Chinese pre-wedding customs
During the wedding rituals, Cantonese brides invariably don a qungua , a highly embroidered red silk dress, which consists of a petticoat, adorned with the images of a 龍 (lùhng) (dragon) and a 鳳 (fuhng) (phoenix), and a long skirt.
In addition, the groom is expected to give a pair of matching 龍鳳鈪 (lùhng fuhng ngáak) (dragon and phoenix bracelets), which are most commonly made of gold, to the bride, and are to be worn during the wedding festivities.
On the third day following the wedding, the newlywed bride's first return visit to her family home after marriage is called 歸寧 [gwài nìhng].
[14] On the day of the wedding, the bride's mother is presented with an uncooked pork leg, to show gratitude for her caretaking.
[11] The Hokkien traditionally incorporate sugarcane as a motif during wedding celebrations for protection; it is tied to the doorpost of the couple's home and to the bridal carriage.
[15] This practice stems from a traditional legend in which Hokkiens were spared from a massacre by a Song dynasty emperor by hiding in sugarcane fields.
[15] Sugarcane also features a prominent role during the ninth day of Chinese New Year celebrations (marking the Jade Emperor's birthday).
The foremost Teochew betrothal gift is the sì diǎnjīn (四點金), four pieces of jewelry including a gold necklace, a pendant, a pair of earrings and a bangle selected by a groom's mother and presented to the bride during the tea ceremony.
Chinese dowries typically include: Another ritual is the installation of the bridal bed (安床, ān chuáng).
After showering with water infused with pomelo or pomegranate leaves, the bride and groom change into a new set of clothing and shoes.
Decorations with the double happiness symbol will be placed on all wedding items such as the betrothal gifts, dowry, the couple's toiletries and cosmetics.
The bridal room furniture, especially the mirror and cupboards, will also be decorated with double joy or other wedding paper cutouts such as pairs of mandarin ducks, dragon and phoenix, etc.
