettering. .

The Flowers

The flowers are yet another way of incorporating your culture into your wedding day. While you will want to choose flowers that fit with the overall theme of the wedding, or those that may be favorites of yours, you may also want to include some of the following that are often used in traditional Chinese weddings:

• Daffodils: Also known as jonquil and narcissus, these flowers represent joyful change and are best for weddings held during the spring months.
• Lotus Blossoms: The lotus represents four different virtues in Buddhism, loveliness, purity, scent, and softness, and these flowers hold a rather important place in Asian cultures. Use in bouquets, or floating in glass bowls of plain or colored water.
• Orchids: Orchids are the Chinese symbol of fertility and love, making them the perfect addition for a wedding. Besides decorative bouquets, these flowers also make excellent corsages.
• Peonies: These beautiful flowers symbolize renewal and are perfect for decorating with as they can be found in many colors and in several interesting varieties.

Using just a bit of forethought and planning, you can be sure to honor both of your cultures at your wedding, merging them together into one beautiful union on this most important day in your lives.

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Maybe you’re wondering where this tradition originated. It actually began in the 14th century, the groom would remove the garter from the bride’s leg and throw it to those single men in the room, legend says whoever caught the garter would be the next to wed.

There are both pros and cons to this as with any other tradition. Some of the benefits of having the toss are that you have a great chance to interact with your guests, you have a perfect picture moment that will be fun and memorable, and you will be following tradition if that is your cup of tea.

Some of the drawbacks might include the fact that some guests do not want to participate, or if you have a small wedding, there may not be many participants. This can also take up extra time, that you might find better spent on some other activity, such as a dance, or time spent mingling with family and friends. Another thing to consider is throwing a bouquet with handle and pins can be dangerous.

No matter what you decide, the fact remains, it is your wedding and you should do what makes you feel most comfortable.

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