A traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony is a significant and highly treasured event in modern Chinese weddings. Even though many of our modern brides decide to travel to Maui to have their dream destination wedding, incorporating a Tea Ceremony is something that they can’t imagine leaving out. It was very important for Annette and Jeff to celebrate and include this sacred custom in their Maui wedding and we were so happy that they did! Their Tea Ceremony took place at the Grand Wailea on the morning of their wedding with all of their guests in attendance. The bride looked absolutely stunning in her red lace gown, the bride wearing red is a symbol of good luck.
So what exactly is a Chinese Tea Ceremony? It is a significant way for the bride and groom to show respect and gratitude to their parents for all of the years of love and care. First, the couple will serve tea to the bride’s parents, followed by the bride’s other family and relatives. After this, they proceed to do the same with the groom’s parents and relatives. The bride and groom kneel in front of their parents and serve cups of tea, making sure that the parents don’t have to move or stand up in order to receive it. After the drinking of the tea, gifts for the bride and groom are presented in the form of red envelopes with money inside, called lai see or hong bao; the family will then express blessings for the newlyweds as they start their marriage as husband and wife. The tea ceremony is completed when the relatives of both families are served.
We absolutely love this tradition and are always honored to be able to witness such a meaningful moment between our couples and their parents. Chris J Evans was there to capture all of the special moments of the day, as he also did for their Wedding Welcome Party the night before and their Wedding later the same day. This multi-day celebration was so much fun to be a part of and we at Makena Weddings were so honored to be chosen as their Maui Wedding Planner!
Planning: Makena Weddings
Photography: Chris J Evans Photography
Venue: Grand Wailea Resort
