Understanding wedding traditions for what they are
“30 to 40 years ago, tradition and custom was key,” shares Leticia Hsu, a wedding planner with 18 years of experience.
“Back in those days, the customary ceremonies (i.e. the gor tai lai or tea ceremony) was the most important part of the wedding – there would not be such a thing as a non-religious ceremony or pre-wedding photos.”
So why is it important to understand the meanings behind the age-old wedding rituals that find a prominent place at Chinese weddings today?
According to Leticia, the biggest source of confusion happens when there’s a contrast of how things have always been done, versus how the family prefers it.
Doing your own research or relying on the expertise of a professional wedding chaperone (see below) will eliminate a lot of the indecision – if your aim is truly to preserve your traditional Chinese culture, then stick to the way things have always been done.