Traditionally, Chinese brides change outfits several times throughout the course of their wedding day. Though historically some women would change dresses up to 30 times in one wedding, modern brides usually include between two and four costume changes as part of their weddings.

In addition to the exchange of gifts between the couple’s families, guests to a Chinese wedding are expected to bring gifts. There is a particular set of know-how with regard to choosing, giving and accepting gifts at a traditional Chinese wedding, with some types of gifts favored over others and some types to be avoided at all costs.

Gifts Between Families

So, the big day is over and you’ve been blissfully married to your love. Now what? Though the chaos of the wedding day might be over, there’s still more to come. Chinese tradition stipulates that several rituals be performed in the days following the wedding ceremony to make sure that appreciation has been shown to both the bride’s and groom’s families.

Chinese weddings start early in the morning, with special events continuing throughout the day, ending with a reception in the evening. The list of traditions and order that they should be performed can be confusing, especially as many modern couples modify the order of events for a more contemporary feel. The following list gives an idea about the typical customs included in a traditional Chinese wedding day.

Bride’s home - early morning

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. So much thought and preparation goes into planning for the big day, but what about those special customs that come in the days beforehand? Traditional Chinese weddings include a variety of activities that go on before the couple’s special day.

Choose auspicious dates
According to tradition, some dates are luckier than others. The date you choose for your wedding is extremely important, as are those of your pre-wedding activities, like the betrothal and gift exchange.