- A Taiwanese wedding ceremony may or may not include the actual traditional Chinese wedding. Normally in Taiwan the wedding event began with the bride and groom arriving at the restaurant and/or party hall already as husband and wife. (Aside…has anybody ever wondered why we say bride before groom, but husband before wife? Hmm, something to ponder.)
- Anyhow, a Chinese wedding reception involves three hours (some time four hours!) of eating, in which approximately twelve courses (mostly non-vegetarian) are brought in large serving dishes and placed on a Lazy Suzan in the middle of the table. The goal is to eat some of everything but not to fill up on any one thing because you’ve got to last all the way to the end. Each dish is special…some because they are symbolic, some because they are expensive, and some because they are just plain delicious. In party, broiled fish (served with head and tail – also to symbolize a complete life) will be served.
- In the wedding party the bride changes dresses three times! (At least) Can you imagine? This is a Taiwanese tradition. Luckily, most of them rent their wedding dresses instead of buying them. The only real ceremony at the wedding was during the party when the couples (with parents) walked around to each table and made a toast. They started out with rice wine, but by the fifth or sixth table switched to juice.
- Then, when everybody was done eating, the bride and groom stood by the door and offered each guest a piece of candy on their way out. The giving of candy symbolizes the guests sharing in the happiness of the marriage. And that was that. Short and sweet. It was over in three hours or less. No dancing, no bouquet toss, no elegantly decorated cake that nobody wants to eat.
- In addition, I like to mention about a Taiwanese wedding is in the giving of gifts. They don’t do it. Instead of giving gifts, they give red envelopes. What’s so special about red envelopes, you ask? Well, it is common knowledge in Taiwan that one plate at a wedding costs 1,200NTDt (approx $40) per person and so, as your gift, you slip 1,200 NTD (From 600 NTD onwards) into a red envelope (red is the color of good luck) and give the cost of your food back to your host. Very cut and dry. (Note: red envelopes are also given at birthdays, baby showers, and other “giving” holidays, such as Chinese New Year, and there is a very specific amount of money for each occasion. sometimes referred to as 'red bomb')
It was certainly a different experience!
