Hong Kong Wedding Custom part 2

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We, Chinese believe that red brings good luck. Red symbolises happiness. Traditionally, white is avoided. But in modern society, the bride wears a white gown and the groom wears a black suit. I get to have a tuxedo…>.< For guests, it is not advisable to wear black or dark color dress or suit to the wedding.

 On that day of the wedding and at a pre-determined auspicious time, the groom will go to the bride’s house to fetch her. To gain access into the house, the groom has to give “laisee” (red packet money) to the bridesmaid or attendants “guarding” the door. Normally, these “sisters are made up of close friends of the bride and they will also help out in the bridal recpetion at night during the wedding dinner.

 The “windfall” is divided to…errrr…into the pockets of the “door-keepers” who are the sisters.

 Then, the groom will be allowed to fetch the bride from the house to the bridal car. The bride will be in the wedding gown and she is sheltered with a red umbrella. Then., off they will go to the groom’s house. Normally, the car will make a big round as Chinese believes that going in huge circle is a good luck sign.

Then, it is the time-honored tea-serving ceremony and there is a prescribed order of serving tea: groom’s parents, elder relatives to younger relatives. Guest will present a laisee which may be in ang-pow or a piece of jewellery. Serving tea is a form of expression of filial piety to the groom’s parents and relatives. Wow…so many things to do…and by that time, the bride and groom could be quite tired physically and mentally…due to sleepless nights prior to this wedding day.

For previous post on wedding customs, you can go here.