Saturday, November 27, 2010

5.1- Reception - Procedure


In the Past
The Bride’s Journey to the Groom’s House (出嫁)




On wedding day, the houses of both bride and groom are decorated in red color and the walls are adhered with double happiness’s. Firstly, a large group of people go to the home of bride to take the bride to the home of the groom. The group includes servants, lantern musicians, dancing lions and the groom. The matchmaker may be also included in the team. The groom and the bride serve tea to the senior relatives of the bride. Then, the brides whose face is covered by red silk veil or a curtain made of tassels or beads are carried by a matchmaker and take on the sedan chair. At the same time, lantern musicians play the instruments and fireworks are fired. When the bride arrives at the home of the groom, she has to step over a saddle or a lit stove to cross the threshold. Then, the couple has to worship the ancestors, heavens and earth. Finally, they have to serve tea to the groom’s senior family members according to the pecking order. The senior members give red packets back to the couples with greeting. At night, the couples hold a Wedding Banquet in the ancestral hall and invite relatives and friends. After the meal, some guests follow the couples to go back the bridal room and play tricks on them, mainly the groom. Afterward, the couples drink and toast and the groom take the red curtain away from the bride.

Nowadays

On wedding days, the houses of both bride and groom are decorated in red color and the walls are adhered with double happiness. Firstly, a large group of people go to the home of bride to take the bride to the home of the groom. The group includes relatives, friends and the groom. When the groom’s team arrives at the bride’s home, they have to pass a series of games in order to get into the home. The groom and the bride serve tea to the senior relatives of the bride. Next, the bride and the groom take on the flower car to go back the groom’s home. When the couples arrive at the groom’s home, they have to worship the ancestors, heavens and earth. Finally, they have to serve tea to the groom’s senior family members according to the pecking order. The senior members give red packets back to the couples with greeting. At night, the couples hold a Wedding Banquet in Chinese restaurant or hotel and invite relatives, friends and colleagues.

Visiting the bride’s home on the third day (三朝回門)

In the past, the couples visit the bride’s home on the third day after wedding day.
The aim of this procedure is to vist the parents and the family members of the bride. The bride visit her parents with groom and lots of gifts. In the past, the home of the bride is far away from that of groom, it is difficult for the bride to visit her parents. This procedure allows the bride to say goodbye to her parents and family members as well as thanks for their care. Also, the large amount of gifts sent to the bride’s home are used for worshipping ancestors.

Nowadays, many couples visit the bride’s home on the wedding day. Also, the procedure is less complicated and less gifts are prepared.

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