wedding dress

Chinese Wedding Dress etiquetteIn Chinese culture, marriage is a very important and significant life event for both the bride and the groom, as well as their families. There are many customs involved in a traditional Chinese wedding and specific etiquette regarding the attire worn. Colors are significant, especially the lucky color red. Modern Chinese brides often choose to incorporate some or all of these traditions, including attire, to honor their culture and highlight the importance of the wedding for bringing two families togetherBride: Wedding CeremonyChinese brides traditionally have three different dresses for their wedding. A white, western-style dress and a veil are worn for the ceremony. Before she is dressed, she will have a bath in pomelo-infused water, which is believed to cleanse her of bad influences.Bride: Wedding ReceptionChinese brides wear a traditional dress for the tea ceremony and wedding banquet, and the style varies depending on what part of China her family is from. Northern brides wear long, one-piece gowns, which are known as cheongsam. Southern Chinese brides wear a two-piece hung kwa, consisting of a jacket and long skirt. These dresses are typically red, which is a symbol of both love and prosperity. The dress is never black, blue or gray, which could be bad luck for the couple.Traditional dresses have detailed embroidery in gold and silver thread and may include a phoenix, which is symbolic for the female half of the male/female power balance. If the bride's family is very wealthy, she may have even more dresses to change into throughout the banquet. The bride may also wear an elaborate headdress to match her gown.Bride: Going Away DressThe bride wears a third dress for leaving the wedding reception. This is usually a cocktail dress, which is called a song ke, which means "see the guests off."GroomChinese grooms wear the traditional costume of a long black silk coat over a dark blue robe (or just the robe) and a black cap with red tassels. The robe usually includes a dragon, which is symbolic for the male half of the male/female power balance. The groom's parents traditionally dress him at the start of the day. For the reception, the groom changes into a tuxedo or dark suit. The groom should always wear traditional garb when the bride does.Bridal PartyThe modern bride may choose to have her bridesmaids wear either cocktail dresses or longer gowns, or the traditional Chinese cheongsams. The groomsmen wear tuxedos or dark suits for the ceremony and reception, though they may wear traditional robes in colors such as gold or light blue for the tea ceremony.Traditional Dress at Chinese WeddingWeddings from most cultures are rich in tradition and Chinese weddings are no exception. Though many modern Chinese couples have adopted more Western traditions and only incorporate certain aspects of a traditional Chinese wedding into their nuptials, there are still those that wish to dress in traditional Chinese bridal fashion.ColorsOne area in which Chinese weddings really stand apart from Western weddings is the color of the dress. In a typical western wedding, the bride dons a dress of white to symbolize her purity. In Chinese culture, it is customary for the bride to wear a dress that is a vibrant red and that is embroidered with silver and gold thread. The Chinese Historical and Cultural Project notes that red is thought to bring good luck, so cloaking a bride in vestments of red is considered lucky. Additionally, the bride's face is hidden behind a veil of red.The groom also wears red in his costume. China Bridal details traditional groomswear as consisting of a long, dark blue gown, with dragons embroidered on it, black silk coat, red shoes and red sash with a ball on the shoulder. Additionally, the groom wears a hat with red tassels.MeaningMore than just being colorful and embroidered, there is meaning to a traditional Chinese wedding dress. The embroidery on the bride's dress is very specific. It is the dragon and phoenix which is symbolic of man and woman. According to China Bridal, having a gown embroidered with these two symbols, symbolizes the balance of power between masculine and feminine, which is how a marriage is meant to be.The ball on the groom's shoulder is removed prior to the wedding ceremony, by his parents, as he kneels at the family altar. This symbolizes his entry into his adult life according to Jim Down, a writer who covers Chinese cultural traditions.TypesNot surprisingly, there are different styles of wedding dress that are popular in different areas of China. According to China Bridal, in Northern China, brides typically wear a one piece wedding gown, known as a Qi Pao or Cheongsam, depending upon the dialect. Though historically, a Qi Pao is referred to a woman's gown and a Cheongsam is referred to a man's dress, the two terms are now used almost interchangeably. In Southern China, the dress is more often a two-piece outfit.For men, there is very little variation, though in more modern times, many grooms have eschewed the overcoat, opting instead for a single gown of blue.AccessoriesNot unlike many other culture's wedding attire, traditional wedding attire goes beyond just the dress. Chinese brides traditionally wear a phoenix headpiece with either a red veil or a curtain of red beads hanging in front of their faces. As per research from the ChineseHistorical and Cultural Project, this practice stems from the old custom of Chinese couples not seeing one another's faces until the actual wedding.Both the bride and the groom wear red shoes, which are again meant to impart good luck to the young couple.The groom wears a black cap with red tassels, which plays a pivotal role in the wedding ceremony, as the groom is "capped" at his family's altar prior to the actual wedding ceremony.Modern TwistsIn more recent times, it is fairly common for a Chinese bride to have as many as three different dresses. She may have her red Qi Pao, for the Chinese wedding ceremony, a typical white Western wedding dress for the civil ceremony and a more casual red dress for the reception.Chinese Wedding DressDress and ColourAs we mentioned, red is favorite for all Chinese people for red is considered as good luck that can keep evil spirits away. So you will find the bride and groom wear in red in their wedding part. The traditional Chinese wedding dress in northern Chinese usually is one piece frock named Qipao, embroidered with elaborate gold and silver design. Brides in Southern China prefer to wear two-piece dress name Qungua or Kwa, which also elaborately adorn with gold dragon and phoenix.Covering VeilDuring the traditional Chinese wedding ceremony, the bride is handed by her groom. Her head is covered by a red veil which is falling down to her shoulder for whole period. The veil is not taken off until all the relatives and friends have left. The groom needs to put the veil off by himself only. Imagine the special and sweet moment when groom takes the veil off and see a blush and exciting face with the timid candlelight while they sit on the edge of new bed. The bride covering veil is connected with the special occasion the lovers are eager for their life.ShoesDuring the wedding ceremony, the bride usually wears a special pair of wedding shoes. Forexample, in Southern Fujian Province, the bride has to wear a pair of shoes embroidered with patterns of a turtle or a deer, which symbolizes blessing, happiness and longevity after marriage.In southern Zhejiang Province, the bride has to wear a pair of shoes named Shang Jiao Xie (shoes worn while stepping into the sedan chair) before getting into the sedan is for the sake of praying for auspiciousness.Either the bride or others can make the wedding shoes. These kinds of shoes are made with red and green cloth and usually with a soft sole. When a bride is going to step into the sedan chair, she is supposed to wear these shoes. In some places, relatives who are thought to have good fortune make such shoes, while in other areas, they are made by the bride and another single girl in the morning of the wedding day.A contemporary Western wedding dress follows popular fashions in Western wedding gown selection from the year 2000 on. Dresses are usually white or ivory, and follow a pattern for popular silhouettes, necklines, and gown lengths.[citation needed] Modern bridal fashion is also characterized by specific styles of headpieces, lingerie, veils, and high heels.。