How to Plan a Traditional Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony—Traditions to Cherish

Couples who love tradition and the elegance of an elaborate wedding ceremony are choosing to host their weddings at top wedding venues in China. Helping you plan your big day by setting the place up to resemble your dream wedding are popular hotels like Pan Pacific Tianjin in China. Couples are offered plenty of opportunities to make their big day one to remember with specialised menus containing a list of traditional dishes to décor and ceremonies that match the heritage and customs of China. Once you have chosen the best hotel in China for your wedding, you can start adding the traditional components that you want to be included in the ceremony. The tea ceremony is one of the most popular.

he tradition was established as a way for couples to show respect to their families. The ancient practice began in the Tang Dynasty (618–907). The ceremony will fit into your plans regardless of how big or small your celebration is. It is ideal for showing respect to your parents, grandparents, and extended family. It is a simple yet deeply significant practice where the couple serves tea to their elders. Originally, it was the groom who served tea to his parents once the vows were exchanged because the bride would have already hosted her tea-serving ceremony at home before the wedding ceremony; today the tea ceremony tradition has slightly changed where both families are included in the tea serving ceremony where both bride and groom serve tea to their families.

According to tradition, the groom's family will be served first; however, the order is at your discretion, and you can change it as you wish. Two ceremonies will be held for each side of the family. When serving tea, the parents are first served and then the paternal grandparents, after which the maternal grandparents follow. Uncles and aunts are served next. Both bride and groom will take turns hosting their respective ceremonies by kneeling and serving tea to each member. Once a family member takes a sip of the tea, they will place a red envelope called a lai see on the serving tray. This ‘lucky envelope’ traditionally contains money or jewellery. The bride sits on the left and the groom on the right, and the members being served sit on a chair in front of the kneeling couple.

Gift giving is a part of the tea ceremony since it is not tradition to offer gifts to the couple in China. The western tradition of taking gifts to the bridal shower or wedding is not followed in China; therefore, the traditional lai see lucky red envelope is used during the tea ceremony to shower the couple with lucky money to start their new life. Other gifts given at the tea ceremony include gold and bridal jewellery, which can be quite elaborate at times when elders make generous gifts.

There are several options; you can choose to have the tea ceremony after the initial registration, or before. Some couples choose to host the tea ceremony the day after the wedding or during the cocktail hour once done with the main celebrations. The choice is yours.

You will need a tea set; red is a popular choice of colour symbolising good luck. You will also need an altar where you can display photos honouring ancestors from both sides of the family. White flowers, fruits, incense, and wine are kept at the altar. The type of tea served can be your choice; popular options include green tea (the traditional favourite), orange blossom tea and black dragon. Traditionally, candles are lit, one by the bride and one by the groom. They will contain images of a phoenix and a dragon. Or you can light one candle as a symbol of the unification of families. Since these are modern times, you can choose to structure the tea ceremony as you wish. The main aim is to honour your families and as long as that aspect is maintained, where and when you conduct the ceremony is at your discretion.