Canadian Chinese Weddings

For those who are Canadian-born of Asian decent, there are many more details to consider when planning and coordinating a wedding. More and more couples are looking to wedding planners to not only help them on their special day but to make sure that both the bride and groom's cultures and customs are infused into the ceremony and reception. As with any newly engaged couple planning a wedding, specific details that will personalize their wedding in reflection of their heritage or personality are important - it represents who they are and where they came from.

There are certain Chinese-inspired ceremony details to include or consider when planning a wedding:

• Picking the right date - the date should be selected from the Chinese calendar and its sometimes done by consulting a fortune-teller or feng shui expert. The best suited date is selected for the couple based on their birthdates and Chinese zodiac signs. It's considered good luck to marry on an even day and month of the year.
• Choosing the right colour scheme - the colours chosen are important as red symbolizes happiness and gold is the colour of wealth. Colours to avoid are black and white which is often related to mourning or death in the family.
• Languages - incorporating both english and chinese in invitations, programs, speeches, and thank you cards will include guests that do not speak either language.
• Symbols - use the symbol of a dragon or phoenix on programs, use red paper and have a gold "double happiness" symbol printed on invitiations or programs.
• Tea Ceremony - this is the quintessential Chinese wedding tradition in which the couple would serve tea to both set of parents and family and friends join in games and offer red lucky envelopes or jewellery to wish the couple a happy life together.
• Decor and music - choose flowers that match the colour scheme such as peonies, orchids, or lotus blossoms. As for music, incoporating some chinese music into the night will keep guests in your celebration.
• Praying to the Gods - some more traditional couples, paying homage to their ancestors and family members who have passed are important. This would include setting up an altar at home, burning incense, and providing offerings by burning paper food and money. These offerings with prayers are to offer respect and to ask ancestors and deceased famly to watch over and protect the happy couple.

Many couples have found wedding planners help them not only focus but help them bring out the culture and customs into their special day of marriage. As with most couples, wanting a wedding that reflects them personally - where they were born, how they were raised, and why they fell in love - and ties both bride and groom's family together are a priority...what better way than to intertwine both Asian and traditional North American wedding themes for guests to learn and enjoy.