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As you may have guessed, Chinese weddings are loaded with ritual. In the 5th to 3rd centuries B.C., guides such as The Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial laid out the rites that were considered to be an essential part of any wedding. There were a number of rituals to follow, from the marriage proposal to the preparation of the bridal bed. On the wedding day itself, the bride underwent a special hairdressing ritual, bathing herself in scented water to get rid of any evil spirits. Three days after the ceremony, she returned home for a final visit with her family before beginning her married life. She brought several gifts, including a roasted pig, and often stayed for several days.

Today, you can still find evidence of ancient traditions in contemporary Chinese weddings. There is an explosion of red - the symbol of good fortune - from the decorations to the bride's wedding dress. Wedding guests strive to include a touch of red in their accessories. By contrast, white is seldom worn at weddings, although this is changing. At the reception, you will probably notice a double happiness symbol behind the head table where the bridal couple sits. This is a special Chinese character wishing the newlyweds much happiness.

"To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content." (Confucius)

The Chinese wedding feast is loaded with foods symbolizing long life and prosperity. It is customary to serve eight courses, since eight is thought to be a lucky number. Appetizers will feature cold plates shaped like the dragon and the phoenix. In Chinese culture, the dragon and the phoenix symbolize the yin (the feminine side of our nature) and the yang (the masculine side of our nature) respectively. They are also associated with goodness and prosperity.

The main courses commonly feature fowl that mate for life such as duck or geese. Peking Duck is often served, since this is a red dish. Chicken and duck will also be found on the banquet table - the two fowls represent a balance between the man and the woman in their new relationship. Sea cucumber may accompany vegetable dishes, since it is thought to symbolize harmony and a lack of conflict between the newly married couple.

When it comes to refreshments, 7 UP is the soft drink of choice at Chinese weddings. In Chinese the word "up" sounds like "happiness" so 7 UP is considered to be a very lucky drink! Tea and alcohol are also served.

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