Comments on: Four Differences Between Chinese and American Weddings https://www.chineseamericanfamily.com/four-differences-between-chinese-and-american-weddings/ Thu, 07 May 2020 03:42:28 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 By: Wes Radez https://www.chineseamericanfamily.com/four-differences-between-chinese-and-american-weddings/#comment-4288 Sat, 13 Apr 2019 21:34:15 +0000 http://www.chineseholidays101.com/?p=1979#comment-4288 In reply to Linda Gordon.

Hi Linda, I’m not aware of any Chinese foods that cause illness. That said, if you have family members with food allergies or dietary restrictions, those are reasonable to raise to any wedding planner or restaurant, Chinese or otherwise. If, on the other hand, it’s simply a matter of preference, then I’d suggest focusing on helping the bride and groom enjoy their special day by politely accepting whatever they serve. ~Wes

]]> By: Linda Gordon https://www.chineseamericanfamily.com/four-differences-between-chinese-and-american-weddings/#comment-4273 Sat, 13 Apr 2019 00:18:32 +0000 http://www.chineseholidays101.com/?p=1979#comment-4273 My daughter is a Scott / Irish / English Canadian marrying into a Chinese family. Her husband to be is Canadian Chinese. She is having a hard time with the meal because there would only be maybe 30 of us and the rest his family. I understand the meal, but we have family members who have health problems which would not allow them to eat the Chinese food without being very ill. How does she put this meal together to make everyone happy on his side and her side without people being sick?

]]> By: Wes Radez https://www.chineseamericanfamily.com/four-differences-between-chinese-and-american-weddings/#comment-3792 Wed, 06 Feb 2019 14:57:31 +0000 http://www.chineseholidays101.com/?p=1979#comment-3792 In reply to Katlin.

Hi Kaitlin, it’s a nice gift with positive symbolism. Though bonsai is a Japanese word, this type of tree-growing is actually Chinese (look up Penjing trees). They last a long time, implying longevity for the marriage. ~Wes

]]> By: Katlin https://www.chineseamericanfamily.com/four-differences-between-chinese-and-american-weddings/#comment-3788 Wed, 06 Feb 2019 07:42:50 +0000 http://www.chineseholidays101.com/?p=1979#comment-3788 Hello Wes,
Would it be considered OK to give a gift of a bonsai plant to my Chinese friend who has just been married?
Kind Regards,
Katlin

]]> By: Wes Radez https://www.chineseamericanfamily.com/four-differences-between-chinese-and-american-weddings/#comment-2183 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 17:37:19 +0000 http://www.chineseholidays101.com/?p=1979#comment-2183 In reply to Jane.

What a wonderful question, Jane! Past general cultural suggestions (say, planning a Chinese menu for your rehearsal dinner) or symbolism (say, using a double happiness character in your decorations), I’d recommend engaging your fiance’s mother to inquire whether there are any specific family traditions you can incorporate. Also, feel free to email the article’s author (lingmeiwong@gmail.com) with any questions. ~Wes

]]> By: Jane https://www.chineseamericanfamily.com/four-differences-between-chinese-and-american-weddings/#comment-2097 Wed, 11 Jul 2018 01:32:22 +0000 http://www.chineseholidays101.com/?p=1979#comment-2097 I’m born and raised in the US, but my fiancee is Chinese and lived in China until age 10. Only his mom and one of his cousins live in the US; the entire rest of his family is in China. (Eventually, they will throw us a wedding reception there.) We share our Christian faith and are getting married this September in my family’s church outside of Washington DC.
What small symbols can I include or gestures can I make at our wedding to honor his Chinese heritage, and to make his mom and cousin feel welcome and included into our family?
Thank you for your ideas!

]]> By: Wes Radez https://www.chineseamericanfamily.com/four-differences-between-chinese-and-american-weddings/#comment-1620 Wed, 06 Dec 2017 23:01:30 +0000 http://www.chineseholidays101.com/?p=1979#comment-1620 In reply to Dena.

Hey Dena, your story made me smile, though I can understand how it took time for that memory to mature from frustration to laughter. Fun to hear how you combined Asian and American on your own wedding day — I love hearing those stories from friends, I hope you’ll share more! ~Wes

]]> By: Dena https://www.chineseamericanfamily.com/four-differences-between-chinese-and-american-weddings/#comment-1618 Wed, 06 Dec 2017 19:40:16 +0000 http://www.chineseholidays101.com/?p=1979#comment-1618 Hi! I have a story to tell regarding this:
“For traditional Chinese families, a fortune teller may be consulted to find lucky wedding dates on the lunar calendar, which may fall on weekdays instead of weekends.”

My cousin was getting married while I was in high school. The wedding was on a Wednesday. When I brought in a note to the Attendance office to excuse me for the day, they said my note is fake because “Who would have a wedding on Wednesday?!” LOL! I laugh now but back then, it was frustrating. They had to call home to get someone to actually come in to back up the wedding note. My other cousin came to pick me up but wow, that was an eye-opener because I rarely have brush with my school’s admin office.

Also, one note worthy thing to add to the list is the tradition of having a Tea Ceremony. It was a must-have tradition so we crammed it all into one day: Tea Ceremony at both homes, Traditional “I do” ceremony, banquet in a hotel (not restaurant which was the Asian-American cultural mix), dancing. Yes, dancing! 🙂

]]>