Lively and full of color， Chinese weddings are lavish affairs that are as much about the happy couple as they are about their respective families. A celebration marked by rituals and traditions， many symbolic aspects focus on blessings of prosperity， abundance， and happiness for the couple from both friends and family members.

中式婚礼是一场生动有趣、丰富多彩的盛事。不仅幸福的新婚夫妻参与其中，双方家庭也共同参与这场庆祝。中式婚礼颇为注重礼仪和传统，充满了来自双方亲友寓意繁荣兴旺、殷实富裕和幸福美满的祝愿。

To learn more about Chinese weddings， we consulted experts Celia Yu and Nicole Froelich.

为了对中式婚礼有更多了解，我们请教了专家西莉亚·于（音译）和妮科尔·弗勒利希。

The betrothal

订婚

Known as the Guo Da Li， before the wedding ceremony the groom will present betrothal1 gifts （gold jewelry， dragon and phoenix wax candles， tea leaves and sesame seeds， wine or brandy， etc.） symbolizing prosperity and good fortune as a formal proposal to the bride’s parents. They， in turn， will return half of the gifts as an acceptance of the proposal and show that they wish to have a good relationship with the groom’s family.

订婚又称过大礼，即：婚礼之前，新郎将象征着繁荣兴旺和好运的订婚礼物（金首饰、龙凤蜡烛、茶叶、芝麻、葡萄酒或白兰地等）送给新娘父母，代表正式提亲。新娘一家会返回一半礼物，也就意味着接受了提亲，并希望与新郎一家友好相处。

Choosing the wedding date

选定婚期

The date of the wedding ceremony isn’t chosen by chance. The couple’s Chinese zodiac sign， birthday details （the bride’s birthday is preferred to the groom’s） will play a big role in choosing a date that is the perfect fit.

举行婚礼的日期并非随机选择。主要根据男女双方的生肖、生辰八字（新娘的生日比新郎的生日更重要）择定良辰吉日。

The invitation

喜帖

The Chinese wedding invitation is typically red with gold lettering and bears the Double Happiness symbol. Inside， it’ll include dates for the wedding banquet， order of birth， and names of the bride， groom， and respective parents. Details for the dinner venue， the timing for the cocktail reception and dinner will be included as well.

中式婚礼的邀请函通常为红底金字，用双喜字装饰。邀请函内含婚宴的日期、家中排行，以及新郎新娘和各自父母的名字。婚宴地点、酒会和用餐时间等细节也包括在内。

Preparing the marriage bed

安置婚床

The An Chuang usually takes place on an auspicious day and time， two to three days before the wedding. “This tradition is carried out by a female relative of good fortune—one with parents， husband， children， and grandchildren—where the bed will be dressed in new red color beddings and pillows with a mix of dried fruits and nuts such as longans， persimmons， and red dates，” explains Yu. The combination symbolizes a sweet and long-lasting marriage blessed with fertility and well wishes. Yu also explains that no one can sit or sleep in the bed until the couple returns together at the end of the night of the wedding.

“安床”通常会选在婚礼前二至三天的一个黄道吉日。