Cantonese wedding
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Most Cantonese weddings follow the main Chinese wedding traditions, although some rituals are unique to the Cantonese.
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[edit] Bride price
The bride price is often subject to the groom's family economic status. Most brides' families try to avoid giving the impression of "selling the daughter" by not demanding a high bride price. In Cantonese tradition, the bride price can be in the form of gold jewelry, fine fabric or money.
[edit] Exchange of gifts
Monetary presents are usually offered in the form of a red envelope, or lai see (Chinese: 利是; pinyin: li4 shi4; Jyutping:lei6 si6), to the new couple. The lai see symbolises luck and prosperity to the new family. It is also common to give gold jewelry as presents. Wedding presents to the couple are usually expected from the elders (traditional Chinese: 長輩; simplified Chinese: 长辈; pinyin: zhang3 bei4; Jyutping:zoeng2 bui3), family members who are older or of higher generation rank than the newlyweds.
[edit] Tea ceremony
The elders sit while the couple serves tea to each one, beginning with the head of the family. The elder in return will offer a small present (usually lai see or gold jewellery) to the couple. This is repeated with the other elders in the order of descending generation rank.
Family members of the same rank as the couple will stand while the couple either stands or kneels while serving them tea. Again, gifts are offered to the couple.
Family members who are younger or of lower rank (traditional Chinese: 後輩; simplified Chinese: 后辈; pinyin: hou4 bei4; Jyutping:hau6 bui3) than the couple will take turns to serve tea to the couple. By this time the couple will have been seated. In return, the couple will usually offer each of them a small present (usually lai see).
The tea ceremony is also an opportunity for the bride and groom to express gratitude towards their parents for looking after them until the wedding day. In Chinese families, one is considered an adult and independent when one gets married. This also serves as the event during which the family meets the new spouse and welcomes him or her to the family.
[edit] See also
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