My sister just got married on 13th July2010...
As the Big sister, i had to help my dearest sister to prepare her dowry according to the Chinese Traditions and customs. 3 years ago i also had to prepare those things for myself, preparation was not easy as well coz mom said i was the first daughter that got married. This time, mom still asked me to prepare for my sister because i have experience!!
LOL... i actually learned all these from my sister in law, my aunties, also collecting information from all the previous weddings of my cousins that i have attended, and some research from books, etc...
So, since i have the time today i'm gonna share with all of you about the preparations for Chinese Traditional Wedding, so you will know what to buy....
Chinese Wedding betrothal and dowry
The bride to be will have to buy a new Tea Set with pot and cups for the tea ceremony....
This tea set will be brought over to the groom's house together with other dowry on the wedding day, after the tea ceremony at the groom's, then the tea set will be used again at the bride's house after returning from the groom's.
A pair of glasses for the groom and the bride...
(This is supposed to be prepared for them to brush the teeth in the morning)
A set of bowls for them to eat the sweet soup, normally the glutinous rice balls.
A small pail with 2 glasses, 2 sets of tooth brush, tooth paste, powder, and small facial towels
There is another basket to be filled up with all sorts of sewing kits, such as needles, threads, scissors, etc which means that the bride will be a very good wife who knows how to do all the sewing tasks.
A red umbrella is compulsory, for the good life (married and live happily with husband and children) auntie to shade the bride while escort her to the car, and entering the groom's house.
Choose these nice red color fabric for decorating your baskets...
Two pairs of slippers for the bride and the groom.....
This pair of golden chicken will be leading the way, called at "Tai Lu Ji" -带路鸡。 This will be carried by the bride's brother and must be the first to leave the bride's place, and also the first to arrive the groom's house, which means leading the way..
There must be oranges, peanut candies, and oil (everything to be in pair...)
Don't forget to prepare a brand new luggage bag, you will need to put in all the new clothes, gold, money...
This is the use of the luggage, for the main dowry--Gold and money.....
A pair of lamps....
Don't forget about the potty.... You must cover it up, and then ask a boy to pee in it.
You will need to pack a bag full of peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, walnuts, dates, etc and put inside the potty, the boy will open it up and take the packets before he pees inside...
You may also buy some decorations bride & groom sets....
Or get ready some some "double happiness" word stickers...
This is what you have on the bride's bed on your wedding day..... Now, you'll only have to wait for the groom to come and get you!!!
Summary of all of the things to be prepared by the bride as dowry:
- The main dowry bag full of new clothing, towels, money and gold.
- A pair of Gold chicken (to lead the way)
- Oranges (8 pieces or more), 2 bottles of oil, and 2 packets of peanut candies.
- 1 set of lamps
- 1 set of slippers for both groom and bride
- 1 set of bed sheets & blankets.
- Covered Potty with a packet of all the nuts.
- A pail with face towels, oil, powder or body talc, toothbrush and tooth paste.
- A basket full of sewing kits.
- Tea set for the ceremony.
- Some skin care and cosmetics set nicely wrapped.
- Many "double happiness" stickers for the house, and a big piece of red cloth for the main door.
Errmmm, the next time i need to prepare all these should be10 years later for my my youngest sister? and then 20 years later for my Autumn?? hehe.... by the time i might already forget the details so i can refer to this post! Good idea, right?
Thank you for sharing these. Very helpful
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