Arrival at The Groom’s Home

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When the bride arrives at the groom’s home for the first time on the wedding day, her entry is known as 过门 (guò mén). It is customary for the groom’s family to hide from the couple to avoid seeing them as they step into the house. They can only reappear after the couple has entered their bridal room 婚房 (hūn fáng) - read more here. This unique tradition is believed to prevent future disputes between the bride and her new family members.

Upon entering the house, the couple must pray to heaven, earth, and their ancestors. After completing the ritual, they will proceed directly to the bridal room, where they will be served a sweet soup made of longans, red dates, lotus seeds, a hard-boiled egg, and/or glutinous rice balls 汤圆 tāng yuán by the groom's family; symbolizing a blissful and harmonious marriage.

Afterward, the couple may proceed with the tea ceremony 敬茶 (jìng chá) - read more here to serve tea to the groom’s family members. Once the tea ceremony is over, children will be invited to jump and roll on the couple’s bed in a ritual known as 压床 (yā chuáng) - read more here, meant to bless the couple with an abundance of offsprings.

After the rituals are done, the couple and their bridal entourage will prepare to make their way back to the bride’s home, the bride will typically change into a traditional Chinese wedding dress known as Qun Kua 裙褂 (qún guà) or a modern cheongsam.

Continue reading: 三朝回门.