[porkscratchings]

Anyone explain to me what goes on from day1 on a traditional chinese wedding? Like, you know when the best man and the groom goes to the brides house and need to bargain with the braidsmaid etc.....Basically wanna know what the bestman/groom is expecting.

[reei]

the groom and his male attendants 'heng tai' will go to the bride's house to pick her up. the bride and her female attendants, 'zi mui' will get ready early in the morning. the 'zi mui' will prepare a few games to have fune when the guys come. normally, ask the groom to 'declare ' his love for her... do some difficult stuffs.. like eating 'wasabi' if he fail to answer certaing questions, or do certain things.. after that, the groom will give red packet to the ''zi ui'.. as 'door opening' red packet. then the bride and groom will knelel down and serve tea to the bride's parents. the bride's parents will give her jewelleries, normally, gold dragon and phoenix bangles.. etc.. then go to the grooms' house to serve tea to his parents.. then to marriage registry, then towedding banquet at night. normally, chinese will choose an auspicious date to get married. and set an auspicious time to serve tea to bride 's parents, leave bride's home and et cetera. in the groom's house, it is also common to pray to the ancestors first, to God.. then only to his parents.

[porkscratchings]

Thanks for the info. Sounds fun....how much (average) does the red package contain, or does that depend on the female attendants.

[travelem]

The red package will contain money, usually with number 9 in it because 9 means forever. For example, it could be HK$3999, HK$9999 or HK$99999 depending on the budget of the groom.

[porkscratchings]

I thought 9 means "dog"

[kostas]

..you have a long way ahead..

[travelem]

Yes, 9 also sounds like "dog".

[travelem]

The dollar amount is also depending on the numbers of the female attendants 'zi mui' which includes both sisters and good frends of the bride. The money is used to thank them for preparing or helping the bride for wedding.

[reei]

regardless of the number of female attendants helping out.. HKD999 is fine. they are not in for the money, just in to helping the bride and the groom out.. so it doesn't matter.. 9 is just for auspicious sake... so HKD999 is fine.
give separate red packet for the male attendants, usually is hkd100 and more if they are driving. you have to 'compensate' for their petrol and use of their car,, usually, give 2 to male attendants if they are driving.