Examples of Door Games at a Chinese Wedding
Chinese weddings (both in the west and in Asia) can range from outright modern-traditional (no one does traditional-traditional anymore. In fact, I don't think anyone has since the 1960s. It's just not politically correct in this day and age) to ones with very little cultural traditions. Usually, weddings which fall into the latter category are intercultural weddings. Some traditions can be very over the top, in my opinion. I mean, who really needs to have three or four dresses? Two (one white, western gown and one red, Chinese kwa) dresses are plenty. Besides, when you're paying four figures for a dress (as most wedding gowns are), don't you want to wear it longer? Door games can be a little crazy, too. Originally meant to quiz the groom on what he knows about the bride (meaning whether he truly cared for her or not), they have, for many, gone way, way OTT. I've seen some which would likely earn a PG-13/14A rating (or higher!!!) if it were a movie. It may be fun to make the boys perform unusual tasks, especially if it involves push ups, donning wigs or eating/drinking very spicey foods, but what if it's on the verge of embarassing? You're most likely being video taped, so what if it somehow ends up on YouTube? Reception are crazy, too. Seriously, folks, brides and grooms aren't 20 year old university students. Those games should have been left behind when one graduated.
Tea Ceremony
Two traditions I *DO* like, both which will be in my wedding, are the tea ceremony and table toasting. They are lovely traditions that are both very civilized. Though the origin of the ceremony is sad - in the old days, a girl officially leaves her family when she marries - it's a way to honour parents and other family members for raising you as well as bring together both families. Table toasting, where the bride, groom and sometimes, their parents and/or elder relatives go from table to table to toast guests and be toasted, is another tradition I am a fan of.
I know this post makes me sound stiff, but I like weddings to feel elegant, from start to finish. Some of the traditions, unfortunately, just aren't the case to me. Or at least, not the case anymore. I realize that some might see door games, for example, as a way to loosen up, but really, what would you do if it goes viral on YouTube? I honestly don't want to be the next crazy reality star. If I want to be on television, I want to get in the proper way.
