Chinese Tea Ceremony Traditions Explained

Chinese wedding tea set with red envelopes and teacups

As alternative as some might be, weddings are traditions and with traditions, the celebration of them is a little different depending on your cultural background. One such unique tradition is the Chinese tea ceremony. To get the scoop on this classic red filled event we hand over the reins to photographer William Trang. You can see all of his beautiful photos from this shoot in the full gallery.

From William Trang Photography

I really hope this article can help Asian brides plan their wedding tea ceremony. As a wedding photographer, I get so many questions about tea ceremony traditions, so I created this shoot specifically to shine some light on this. The team behind the shoot is Asian American, and we each drew from our own experiences.

Chinese tea ceremony invitation with wedding ring and accessories

The Ceremony

The tea ceremony is a beautiful Chinese wedding tradition that symbolizes the welcoming of brides and grooms into their new families. As part of the ceremony, the bride and groom pay their respects and show their gratitude towards their parents, new in-laws, and elders by serving them tea. In turn, their families will give their blessings to the newlyweds by gifting them “hong baos” (red envelopes with money).

Chinese wedding ceremony with tea and red envelope

Red Chinese umbrella and cushions with vase and branches Woman holding open greeting card with a peacock design Red wedding favor boxes with gold coins for good fortune Elegant Chinese wedding setting with tea, red decor and envelope

Red envelopes for Chinese New Year and wedding celebrations

The Style

Rich with red and gold details and beautiful Chinese bridal dresses or wedding cheongsams, tea ceremonies are a photographer’s dream. East Meets Dress teamed up with William Trang Photography to highlight the different styles of modern wedding cheongsams found at a Chinese tea ceremony.

Brides looking to celebrate this tradition often choose to wear a cheongsam dress, one of the most iconic pieces of Chinese fashion. The various dresses come from East Meets Dress, which offers a variety of cheongsam styles, from traditional sheaths to mermaid dresses.

Brides express themselves through their own style choices so each moment of their big day is unique and memorable. Special moments like the Chinese tea ceremony are no exception, and we hope this inspirational shoot celebrates this tradition and helps interested couples prepare for their own.

Elegant woman in red dress holds parasol with a smile

Asian woman in red dress holding parasol, looking serene Elegant woman in red dress holding branches, side profile

Joyful woman in red dress surrounded by falling rose petals

Woman with elegant updo hairstyle adorned with red floral hairpins Woman in red dress holds a cup with herbs in a bright scene Red teapot and wedding envelopes with tea and food Asian woman in red dress with closed eyes and decorated top