Chinese Wedding Banquet Etiquette.
As if trying to behave with some grace and poise at a conventional wedding isn’t stressful enough:
What! No one will be looking at my white dress, they’ll be looking at the bride. That guy I was with last night was the grooom? Dancing, pain-killers and vodka aren’t lethal, are they? And, someone could have told me my dress was tucked into the back of my pantyhose, while I was giving my toast!
I’m going to my very first traditional Chinese Wedding — so, I think the odds will be stacked slightly higher for me.
How intimidating is this? They don’t call it a reception…the party after the ceremony is a wedding banquet! How Ming Dynasty does that sound?
My understanding is that there usually is not an open bar (oh boy…no, that’s a good thing.) And they probably will not be serving egg rolls or Four Happiness Chicken.
I predict there will be a McDonalds near the event.
Serving Four Happiness Chicken at your Wedding Banquet has got to get you off to a good start I’d think.
I heard they will be having Shark Fin soup…
No worries! There are usually so many people at these things nobody cares what you wear. I’d say it is even less stifling than at a traditional Western wedding.
Thanks Hsien!
Now I can relax…and return the new dress I bought!
Good luck. I’d suggest doing some web surfing. If it were me, I’d feel better just knowing I was a bit more educated, having a better idea of what to expect.
Hi Karen,
I’m on the same page…I found some wonderful sites on traditional Chinese weddings…there certainly is a lot to learn!
Kim, You’re going to know more about Chinese weddings than the average Chinese person, including me!
LOL at Hsien. Kim, I think you’ll do fine. You’re doing some research and you’ll pretty much know what to expect.
I’ve only ever been to traditional Christian weddings, so if I went to something different, like a Catholic wedding, I’d want to do some research. I wouldn’t know when to stand, kneel, or what to do. LOL
Let us know how it goes. I’m sure the clothing will be beautiful.
Hsien/Karen:
Thanks so much for checking in…
I will be attending with my Chinese/British friend and his Japanese wife…I’m sure they will help us if we start to make fools of ourselves…LOL
btw Karen, at a Catholic wedding, the priest tells you when to stand, sit, sing, etc.
That’s good that you’ll have someone to help you out.