A Chinese tea ceremony is a beautiful and meaningful tradition, symbolizing respect, unity, and blessings for a couple and their families. While it is a beautiful cultural tradition, it can also sometimes feel overwhelming to plan. Our Chinese cultural wedding experts here at My Wedding Songbird have crafted a tea ceremony guide with times and tips, to help you ease this overwhelm and enjoy the celebration!
1. Getting Ready
Time: (2 Hour+) Depending on the day you are planning to host your ceremony, and the number of people in your wedding party, getting ready can take 2-3 hours. This includes time for hair, makeup, getting dressed, and capturing pre-ceremony photos.
Tip: Start early to avoid feeling rushed, and ensure all your vendors, like the photographer and makeup artist, are aware of the schedule.
2. Set Up
Time: (2 Hour+) The time here largely depends on whether you envision a grand or intimate setup. Whether you’re just putting on simple decors on the walls or hiring vendors like florists, decorators, and rentals… etc. Be sure to set out time to arrange the tea set, brew the tea, set out the kneeling pads, the seating, and symbolic decors, such as red lanterns, double happiness decors, floral arrangements, a floral backdrop for family photos, and any personal extras you and your family wish to include.
Tip: Assign a dedicated person to oversee the setup, ensuring everything is in place before guests arrive. A tea ceremony coordinator is perfect for this role.
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3. Door Games
Time: (30 Minutes to an hour) Door games are where, traditionally, the groom must "prove" his love by completing challenges set by the bridesmaids with the help of his groomsmen before being granted entry to the bride, who’s usually hiding in a room. The groom and groomsmen will generally prepare red envelopes with cash inside to “bribe” the bridesmaids if they can’t accomplish the challenges. This is a fun lighthearted way to get the energy started.
Tip: Keep the games simple and to maintain the flow and timing of the day. Since the bride is typically hiding in the room, it’s a good idea to assign one of the bridesmaids to be on video chat with the bride so she can enjoy witnessing the door game too.
4. Tea Ceremony at the Bride’s House
Time: (30-60 Minutes) The bride’s family tea ceremony is traditionally held at her family home first. The couple serves tea to her parents, grandparents, and close relatives as a sign of gratitude and respect. Depending on the logistics and timeline, sometimes the tea ceremony is done directly at the venue instead of the parents’ houses. The tea ceremony can sometimes be incorporated into the wedding ceremony or during the cocktail hour or reception.
Tip: Prepare travel logistics in advance if a second ceremony is planned at the groom’s house afterward.
5. Serving Tea to Parents
Time: (10-15 Minutes) The couple kneels before their parents to serve tea, expressing gratitude and respect. In return, the parents share blessings and gifts, such as gold jewelry or red envelopes.
Tip: Ensure all the materials are ready and the tea set is ready to save time during the ceremony.
6. Serving Tea to Relatives
Time: (5 Minutes Per Round) After serving their parents, the couple moves on to other close relatives, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles. This part can vary depending on family size and preferences. If you’re expecting to serve tea to more than just the parents, it is best to have the tea ceremony before the first look or even on a separate day.
Tip: Have a host or MC announce the order of relatives to avoid confusion and ensure everyone knows when it’s their turn. We have tea ceremony coordinators who assist us greatly with this part Learn more about our services HERE
7. Family Photos
Time: (30 Minutes to an hour) Once the tea ceremony concludes, take time to take family photos to create lasting memories! Set out more time, if you have a bigger group. Tip: Prepare a list of family groups in advance to make this process easy and organized.
8. Tea Ceremony at the Groom’s House
Time: (30-60 Minutes) After the bride’s family ceremony, the couple travels to the groom’s family home for a second tea ceremony. The couple then repeats the process in steps 5-7 for the groom's side of the family.
Why Work with a Wedding Planner?
As wedding planners with years of experience in Chinese tea ceremonies, we ensure every detail is thoughtfully executed, from cultural traditions to stunning design. Our goal is to let you and your family fully enjoy this beautiful moment without the stress of managing the logistics.
Ready to plan the perfect tea ceremony?
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