I am getting married, and want to do it Chinese style (at least for the reception) as well as the tea ceremony. What are some great ideas for favors, bouquets, cakes, wedding colors, bridesmaid dresses...
Any suggestions you may have is appreciated!
2007-07-12 10:02:57 · 11 answers · asked by Benji's Mommy 6 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Oriental trading has tons of ideas.
Red envelopes.
Chinese colors are red, gold and black. I have seen fabulous glass coaster favors with asian symbol for love on them just the other day.
Usually the bride wears red--you don't have to be all in red or have 2 dresses but I'd recommend trying to throw that in there--either a red garter, red stockings, or a red item in your hair.
For the cake, have it decorated in asian symbols. I have seen cake toppers with several Chinese symbols frosted in glass--love, harmony, etc.
Dragon and phoenix are important symbols. Try to incorporate that into the centerpieces. Or look up the zodiac symbols. Any of those are very meaningful to the culture.
For your bouquet, I'd go mostly with red roses. I couldn't find much on asian flowers other than orchids which are very expensive. And lotus flowers which are rather large so perhaps you could get silk lotus flowers and sprinkle them around the cake or on the food table.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpslee/226885699/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66972807@N00/4505078/
For the bridesmaids--consider a dress with a mandarin collar. The color can be whatever you like and looks good on them, but a frog clasp with a mandarin collar will give that flair you want.
For favors--consider using the chinese takeout boxes. Or fans. You can buy the painted fans very inexpensively.
Paper lanterns can give a beautiful glow. Use sparingly and the small ones are more elegant but perhaps wrap around just the head table and cake table. Or use a larger paper lantern as the centerpiece.
Good luck and hope these ideas help!
2007-07-12 10:18:50 · answer #1 · answered by phantom_of_valkyrie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just know that the bride does not wear white as it is bad luck the bride is supposed to wear red because that is good luck. For favors you guys should have chocolate dipped fortune cookies in Chinese take out boxes I believe you order some somewhere on line and have your wedding date engraved on the boxes. Also you should have Chinese inspired cuisine for the reception. As for colors you gotta tell me what time of the year you are getting married that will give me a better idea. Bridesmaid dresses those should be a light shimmery gold that would be pretty. I think you should use sage in your wedding and red. You should use flowers native to China, and you guys should have those paper laterns that would be cool! You should also incorporate bamboo some where in your decor of the wedding. Use bamboo in the centerpieces. And what about cherry blossoms?
2007-07-12 10:26:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Solid yellow or red for colors. Do not use red ink on pure white paper, as white signifies death and is used at funerals. Gold on reddish paper works fine and you can get away with a cream colored paper. You could also have the Chinese dragon or phoenix images on the invitation.
For the reception --
Hang Chinese paper lanterns around the room. Cut out chinese symbols from red and gold cardboard and tape up on the walls. Use the symbols for double happiness, love, etc.
Get a large, paper or balloon Chinese dragon and hang it from the ceiling. Banners with red backgrounds and gold writing and images are popular. For centerpieces use red tablecloths with a gold lace topper. Set a single orchid in a slim vase for table centerpieces. Simple, yet elegant.
Float lotus blossoms and floating candles in silver bowls.
Fill bowls with fortune cookies and use as a centerpiece.
Candles are always well recieved as gifts. Etch or paint chinese good luck symbols or letters on frosted glass votive holders. Use as favors or place several together on tables as illumnating centerpieces.
2007-07-12 10:13:50 · answer #3 · answered by Frznoooo_Sam 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Scroll invitations
Personalized fortune cookies
Take out mini-boxes for favors
Paper laterns for decor
Program fans
Red and gold are traditional wedding colors
For bridemaids dresses you can find some asian style dresses in Chinatown quite unexpensivly (abput $0 dollaras a piece, be aware that they don't make sizes bigger than a 10-12 though)
For decor ideas:
www.orientaltrading.com
2007-07-12 10:21:55 · answer #4 · answered by Blunt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
here are some website that catering to the Chinese weddings hope the help you out a bit good luck and congratulations
2007-07-12 10:07:49 · answer #5 · answered by ladylynx26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know details. but the colors for Chinese happiness and good fortune ( hence , weddings) are different from the general color meanings in the US and England. solid white dressess are not the way to go.
So first, check out the proper color meanings and symbolism ( of birds and plants) in China.
the Google search for "Chinese Weddings" gives you lots of info and pictures
2007-07-12 10:09:22 · answer #6 · answered by nickipettis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Fortune cookies. You need a chinese wedding planner.
2007-07-12 10:08:05 · answer #7 · answered by oldknowitall 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds exciting find a local chinesse restraunt and ask if they will do some catering and bring some hot tea and go to search and type in chienesse themes
2007-07-12 10:06:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Red is the traditional color of luck,that's all i got.
2007-07-12 10:06:38 · answer #9 · answered by Cloud Strife 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No Bright white it is the color of death
No odd number groupings of things only even numbers except #4 that's bad luck too.
The tea ceremony is usually to honor the parents and grandparents.
Cherry Blossoms
3 wardrobe changes, off white dress, red chinese dress, and I'm not sure what the 3rd is (I never stay that long LOL)
Tipping your vendors with red envelopes to bring fortune to you as a result of your own generosity and sharing of your good fortune
Double happiness on your keepsake certificate of marriage
(I have one of those on file if you can open ms works)
Readings:
#1
Today's reading was written in China by an anonymous author in the first century. It is amazing how the ideals of love and marriage transcend the differences of time and culture to speak to the heart of all humanity. Their reading is called:
"The Key To Love"
"The key to love is understanding ...
The ability to comprehend not only the spoken word,
but those unspoken gestures,
the little things that say so much by themselves.
The key to love is forgiveness ....
to accept each others faults and pardon mistakes,
without forgetting, but with remembering
what you learn from them.
The key to love is sharing ...
Facing your good fortunes as well as the bad, together;
both conquering problems, forever searching for ways
to intensify your happiness.
The key to love is giving ...
without thought of return,
but with the hope of just a simple smile,
and by giving in but never giving up.
The key to love is respect ...
realizing that you are two separate people,
with different ideas;
that you don¡¦t belong to each other,
that you belong with each other, and share a mutual bond.
The key to love is inside us all ...
It takes time and patience to unlock all the ingredients
that will take you to its threshold;
it is the continual learning process
that demands a lot of work ...
but the rewards are more than worth the effort ...
and that is the key to love.."
#2
based on the Dalai Lama's
Instructions for Life in the New Millennium
"Take into account that great love
and great achievements involve great risk.
And that a loving atmosphere in your home
is the foundation for your life.
Be gentle with the earth, be gentle with one another.
When disagreements come remember always
to protect the spirit of your union.
When you realize you¡¦ve made a mistake,
take immediate steps to correct it.
Remember that the best relationship is one
in which your love for each other
exceeds your need for each other.
So love yourselves, love one another,
love all that is your life together and all else will follow."
#3
Based on the "Tao Te Ching" by Lao Tzu,
"Explore and discover that which is within.
When we find ourselves,
we are more easily found by others.
Without words, without even understanding,
lovers find each other.
The moment of finding is always a surprise,
like meeting an old friend never before known.
Life and marriage are a wondrous journey,
ever unfolding an opportunity
to rediscover ourselves and our beloved
again and again for even on a shared journey
the only thing constant is change.
Embrace it and let it lead you
to many a glorious tomorrow."
#4
from The Lost Sutras of Jesus, Christian monks who lived and worked in China from the 6th century
"Love leads to truth; perfect love to perfect truth.
Truth is like the moon reflected in the water;
when the water is stirred up and muddy,
the image is blurred and indistinct,
so it is with human beings when our spirit is clouded.
Let your love be a pure compassion for one another,
without seeking its own glory,
let it be true in your own hearts.
Let your spirits guide you
to what is right and true and just.
This is the way love leads us
along the path of peace and joy to Truth."
Ring blurb I reworked this one with the Yin/Yang theme
"The ring, a circle, is one of nature¡¦s simplest forms. The arc of the rainbow, the halo of the moon and the smallest of raindrops simulate the circle. A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of perfection and of peace. As the Yin and the Yang share the circle of life, each with a drop of the other residing deep within so shall you become with the promises you make this day. May these rings serve as a physical reminder that you are an essential part of something larger than yourselves, and that you are truly loved."
Double Happiness Candle
"Our Bride and Groom have chosen to include a candle lighting in their ceremony, yet it is one that reflects who and how they are within their relationship. They have chosen to use a "Double Happiness Candle" Separately the characters mean happiness. They stand as two individuals who are whole and strong in and of themselves. Together they shall become double happiness which is the character for marriage. Two individuals joined by something larger
than themselves seeking only their togetherness and the happiness of the one whom they love most in the world. ____ and ____ will you now come to the altar as Husband and Wife?
Bride and Groom step behind the altar
(gives photographer clean shot & lets guests see)
The flame that you are about to light represents spark of divinity that lives deep within you both. It is a reminder that marriage is a sacred union in which it is your higher selves that you are promising to one another and the very best that you have to give always.
Bride and Groom light their candle
Bringing with you all the joys of your yesterdays and the promise of all your tomorrows, from two that were separate,
will you now, join your candles together as one, one character, one life
Bride and Groom join their candles as one
The strength of two joined together in marriage is a beautiful and powerful force. Living by these promises that you make today, may your lives together be blessed with love and laughter, with wisdom and wonder
Bride and Groom return to places
The large one like I have used is here
http://www.unicahome.com/p20070/goods-of-desire/michelles-pick-
double-happiness-candles-by-goods-of-desire.html%5B/url
The set of 3 like a western unity set can be made from below.
http://www.bridalpeople.com/asian-wedding-traditions/15297.asp
http://www.bridalpeople.com/asian-wedding-traditions/15296.asp
2007-07-12 11:36:34 · answer #10 · answered by bountifiles 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋