Chinese Wedding Wedding Checklist

Prepare Betrothal Gifts (Guo Da Li)

Traditional gifts from groom's family to bride's family, which may include cakes, tea, wine, jewelry, and money. The specific items and amounts vary by dialect group and family tradition — Cantonese, Hokkien, and Teochew customs differ significantly.

Book Tea Ceremony Location

Reserve space at both families' homes or a suitable venue for tea ceremonies.

Order Traditional Tea Sets

Purchase red tea sets with double happiness symbols for the ceremonies.

Book Wedding Banquet Venue

Reserve restaurant for 8-12 course traditional banquet. Book early — popular Chinese restaurants fill up quickly for auspicious dates.

Select Banquet Menu

Choose dishes including symbolic items like whole fish, lobster and chicken (dragon and phoenix), and lotus seed dessert soup.

Order Wedding Qipao / Qun Kwa

Order or rent traditional red wedding dress for tea ceremonies. The Qun Kwa is the traditional Cantonese bridal gown with gold embroidery; the qipao/cheongsam is more commonly worn outside Cantonese communities.

Plan Door Games

Bridesmaids prepare challenges and games for the groom.

Prepare Red Envelopes

Get various sizes of red envelopes and withdraw new, crisp bills for gifts and door games.

Purchase New Red Bedding

New red sheets, pillowcases, and duvet cover with double happiness motif.

Get Fertility Items

Dates, peanuts, lotus seeds, and longans — together they form a phrase that sounds like "may you have a precious child soon" in Chinese.

Invite Good Luck Woman

Ask a happily married woman with living children to set up the bed.

Get Pomelo Leaves

For cleansing the room before the ceremony (a Cantonese tradition — customs vary by community).

Confirm Hair and Makeup Artist

Ensure makeup artist knows the schedule and is experienced with Chinese bridal styles.

Decorate Wedding Cars

Add flowers, ribbons, and double happiness symbols to the car convoy.

Set Up Tea Ceremony Area

Prepare red kneeling cushions, tea set, and seating for elders in order of seniority.

Prepare Door Game Supplies

Ensure bridesmaids have all game materials and red envelopes for the groom's challenge.