Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony
The significance of the tea, it is a day to day traditional drink in Chinese culture. Serving is a sign of respect. A the special wedding occasion, a lotus seed and two red dates will be added to the tea. The symbolic meaning of lotus seed is that wishing the newly weds to have children early in their marriage. It's believe that the sweetness of the red dates will bring happiness to the newly weds and their family.
At a traditional Chinese Ceremony, on the wedding day morning, the bride will start the tea ceremony at her place and offer tea to her parents to thank them for raising her and sending her away. No lotus seed and red dates are added to the tea. Then the tea is offer in order from eldest to the youngest, e.g the brides' grandparents, parents , uncles and aunts then to the older brothers and sisters. Both of the bride and groom have to kneel in front of their family member.
In return the family will give the newlyweds the red envelope (Lucky money in a red envelope) or jewely for their blessing.
After the bride's side, the groom will take the bride back to his place/his parents place. The the second round tea ceremony is offered by the groom's family. The same order proceeds as at the first tea ceremony. However, lotus seeds and red dates will be added to the tea this time because now the bride belongs to her new family, it's her duty to produce child and bring good luck to the family.
