Updated on: Feb 20, 2024
The Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony is a very important tradition where it symbolizes the respect newlyweds have for their elders along with the acceptance that they receive back. There is a lot that goes into these ceremonies so you want to make sure you have everything right and exactly how you want it!
Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony: Meaning
What is the Chinese Tea Ceremony
The origin behind the Chinese Tea Ceremony Ritual tea-drinking, which originated in China was actually practiced in Japan during the Kamakura period (1192–1333) by Zen monks. They drank tea to stay awake during long sessions of meditation, since then it became a part of Zen ritual honoring the first patriarch. The Chinese Tea Ceremony is on the same day of the wedding, the bride and groom serve tea to their parents, in-laws, and other family members. It symbolizes the union of two families, it is a meaningful part of the day.
Types of Tea
There is a variety of teas one can have to hand out at these ceremonies for all your guests attending. You can have
- Green Tea
- Oolong Tea
- Red Tea
- Black Tea
- White Tea
- Yellow Tea
- Puerh Tea
- Flower Tea
Usually during this time Tea leaves are regularly turned inside of a deep bowl.
Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony: Preparation
Clothing
Traditionally Everyone attending has to dress formally wearing things like suits and dresses. For the bride and groom, they will need to wear red silk formal clothing, something like a Tang suit, and Hanfu is what's expected. If the bride is wearing a Tulle Veil that also has to be in red for everything to go together.
Decoration
It depends on the type of symbolism and theme that the wedding is going for but it's recommended to have read somewhere involved in the decorations. Doing things like making the primary colors gold and red symbolizes “Double Happiness”, decorating with exciting things like firecrackers and lanterns should really brighten up the room. What would really tie in everything would be having motifs displayed in the room, traditionally people like to put the dragon or phoenix as they represent the Chinese marriage gods.
The Set Up
What you want to include specifically during the setup phase is some kneeling pillows, two chairs, and a table to place the items such as cups, teas, teacups, and so on. With this in place, it allows you to practice how to properly hold and pour your cup of tea as well as recite the lines that are going to be spoken at the ceremony.
Practicing
Both the groom and bride will be on each other's side with the bride on the left and the groom on the right. The chairs will be occupied by the parents of the couple while they will be kneeling down on the pillows. Once this is done the groom and bride will serve the parents the tea, you will first give it to the parents then the grandparents, and finally the relatives/friends.
Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony: Ending
What Happens After
After the Ceremony is over the parents will give the gifts they have selected for the newlyweds along with some wise words (advice).
Gifts
If you're going to attend a Chinese Tea Ceremony and were thinking of giving a gift here are some ideas on what to consider to get for the newlyweds
Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony: Conclusion
These are some of the helpful tips and lessons are taken from other Chinese Tea Ceremonies so that you may one day have your own or know what's going on if you attend. Simple and easy steps to surely help you out for that big day! We want to make your wedding perfect so check out all our wedding ideas. We also provide a wedding checklist and budget, plus ideas for vows and flowers!
Contributors: Orlando Guiterrez and Jack Leduc