D
o you know that it is
inauspicious to present
a Chinese couple
with a wedding gift
wrapped in white? Or that it is
inappropriate to wear red to an Indian
wedding? Perhaps you know that it’s
inconsiderate to drag your children to
an American wedding unless they have
been invited. Or perhaps you don’t.
As a cosmopolitan metropolis,
Hong Kong provides its residents with
ample opportunities to learn about a
myriad of religious and ethnic beliefs.
Whilst we may get away with being
oblivious to cultural nuances on a
daily basis, it’s still advisable for guests
to know about the traditional do’s and
don’ts before attending the wedding of
a friend or colleague.
It would be impossible to cover
the traditions of every religion
and nationality in this article, and
often weddings are a unique fusion
of different cultures. Courtesy of
Hong Kong’s renowned wedding
professionals, here is a broad overview
of guest etiquette at traditional
Chinese, Indian and Western
weddings.
Chinese weddings
If you have married within the last
three months or have recently lost an
Follow these tips to avoid making a wedding guest
faux pas, writes
Angela Baura.
immediate family member, you may
wish to save this article for a later date,
because it would be inappropriate
for you to attend a Chinese wedding
at this time, advises Leongwoo Yan,
an international award-winning
photographer who specialises in
destination weddings in South East
Asia and Hong Kong.
But if you’re not celebrating or
commiserating, let the preparations
begin.
While Chinese weddings may
incorporate many traditions, such as
the tea ceremony where the couple
kneels and serves tea to their elders,
these events are for family members
only. Guests may be invited to attend
a civil or church ceremony and a
Chinese banquet, which includes
a nine-course meal. According to
Leongwoo, some Chinese wedding
hosts still serve shark fin soup as one
of those courses. Today, however, it’s
acceptable not to eat it if it’s served
to you. Simply leave it uneaten and it
will be collected with the empty dishes
prior to the next course being served.
When deciding what to wear
to the wedding, avoid colours that
may upset the couple and their
families. Sonya Yeung, founder
of luxury destination wedding
planning company, Bliss Creations,
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