The Beauty Of A Chinese Tea Ceremony

Marcia & Isaac's Wedding was my first experience of a Chinese Tea Ceremony

A Chinese tea ceremony is a beautiful ancient tradition that signifies the joining of families in the most respectful and meaningful way. We recently documented a tea ceremony and it was truly a gorgeous ritual that was overflowing with sentiment and emotion.

The tea is prepared by members of the bridal party who also serve the tea and pass it to the couple. Two chairs are set up for the parents and family members who follow as the couple kneel on cushions and respectfully present the tea. Their loved ones drink the tea and often blessings and words of love and gratitude are exchanged as well as gifts of gold and money in red envelopes. Sometimes the couple will bow so low their heads will be touching the ground. Often there is weeping and tears during this very symbolic occasion.

Dating back to the Tang dynasty days (618-907), the traditional tea ceremony is an important cultural moment followed by many Asian communities around the world. As the families welcome each other into their inner circle, the ceremony also shows respect and acceptance of the union and wishes the couple a happy and bright future. 

The bridesmaids wash the cups after each guest sips the tea and make sure it is kept hot. The type of tea can be one the couple knows their parents like or with ingredients that symbolise luck, wealth, fertility and good health. Lily, red date, green tea, and lotus seed tea are common choices for the ceremony that usually lasts for 30 to 60 minutes. 

The couple's outfits, tea set, cushions and decorations are all red. Chinese characters, which translate to love, hope, wedding or good luck, will be placed on the windows or walls from the morning of the ceremony. Some couples have a tea ceremony in the morning and a Western wedding in the afternoon. This allows time for the complete hair, make-up and outfit change that takes place after the ceremony and photo and video shoot. Depending on the location of the wedding venues, the tea ceremony might be held at the home of the couple or family member or at the wedding venue. For very traditional families who want to hold the tea ceremony at the most auspicious hour, it might need to be held the day before the Western or another cultural wedding ceremony. 

Just like any wedding ceremony, there are many variations on what is expected. Often the grandparents or parents are involved in the planning of the tea ceremony to ensure age-old traditions and ways remain incorporated. It is a very special ceremony infused with courtesy, respect and love. If you ever get the opportunity to attend a tea ceremony, you will be as enchanted as we were with the proceedings. In the meantime, let us share some photos and video from the wedding we documented recently. It was a blessing to capture this lovely event.