Groom fetching Bride - 迎亲日 Ying Qing Ri

Traditionally, groom will send a bridal sedan chair/bridal carriage to pick up the bride. A procession of musicians to play wedding music all the way and gifts will also be brought to the bride’s family. The procession may be also accompanied by a male child/or a group of children to signify future sons. In many instances a lion dance procession and attendants with lanterns and banners will accompany the procession.

In modern day, the groom will prepare a wedding car to pick up the bride. The groom and groomsman will decorate the car before it is ready for use. When the car arrives, a male child will be assigned to open the door for the groom to come down. And before the groom actually can enter the house, he will be blocked by the bride’s family or friends who will not surrender the bride so – fast!. Often, offers of red packet and a series of tasks/questions have to be fulfilled to the bride’s friends before he is allowed to enter the house to fetch the bride.

In some cases, the groom will be invited to have some food (snacks) with the bride’s family. Sometimes, he may be offered a pair of chopsticks and two wind goblets wrapped in red paper. Some grooms may also be offered sweet longan tea, two hard-boiled eggs and transparent noodles. These are to symbolize that the groom is happy and contented to receive the bride.

Some groom may also have to drink a soup of soft-boiled eggs, where the groom is supposed to break the yolk. This is symbolic of the bride having to break her ties with her family.

For many modern Chinese, the couple may hold the tea ceremony for the bride’s family. The bride’s parents will be served first followed by other relatives. Just as in the tea ceremony at groom’s house which I have described next.

Related : Traditional Chinese Wedding Procedures
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