Westernized Chinese Wedding
The Chinese tradition of wedding celebrations is considered as one of the most colorful in terms of practices around the world. But aside from their wedding culture, the Chinese wedding reception have also been known for its several important customs. In fact, the Chinese consider their wedding reception as the most important event than the actual wedding ceremonies. This said, there are major differences between the western-style wedding reception from the Chinese. Unlike the wester traditions, the grooms family pays all the Wedding and reception expenses. These events are usually elaborate and expensive, and may cost the grooms family several years income. Major differences include the food served in the wedding reception. A Chinese wedding reception typically has nine or ten courses. By the end of the tenth course, the groom and bride, along with their families, will line up at the entrance/exit to bid the guests farewell and thank them for coming. For the Chinese, it is not polite to leave before the last dish is served. Expensive dishes such as shark fin, abalone, lobster, jumbo shrimp, squab, sea bass, or sea cucumber are common on a Wedding banquet menu. The average cost of higher-end menus ranges from USD$1,000 to $1,600 per table. The difference of the food served in western wedding receptions to Chinese is that the westerners may not feel comfortable seeing dishes with a fish head, chicken head, or pig head, whereas a whole fish, chicken, or pig means luck and completeness in Chinese wedding culture. Traditionally, after the fifth dish of the dinner, the groom and bride and their families will approach each table to toast the guests. If the groom or the bride cannot drink, it is the best man, bridesmaid, or usher groups responsibility to drink for them. Very often, the bride will change into a traditional Chinese red wedding dress at that time. Weddings gifts in a Chinese wedding reception usually involves cash or a check. In addition to that, some elder relatives might also give gold jewelry. Cash and checks should be in a red envelope or red pocket with the givers names on it, and it is always given when signing in at the restaurant. Unless the wedding couple has a wedding registry, it is best not to give gifts or gift certificates. However, current Chinese wedding reception practices have now been influenced by western style wedding cultures. Banquet procedures of the Chinese now involves a speech from the parents, the best man, the maid of honor, and the guest speaker. Chinese Wedding receptions have now included the cutting of the cake, the western-style toast, as well as dancing. Games and tea ceremonies, however, are still practiced in all Chinese wedding receptions. For more information visit to our site at http://philippineweddingplanner.com