Red is Customary for a Chinese Wedding
By Sally Manglicmot

A Chinese wedding is a very special occasion filled with bright red color everywhere--tablecloths, favors, dresses, ribbons and more.  That's because red represents happiness and prosperity.  There are many Chinese customs, but many of today's Western-influenced brides prefer following more modern traditions such as wearing a white gown instead of a red one. 

The morning of the wedding day is filled with many activities.  The homes are elaborately decorated in--you guessed it--red!   The Groom and Ushers drive decorated cars to the Bride's home so they can escort the Bride to her new home.  When the Groom and Ushers arrive, the Bridesmaids greet them and ask the Groom a series of sometimes-personal questions before being invited into the Bride's home.  Sometimes the bridesmaids ask the Groom to sing or dance.  All of this is in good fun.   Once in the house, the Bride and Groom formally serve tea to the Bride's relatives in return for gifts.  The wedding party and the bride and groom then drive to the Groom's home.  The Bride and Groom formally serve tea to the Groom's parents in return for gifts. 

The traditional Chinese ceremony involves mostly close relatives and friends and is not a high-profile event. It includes worshipping the heavens, the earth and the groom's ancestors.  The reception is the highlight of the Chinese wedding where the feast is considered highly symbolic. The Chinese Bride and Groom must be on their toes at all times throughout the reception.  The wedding party plays many "tricks" on the couple--again just for fun!

Additional Chinese traditions are practiced today.  Some include composing The Three Letters and the Six Etiquette's, arranging for a good fortune person to comb the Bride and Groom's hair, and preparing red silk sheets on the bridal bed.