Post # 1

Member
25 posts
Newbee
Has anyone heard of changing into a reception dress? One of my bridesmaids asked if I was going to do this. Honestly I never heard of such thing but she insisted that most Chinese brides do this. Anyone has done this or plan on doing this?
Post # 3

Member
359 posts
Helper bee
In chinese traditions, you change dresses multiple times for the tea ceremony, ceremony, cocktail hour, reception (sometimes twice during reception).
But for most Chinese weddings, I see the bride wearing the white wedding dress for the ceremony and then half way through the reception, she changes into a qi-pao or cheongsam. I plan on changing into a red qi-pao halfway through the reception. If you do plan on doing this, check to see if your venue has a bridal suite or room to do this, because changing in the women’s bathroom is not a good idea.
Post # 4

Member
5 posts
Newbee
Most of the brides I know do change to a reception dress and/or a traditional (Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese etc..) dress, but I think it’s up to you. I do know from their experiences that it was a bit stressful and time consuming. Good luck!
Post # 5

Member
25 posts
Newbee
I think I will be wearing qi pao or cheongsam (I’m not sure the difference to be honest with you) during the tea ceremony.
Thanks all..
Post # 6

Member
114 posts
Blushing bee
i’m filipino marrying a chinese and i’ve kinda adopted this tradition. i’ll be wearing my new wedding gown during the catholic ceremony. then a cheong sam during the tea ceremony during cocktail hour. back to my wedding gown for the reception. then i had my mom’s wedding dress updated, so i’ll be changing into that later in the reception. at first i thought it was going to be so cumbersome to change multiple times (and it probably will be!) but i’m really excited to wear my mom’s wedding dress. it’s going to be so special for both of us!
Post # 7

Member
84 posts
Worker bee
- Wedding: October 2007 - Ceremony at a cement and stained glass cathedral and reception at a boutique hotel ballroom
I do know that it’s Chinese tradition to change 2-4 times throughout the night (wedding gown, tea ceremony outfit–kwa i believe it’s called, cheongsam, and one last evening gown), but it’s totally your wedding and you should do what you feel comfortable with. One of my friends had a Chinese banquet and didn’t change out of her wedding dress because she loved wearing it so much. For my wedding reception, I’m changing once into a shorter ivory "party" dress. For my Chinese banquet reception, I’ll be wearing a kwa and changing into my cheongsam. But for me, I kind of like the idea of an excuse to wear a bunch of different dresses.
Post # 8

Member
20 posts
Newbee
I’ve seen that a lot on weddingbee. I’m not Chinese but I have considered changing into a lighter, cooler dress for the reception, simply because I get hot just wearing the one I am wearing for the ceremony!