Post # 1
Member
51 posts
Worker bee
So I am having a dilemma how wedding day will work. We are planning to have a Chinese tea ceremony and I don’t know when to hold it. My other cousins have actually done it during the reception, which I don’t really want because I don’t want to bore people during a party. I don’t want to do it in the morning at my parent’s home because it is too small to hold our 50+ extended families. We were thinking of having it a couple hours before our ceremony at the site, but then our families will just be hanging out until the ceremony starts.
Does anyone have any suggestions in terms of timing how long this may take or even any suggestions in general??
Post # 3
Member
570 posts
Busy bee
Post # 4
Member
562 posts
Busy bee
I’m having trouble figuring this out as well. I have a large family as well but am not sure how many will be attending our wedding We don’t want to do it during the reception for the same reason – plus I can’t imagine changing out of my wedding gown into a chipao and then back into my gown without losing precious eating or dancing time lol. We were going to do it before the actual day, but then any Out of Town family would miss out. So I’m thinking of doing it the day after so that I can wear my chipao and the whole family can partake. I know it’s not traditional since it usually is on the day of, but Mrs. Hamster just posted about hers and how you should do it however it is most comfortable for you and your Fiance. It also depends on how traditional your parents are, but I know my mom will just be happy that we are doing it.
Post # 5
Member
463 posts
Helper bee
I can only tell you how our tea ceremony went. We had about 18 couples for our tea ceremony and it took about 25 minutes give or take. 5 of those couples were from my husbands side which is not chinese, so they just quickly drank their tea and said thanks! lol. My family took much longer in presenting gifts, saying words of wisedom or wishes. I can tell you all couples will vary. Our ceremony was also quick since we had all the teacups set up already (by our venue) and two people pouring tea, while my Maid/Matron of Honor passed them to me on a serving tray. This made it very efficient and quick.
As for time, we did our tea ceremony during cocktail hour. Some people watched, others didn’t and food and drinks were passed out as we did the tea ceremony.
I hope that helps! if you have any questions let me know.
Post # 6
Member
69 posts
Worker bee
We’re having it before the western ceremony. My parents were insisting that this is tradition – the groom has to pick you up from your parent’s house. I had originally wanted to do it during the reception itself to save on time and driving all over town.
Post # 7
Member
3 posts
Wannabee
@Ms. Purple: Thanks so much, that’s pretty much exactly how I was planning to have our tea ceremony. I’m glad that it didn’t take relatively long, because we may have around the same number of couples or slightly more, and I don’t want my family to miss out on the cocktail hour.
Did you have cups set out for each person?
Is there an “MC” for the ceremony? Does the couple have to announce anything? Or do we just call out our family members in order and start pouring tea?
