Chinese weddings are a bit different from our weddings. Since there is no church involved, things are a bit easier. The first thing the couple has to do, is to apply for an appointment at the registry office. There they go and sign. The same evening usually, there is a party in a hall, restaurant or a hotel. Most people choose a hotel.
The event doesn't last long. There is the reception that lasts for about an hour. The couple stands in the lobby or in a place outside the room or hall where the celebration takes place and welcomes the guests. Hands are shaken, hugs and kisses given, photos taken, and of course many Hongbaos are given to the married couple. Hongbao is a red envelope that contains money. Red is the lucky colour, that's why the money is put in such an envelope. It's up to the guests how much they want to give, but there's something like a minimum of 500 RMB, a little over 50 pounds.
After an hour or so when all the guests have arrived and taken their seats, the couple enters the room. The scenarios vary. In this case, Bobo entered the stage and was taken to Cathy down the catwalk. In other cases, the bride appears on stage and the groom walks towards her doing a performance or something. Rings are exchange on stage, the groom may kiss the bride and the parents go on stage too. There is always an announcer, a host of the event and there is always a video presentation with greetings and wishes of people who couldn't make it to the wedding. Images and clips of the two are shown too.
After that, food is brought, a lot of food. There's music playing while people dine. Depending on the budget, it can be a band, a DJ or simply a CD or Playlist. While the people dine, the bride changes dresses. Unlike in many other countries, especially in the West, where the bride keeps her wedding dress on all night, here and in some other Asian countries, they take it off and wear a traditional dress.
Then the couple goes around the tables and the groom is invited to drink whatever the guests give him. In return, he receives Hongbaos. When people are done eating, roughly an hour or so later, the first guests start to leave. Three or so hours after the beginning of the reception, the event finishes. Some go to a club or KTV to party all night long.
Last night was the big night of Bobo and Cathy. They are not exactly my neighbours, because they don't live in my building, but in one opposite. Bobo has his studio across my flat, that's how we got to know each other. He is a musician, has his own band, but also has a recording studio, where other musicians come to rehearse and record their songs, and he held auditions for the Voice of China.
Cathy is an English language teacher and works in a training school. She's about to start her own business and I might be part of it.
Here are some photos of the event.
If you would like to read more by me, here are my novel and my diary from Ar'ar, in the northern Saudi desert. Both available on Amazon as soft and hard copy.
The event doesn't last long. There is the reception that lasts for about an hour. The couple stands in the lobby or in a place outside the room or hall where the celebration takes place and welcomes the guests. Hands are shaken, hugs and kisses given, photos taken, and of course many Hongbaos are given to the married couple. Hongbao is a red envelope that contains money. Red is the lucky colour, that's why the money is put in such an envelope. It's up to the guests how much they want to give, but there's something like a minimum of 500 RMB, a little over 50 pounds.
After an hour or so when all the guests have arrived and taken their seats, the couple enters the room. The scenarios vary. In this case, Bobo entered the stage and was taken to Cathy down the catwalk. In other cases, the bride appears on stage and the groom walks towards her doing a performance or something. Rings are exchange on stage, the groom may kiss the bride and the parents go on stage too. There is always an announcer, a host of the event and there is always a video presentation with greetings and wishes of people who couldn't make it to the wedding. Images and clips of the two are shown too.
After that, food is brought, a lot of food. There's music playing while people dine. Depending on the budget, it can be a band, a DJ or simply a CD or Playlist. While the people dine, the bride changes dresses. Unlike in many other countries, especially in the West, where the bride keeps her wedding dress on all night, here and in some other Asian countries, they take it off and wear a traditional dress.
Then the couple goes around the tables and the groom is invited to drink whatever the guests give him. In return, he receives Hongbaos. When people are done eating, roughly an hour or so later, the first guests start to leave. Three or so hours after the beginning of the reception, the event finishes. Some go to a club or KTV to party all night long.
Last night was the big night of Bobo and Cathy. They are not exactly my neighbours, because they don't live in my building, but in one opposite. Bobo has his studio across my flat, that's how we got to know each other. He is a musician, has his own band, but also has a recording studio, where other musicians come to rehearse and record their songs, and he held auditions for the Voice of China.
Cathy is an English language teacher and works in a training school. She's about to start her own business and I might be part of it.
Here are some photos of the event.
Receiving guests
Madame Butterfly
Waiting for the bride
Down on my knees (lucky me, I'm young and they don't hurt)
some funny anecdotes are told
vows
Thanking the guests for coming
take a bow in various directions
not quite the Lord of the Rings
hugs
and kisses
We have made it!
Thank you everyone!
FOOD!!!!
That's quite a lot of booze the groom has to drink, in order to get Hongbaos
Drinking with the guests. Bride is wearing a traditional dress.
Do you see the red envelopes on the table in front of Cathy and next to the box with the kinky content and the ones in her hand?
each drink means one envelope
Gambei!
gifts for the guests
reception decoration
Bree, the sister of either Bobo or Cathy. She calls them both her siblings, so I didn't understand whose sister she really is. Chinese families are a mystery. They call each other family, even though they are not related, and if they are, they are something else of what the say. A cousin is not really a cousin, but who knows what.
Taken with a beauty cam
Taken without a beauty cam. See the difference?
And some videos. They may not play on iPhones and iPads.
If you would like to read more by me, here are my novel and my diary from Ar'ar, in the northern Saudi desert. Both available on Amazon as soft and hard copy.
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