This Chinese New Year was an eye-opener even to someone like me who had been celebrating this special occasion for the past twenty over years.

There are many more family practices we have to abide by and for me to learn.

For example, we would need to bring at least 8 Mandarin oranges back to in-law’s place with other gifts like abalone, bird nest and a box of chocolate.

Going back to the in-laws’ place for reunion dinner had to be planned 1 month before so that we could compromise on a date that can fit all. The reunion dinner was to be done on the day before new year’s eve as new year’s eve itself is reserved for the husband’s side.

After the reunion dinner, we have to come back with 8 oranges, 2 fried fishes and 2 big pans of carrot cakes. According to Cantonese custom, the wife has to return with lots of gifts so as to show that the wife’s side has a wealth of food to eat and even bring back.

Now, the next thing is for the in-laws to visit our family. It was really hard to fix a date as both of us have to be back in office to work…in holiday mood of course plus by the time my in-law leaves my house, it will be very late at night and it is only by then my wife can do her work.

Hmmm…I also don’t want her to sleep so late cos it is very unhealthy for her…but how to tell her parents? >.< Hmmm...what to do...and do you know what is one thing that even great man finds difficult to do...that is to talk back to her mother-in-law

Our first Chinese New Year as married couple was never the same for us despite our past 20 over years of celebration and going through similar routine.

When we woke up, it was our first time of giving a big fat ang pow to my mommy. (not my daddy as he had long passed away.)

When we reached our paternal grandparents’ home, it was our first time …giving of ang pow to the unmarried relatives unless they are older than us by a generation.

My little nephews and nieces were extremely excited when they saw us. Seeing us, for some, was equivalent of seeing a big increase in their collection of ang pows. I can’t blame them as even for our generation, at least for me, we were never taught why was there an exchange of red packets.

To me, when I was young, it was just another big amount of at least S$800 added to our piggy bank.

My married cousin teased me and asked me how do I felt to give out ang pow for our first time. I just gave her a weird smile…”hehe” – duh…but she was funny…she shared with us that she was very very “Happy”…

Okie…now I’m going to give out more ang pows to my cousins…and tonight I can’t join the celebration at my aunt’s place, where we go every year…but we are going back to our in-laws’ place…

and please don’t forget our ang pows and 12 mandarin oranges for them…>.< ..oh I forgot..another ang pow for my sister-in-law...hehe

Tea-ceremony was a quick one. It lasted only 15 – 25 minutes for so many relatives.

After which, I had to take off the hair pins of the bride’s hair and did it really very slowly so that my photographer could take good photos.

The bride now had to change into Chinese kua and we went back to her home.

At this point in time, a few friends of ours took our bridal attires to the hotel and helped us to check-in. Yeah! Almost half of the day had gone past and I could feel the tiredness slowly seeping through my bone…

Alright! Today was our happy day!!! Let’s move on to the other end of Singapore!!!

I receive an email enquiry on “Teochew Wedding custom”

As for me, I’m not a Teochew but this is what I ahve researched from the net and my reply of this email.

”
Hi Daisy,

I’m no wedding guru and my custom is more for Cantonese.

Am I right to say your hubby is a Teochew?

Bascially, the normal custom like “combing hair” on the day before wedding, mother-in-law will buy “si dian jin” for the bride should follow, groom’s parents giving “pin jin” (in the form of ang pows or number of tables with the ang pows collected)

Others are fetching bride before sunrise (auspicious timing is very important) (get see from “tong shu”)

Eventually, you need to check with the parents as they have their own family beliefs and customs or they could be quite modern.

To be more complete, you can go to the wedding shop at Chinatown town market temporary site (beside Outram Park MRT) to ask the shop owners. They have decades of experience selling wedding stuff and so they should know better. 🙂

I saw this thread in singaporebrides.com on some “dough fritters“. Not sure if your family follows it.

https://www.singaporebrides.com/forumboard/messages/1/358891.html#POST1663714

Cheers,
JR

”

If you have any enquiry, you can submit through this page. Just fill in the boxes.

When we left the bride’s home, we headed straight back to our home.

The weather during my wedding was nice and warm. The sun wasn’t very hot and luckily it didn’t rain. Can you imagine the inconvenience we may have if it poured?

When we reached home, all my relatives were here. We were very excited and delighted.

Time for tea-ceremony. Everyone got into position…my aunties prepared the tea-cups set and arranged two chairs side by side.

As each cup of tea was served, my cousin was saying nice words…he sounded like the Master of Ceremony for tea-ceremony. :p

Though we had to serve tea to at least 30 relatives, the tea-ceremony lasted for just 15 minutes or so.

Happy times passed very quickly!