Irvin Studio. Source.

It is customary for the groom and his entourage to come to the bride’s house
for the first part of the ceremony. The bride will wait in her room for the
groom to “collect” her and bring her back to his house. While waiting for him
to show up, the bride’s family traditionally sets up a table of offerings for the
Gods and ancestors, to bless the couple with a long and happy marriage.
This usually includes burning of joss sticks and offerings such as fruits and
sweet treats.

2. Red veil
 Aaron
Chin Photography. Source.
The red veil seen in traditional Chinese weddings is similar to the white veil
worn in Christian weddings. Traditionally, it was meant to symbolise modesty
and to cover the bride’s face until later in the bridal chamber where the
groom will take it off. Today it is a ritual practiced for tradition’s sake, and is
often removed by the groom after the ceremony. The colour red symbolises
happiness in Chinese culture which is why it is often the main colour theme
in a Chinese wedding.

 
Emotion in Pictures by Andy Lim. Source.
 

ESL Photography. Source.
3. Tea ceremony
Momento Wedding. Source.
The ritual of the Chinese Wedding Tea ceremony has prevailed over time as
it is an important part of Chinese culture. Even the most simplistic of Chinese
weddings will include this ritual. The bride and groom serves tea to their
parents and older married relatives such as grandparents, uncles, aunties,
and cousins. It signifies a symbol of love, respect and gratitude. The tea
recipients will remain seated while the couple kneel or bow to serve them the
tea, and will then present them with an ang pao packet (cash gift).

After the ritual is over, the couple will sit in their seats and be greeted by the
children of their families who will call them “aunty” and “uncle”, and the
couple will give them ang pao. Traditionally, tea also symbolises purity,
stability, and fertility. It is a meaningful moment in a Chinese wedding as it
seen as the moment when the two families officially unite in marriage.
 AC
Moment Photography Studio. Source.
 

Je
nny Sun Photography. Source.
4. Red umbrella

Stories.My Photography & Videography. Source.

It’s got nothing to do with rain! The red umbrella is traditionally held by the
bride’s father to shelter the bride to the car as she is leaving the house to go
to the groom’s residence. During this time, the relatives will also throw rice
on top of the umbrella. This ritual is meant to protect the bride from evil
spirits that may be watching the house.
Daren Chong Photography . Source.

5. Loud noises
SimplyBenji Photography. Source.
When the bride arrives to the groom’s house, there will often be loud music,
gongs and firecrackers to celebrate her arrival. While it serves the purpose of
creating a festive atmosphere, it is also believed that loud noises will scare
away evil spirits, which is another reason why the groom’s procession will
honk their horns on the way to the bride’s house.

6.  Baby Boy on the Bed

MJKphotog
raphy. Source.
This is a unique tradition not found in other cultures. When the marital bed
has been set up, a baby boy from either one of the families born under the
Year of the Dragon will be made to play and roll around on the bed. The
belief behind this tradition is to ensure the couple will be blessed with a son,
which is very important in Chinese culture. If there is no baby relative at the
time of the wedding, a young boy can also take part, where he will jump on
the bed and play games with the couple.

In the olden days, sons traditionally stayed home after marriage while
daughters left to live with their in-laws. They also carried the family name.
Parents needed their sons to help take care of them in their old age, which is
why having more sons was celebrated and encouraged. In modern times,
this is not really the case, but the ritual lives on.

Davies Lee Photography. Source.

7. Throwing The Fan
Edwin Tan Photography. Source.
When the bride’s in the wedding car, she throws a pretty Chinese fan out of
the window. It is believed that when she does this, she also throws out her
‘bad temper’ and other negative qualities so that the couple will have a
happy and smooth marriage.

8. Greeting the Groom

Davies Lee Photography. Source.
When the groom arrives to the bride’s house, he must not leave the car by
himself. Traditionally, the bride’s brother must open the door for him and
escort him into the home. This symbolises the bride’s family accepting and
welcoming the groom to the family. If the bride does not have a brother, a
cousin may be recruited for the task.

9. Heng Tai Games

Once the groom and his groomsmen (known as ‘heng tai’) arrives to the
bride’s house, they will be expected to participate in “gatecrash games”
organised by the bridesmaids (or ‘ji mui’). They must complete these
“challenges” before the groom can be allowed inside the house to collect his
bride. These games are meant to humiliate the boys (all in great fun, of
course!) so more often than not, these games are quite PG-13! The more
creative and embarrassing, the better. Some examples are making the men
were diapers, drink disgusting concoctions, lick whipped cream off each
other’s toes…you get the idea.