With 30% of the San Francisco population being of Asian descent, a large part of which is of Chinese origin, weddings inspired to traditional ways carried over for centuries are likely to be rather popular with native as well as mixed brides and grooms.
To the average westerner, the traditional Chinese wedding reception is an event that will not fail to surprise and intrigue due to its many rules and rituals.
Gifts
Gifts and gifts certificates are best to be avoided. Cash or a check is the most common gift. Gold jewelry is also a popular gift from older relatives. Checks or cash are usually enclosed in a red envelope with the giver’s name on it and should be given when signing in at the restaurant. The amount of money given must be chosen carefully so as to avoid unlucky numbers, such as 4, and rather choose lucky numbers like 8 or 9. White envelopes are to be avoided as the color white symbolizes death
Schedule
The Greeting is the time for the groom and the bride to greet the relatives and guests. Followed by the Entertainment time, which typically lasts for two hours before the banquet. During the Entertainment time, the restaurant will usually provide poker and mahjong for gambling, although gambling during such time is becoming less popular in receptions held in the US, replaced by more common cocktail parties.
Signing In
Two relatives from each family will sit at the sign-in table to register guests and receive red envelopes and other gifts. Usually they would have two separate lists, one for each family.
The best man and the maid of honor will direct the guests to their seats.
Banquet
A speech from the parents will open the banquet, to which speeches from the best man, the maid of honor and the guest speaker will follow.
After cutting the cake and the toasts, games designed by the DJ will involve the guests, as well as dances.
Two tables at the center of the room are reserved for the bride and the groom’s families.
Food
The reception is divided into 9 or ten courses. Shark fin, Abalone, Lobster, Jumbo Shrimp, Squab, Sea Bass or Sea cucumber are among the expensive and delicacies making up the banquet menu.
Fish heads, chicken heads and pig’s heads are usually left intact, as a whole fish, chicken or pig symbolizes completeness in Chinese Wedding Culture.
It is customary for the bride and the groom, at the end of the reception to approach each table and give a toast to the guests.
Guests are welcome to take the leftovers home as a sign of appreciation for the groom and bride’s choice of food.
About twenty minutes after the last dish is served, the bride and groom will line up at the exit to bid the guests farewell and thank them for coming.
It is considered impolite to leave before the last dish is served.
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