Your Guide to Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony + Big Day Rundown
In recent years, many soon-to-be-married couples prefer hotels on Hong Kong Island as their send-off venue, which offer several advantages: first, most of them command unfettered seascapes, providing a naturally beautiful backdrop for photos. Second, hotels are usually more spacious and accommodate all bridesmaids, photographers, and ceremonies such as bride pick-up, send-off, and the Chinese wedding tea ceremony. Third, having the wedding in a hotel reduces travel time, avoiding any delay during auspicious hours.
Chinese wedding customs are complicated and tightly scheduled. To ensure every ritual on your big day goes off without a hitch, continue reading to learn about the wedding timeline and rundown for a smoothly executed and perfect wedding!
Big Day Rundown & Chinese Wedding Timeline
Hair Combing Ceremony: 0:00
It occurs the night before the wedding or early in the morning on the wedding day. The parents of the couple perform the hair combing ceremony in their homes respectively, symbolising the “coming of age” or attainment of the maturity of the couple. Note that the actual time usually varies with the auspicious time of the Chinese calendar.
Hair & Makeup for the Bridal Party 06:00 - 08:30
Makeup artists do makeup & hairstyling for the bride, her mother, and bridesmaids, who take turns having a simple breakfast and preparing wedding door games at the bride’s place.
Groomsmen’ Arrival 07:30 – 08:30
The groom and his entourage arrive at the wedding hotel and prepare for the bridal game and red envelopes, which will be given to the bridesmaids later. Meanwhile, they take turns to have breakfast.
Photographing the Preparations 08:00– 08:30
The photographer and videographer arrive and take shots of the bride getting ready, including all the associated details, i.e., dress, accessories, the venue, as well as behind-the-scenes moments, dressing ceremony, and bridesmaid group pictures.
Groomsmen Photoshoot 08:30– 09:00
The photographers go to take shots of the groomsmen picking up the bride.
Heng Tai Games 09:00– 09:30
During Heng Tai Games (also known as “Gate crashing” or “Collect the bride”), the groom and his friends will complete the challenge or obstacles set by the bride’s friends, then bribe the bridal party into releasing his bride back to him with a red packet.
Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony at the Bride’s 09:30– 10:00
After collecting the bride, the couple will participate in a wedding tea ceremony with the bride’s family before departure. The groom will kneel in front of the father-in-law on the right side, while the bride kneels in front of her mother on the left side. The groom will serve tea to the father-in-law and then the mother-in-law, followed by the bride.
Tea is served to the parents and older married relatives or elders in descending age order or level of closeness (e.g., parents, great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc).
Tea Ceremony at the Groom’s 10:00– 10:30
The couple will serve tea to the groom’s parents likewise, and the steps are the same as the above.
End of the Wedding Tea Ceremony
The newlyweds get ready for departure and take photos with the bridesmaids and groomsmen, or get prepared for the wedding dress change and marriage registration.
Important Chinese Wedding Traditions
Customs
- When the bride departs from the wedding hotel, the friends should avoid saying "goodbye."
- Unmarried elder siblings should not be present when the bride is departing.
- Prepare 3 essentials for departure: a red umbrella, rice, and green beans.
- The bridesmaid accompanying the bride to the groom's house must be unmarried.
- The groom's parents should not witness the bride's arrival.
Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony
Things to prepare:
- 1 pair of red kneeling cushions;
- tea sets for the ceremony (for parents and elders);
- wedding party paper cups (for peers like cousins)
- tea leaves or tea bags (avoid diet tea, which indicates a lack of prosperity in the forthcoming marriage), and
- boiling water for brewing tea.
- Prepare 2 cups of tea for each elder. Each cup should contain 2 lotus seeds (used as a blessing and hope for multiple children) and 2 red dates (symbolising good luck).
- Arrange for 3 bridesmaids to assist: one to prepare the tea and cups, one to hand over the teacups and convey auspicious blessings, and one to help with the gold jewellery and record their safekeeping.
Elevate Your Big Day & Chinese Tea Ceremony At Oasis aurum 181
What’s Included in Our Wedding Package
– One night stay in Harbour Suite
– Breakfast buffet* at The Tea Room for two persons
– Luxurious wedding red bedding
– Complimentary use of a wedding teapot set, wedding cushions and a clothes steamer
– Complimentary 1-hour parking for two cars on the same day*
– Late check-out until 2:00 pm
– Up to 20% discount for second room booking^
Book a stay in Oasis aurum 181 to elevate your wedding celebration and relish every moment with your loved one. If you have questions about the big day rundown, wedding packages, or simply want to know more about our wedding venues, get in touch with us by phone (852) 3181 1650 or email reservation@oasisaurum181.com.hk.
Kindly read the full Terms & Conditions before booking.
FAQ: Hotel Send-off and Wedding Preparations
Why do many couples choose a hotel as their send-off venue?
Traditional homes often have limited space, making it difficult to accommodate a large bridal party, groomsmen, and professional photography teams all at once. The primary advantage of choosing a hotel suite for your send-off is the spaciousness and exceptional natural lighting, which allow photographers to capture high-quality, cinematic shots. Furthermore, hotel suites typically feature separate living areas and bedrooms, providing clear zones for "gate crashing" games and ensuring the Chinese tea ceremony is conducted in a dignified, uncrowded environment. Without the hassle of tidying up or moving furniture at home, the couple can enjoy their wedding with elegance and ease.
How much time should typically be reserved for the hotel send-off?
We recommend setting aside approximately 3 to 4 hours to ensure you can enjoy the festivities without feeling rushed. A smooth send-off rundown usually encompasses hair and makeup, Chinese wedding door games, the tea ceremony, and the final departure rituals.
What are some common taboos or precautions to keep in mind on the big day?
While a hotel send-off is a modern choice, certain traditional etiquette should still be observed:
Tea Ceremony Details: When preparing the tea, ensure the temperature is not scalding, as the elders drinking the daughter-in-law's tea symbolises a blessing for wealth and prosperity. It is best to use red tea sets and avoid odd numbers.
Avoid Touching the Marriage Bed: If the "Setting the Bed" (An Chuang) ritual has been performed, or once the bride has put on her wedding shoes, she should avoid lying back down on the bed to maintain good fortune.
Auspicious Phrases: Remind the bridal party and groomsmen to use auspicious blessings during games and the tea ceremony to keep the atmosphere festive and harmonious.
How are parking and late check-outs usually handled for a hotel send-off?
Since the main wedding car is typically decorated and requires space for photos at the hotel entrance, we suggest inquiring with the hotel concierge in advance to reserve a spot at the main entrance or a specific pick-up zone for the entourage.
After the send-off ceremony, the newlyweds usually head directly to the groom's home or the wedding venue, but belongings may still be in the room. Many wedding staycation packages allow for a late check-out until 1:00 pm or 2:00 pm, giving the bridesmaids and groomsmen sufficient time to return, pack up their supplies, and check out.
What services are included in the Oasis aurum 181 Wedding Package?
Oasis aurum 181 understands the needs of modern couples. Our wedding package is specifically designed for contemporary celebrations and strives to provide a prestigious experience. Standard services include:
Luxurious Suite Accommodation: Spacious suites with independent living rooms offer ample room, perfectly catering to tea ceremony and photography requirements.
Traditional Wedding Essentials: The hotel thoughtfully provides Chinese tea sets, kneeling cushions, and festive red bedding, saving the couple the trouble of sourcing these items themselves.
Thoughtful Perks: Packages typically include complimentary parking spaces and the use of a clothes steamer, ensuring the couple greets their guests in impeccable style.
Specific package details and promotions may be adjusted seasonally; we recommend contacting the hotel team directly for the latest information.