Diyi + Ran’s Wedding at Oheka Castle-Day 1 Chinese Tea Ceremony

Check out the link to their actual wedding day: https://www.yunliphotography.com/diyi-rans-wedding-at-oheka-castle-day-2-wedding-day/wedding-day/

The bride and groom are both from China, so they decided to have a traditional Chinese tea ceremony on the day before their actual wedding day. The tea ceremony took place at their wedding venue – Oheka Castle, the most luxurious wedding venue in New York. In traditional Chinese weddings, the tea ceremony is an important and symbolic event that is often incorporated to show respect and gratitude towards the bride and groom’s parents and elders. The act of serving tea is a gesture of respect, and the ceremony solidifies the joining of two families. Here’s a brief description of how the tea ceremony, in the context of a wedding, is conducted to show respect to parents and elders:

Procedure:
- The bride and groom will kneel or bow while presenting the tea to their elders.
- The couple will use both hands to offer the tea cup to each relative.
- After drinking the tea, the elders will give the couple red envelopes (“hong bao”) containing money or jewelry, symbolizing their blessings for the couple’s future.
Addressing While Serving: The bride and groom will address each family member in a specific way when they offer tea, which reflects their new relationship. For instance, after marriage, the groom’s parents will be addressed by the bride as “Mother” and “Father”, showing her entry into the new family.
Dress Code: During the tea ceremony, the couple traditionally wears “Qun Kwa” or “Qun Gua” – a traditional two-piece red dress. The dress is often adorned with intricate embroidery representing good luck, prosperity, and dragons and phoenixes which symbolize a harmonious marriage.
Tea Used: The tea typically used for the ceremony is sweet, often a combination of red dates and lotus seeds, which symbolize sweetness in the relationship and the wish for the couple to have children soon.

Incorporating the tea ceremony into modern weddings can vary based on personal choices and cultural fusion. While some might stick to the traditional format, others might modify it to better suit their unique blend of cultures or personal beliefs. Regardless of how it’s conducted, the core of the ceremony – showing respect and gratitude – remains unchanged.