The Engagement Gifts

So many years ago the Chinese engagement were arranged by match marker and parents. Which is then arranged by the engagement gifts. However now in morden society this no longer the case and just require two loving couple to commit to each other. 

In Chinese culture there are tradition for gift giving that accompanies the engagement of the couple. 

In the past the potential groom would send three letters: a betrothal letter, a gift letter, and a wedding letter. These letters would consist of what the bride family would give to the bride to be.  

Because the traditions were ever-changing, betrothal ceremonies ranged from a formal proposal letter to a gift exchange. Here are a few of the most practiced rituals.

Here are just some examples of some gifts that are presented to the bride family. 

Engagement gift giving 

Traditionally the groom and his parent present a series of engagement gifts to the bride's family as a sign of respect. The gifts are an acknowledgment of the efforts of the bride's parents in raising an honorable daughter. The acceptance of the gifts by the bride's parents is a sign of their acceptance of the wedding proposal. The tradition of gift giving has evolved to suit modern times. Now, present are given as a token of the engagement. When giving a gift to an engaged Chinese couple, it is best to give the gift in a set of two, as it represents the power of husband and wife.

Li Shi Money

• Another name for Li Shi money is lucky money. Li Shi money should be given in an amount that contains the number 9 for good fortune. For instance, the gift may be in the amount of £9 £99 or £999.

  Tea 

  Tea is an essential engagement gift. These gifts are known as cha-li or tea presents. These can be an assortment of teas or tea cups and pots. Tea seeds are also a good choice and represent future abundance. It is important that the gift be given in a even number, such as two cans of tea or two tea cups. The number four should be avoided as it is bad luck in Chinese culture.
  
  

  Jewelry 

Jewelry is given to the bride by the groom during the engagement period. Typically the jewelry is in a design to bring good luck. Gold bangles in the shape of a dragon-phoenix are popular. 

Fruit and Seeds

• Fruit and seeds should be sent in decorative containers, ensuring that these are presented in even numbers. Some traditional fruit and seeds include lychee, chestnuts, peanuts, dragons eyes, lotus seeds, sesame red beans and dates. Fat choy must be included as it brings prosperity.

Seafood and Poultry

• Engagement gifts also include seafood and poultry. Seafood will include various types of fish as well as shrimp, clams, squid, shark fin and other delicacies. It must be presented in items of six or eight at a time as these numbers bring good luck. Poultry should be presented as two female or two male.

Dragon and Phoenix Cakes

• The tradition of bridal cakes still exists today. Dragon cake, representing the male, and phoenix cakes, representing the female, are given to the bride who then gives these gifts to family and friends.

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2014 / 2015 Latest Korean Bridal Hair and Makeup Trends- Natural Forest Princess Look

Lot of people envy about the makeup on the Korean actors, the clean, natural, elegant and prefect look.

Today Loveil Wedding would like to show you how to look like a natural princess on your big day

Natural Forest Princess Look

Makeup Main Tips:
Apply Face Primer on the face as a base. Pick the PURPLE face primer, suitable for oriental as we have yellowish skin, purple colour can help to bright up our skin. Apply Highlighter on forehead, eyes, nose and around the lip. Based on your face shape, contouring to create 3D face shape. Use  Pastel Earth tone eye shadow and nude lipstick to create natural princess look.





Hair Main Tips:

Curls at the bottom only with Fringe to create the natural and innocent look.

Products Recommendation to finish the look

- Biotherm White D- TOX CC Cream SPF30+ PA++ 30ml/ £28

- Maybelline Dream Satin Skin Liquid Foundation 30ml/ £9

- Sisley Phyto-Blush Éclat/ £51

- Giorgio Armani Eye to Kill 4 Color Eyeshadow Palette #7/ £41

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Why Traditional Chinese Wedding

Tying the knot is one of the most important thing that happens between two loving 

couple, but then having to decide what kind of wedding is another stressful moment especially if you come from a traditional background as not only do you just have to plan your perfect wedding but also you got to consider the traditional customs of the wedding. 

However now in modern times we can combine the both together and give it that twist, sound perfect?

Well not so when everyone start telling you bits and pieces of what a Chinese wedding custom and tradition should be it almost becomes impossible to know what is right. 

Maybe your mum is not convincing either, she is probably calling up all her friends and relatives to check with them on what to do. Your also probably looking back on your relatives wedding videos and memorising what had happen which all may become a blur, amusing and confusing. 

So does it mean we are starting to lose our Chinese heritage and culture? Will our future generations be able to understand, appreciate and enjoy their heritage when it comes to their wedding? 

Of course there are so many different practice within the Chinese wedding custom and understanding each one may need a little time to take in. Depending on the geographical regions from the bride and groom families, status and wealth of their families you may find there maybe difference of the practice you heard or encountered. So before deciding on decorations and planning the wedding event it maybe easier just to sit with each other families and discuss the varies difference to avoid any conflict on the day of the wedding. 

Below is just a small overview of what to expect for a traditional Chinese wedding, not to forget each region may be conducted slightly differently. 

Pre wedding event 

- Engagement or Intention to marry 

- Elaborate gift presentation - Betrothal 

- Chinese wedding date selection 

- Chinese weddingInvitation

- New bed 

- Gift presentation just before marriage 

Wedding day 

- Fetch the bride (games with the groom) 

- Tea ceremony 

- Dinner Banquet 

Although this may seem to be a huge amount of preparations but each of these events has their meaning and wishing the future bride and groom full of happiness and well being is something each of these events is providing. 

I guess the only way to preserve the Chinese wedding custom is trying to maintain what we have and understand what each customs really means, hopefully by understanding and explaining what these custom really mean will enable our future generation to engage on these customs and pass these on to next their next generation. 

Wedding Bed Installation

Wedding Bed Installation/ Setting is one of the traditional Chinese wedding customs, the couple need to buy a new bed before marriage, choose an auspicious day, and then ask the groom's elders or friends- a "lucky man" (the best "lucky man"'s parentshave to be alive,he is happy marrige and have children) This lucky man has to move the bed for the couple to the new home.
After then need a "lucky woman" (bride's friends or family elders, same as lucky man, parents have to be alive, happy marriage and have children) The lucky woman will help to put on the dragon phoenix duvet set and help to put things on the bed, like:
- Dried Red Dates, Peanut with shell, Dried Longans with shell,Lotus Seeds, Bulbus Lilii and 2 Dried persimmon
- Chain of 8 coins (Well-organized for future) x4
- Chain of Gold Peanuts (meaning of have baby very soon) x2
- Baby Dolls x2
-Wooden Rules (Fertile hills) x1
- Hexagon Classic Red Envelops Tray x1 (place the tray of auspicious items on the bed)
The lucky woman also help to turn on the bedside lamp in Chinese known as 点灯 which has similar pronunciation as 添丁.There after, no one should lie or rest on the bed except the bride and bridegroom on the big day itself.
The bride and Groom also can invite kids to jump on the bed and put the candy on the bed for the kids to eat, meaning the bride and groom will have lot of Sons and Grandsons.
Related Products to sell in UK: (Please click the picture to view more)
Wedding Bed Installation Set/Package:

Bedding Set:


Auspicious day (in yellow) for Wedding Bed Installation 2014

Refference: http://www.zdic.net/nongli/2014yiE5AE89E5BA8A.htm

What Do Rings on Each Finger Mean?

LEFT HAND
1. Mercury (The Little Finger)：Never wanna Fall in Love Again
2. Apollo (The Ring Finger)：Married
3. Saturn (The Middle Finger)：Engaged
4. Jupiter (The Index Finger)：Single and waiting for Love


RIGHT HAND
5. Mercury (The Little Finger)：Never wanna get marry
6. Apollo (The Ring Finger)：In Relatinship
7. Saturn (The Middle Finger)：In Serious Relationship
8. Jupiter (The Index Finger)：Not Married

9. Thumb：Represent power, the meaning of self-confidence


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Traditional Chinese Wedding: Betrothal Gifts 過大禮

About 1 month before the Tea Ceremony, on an auspicious day, Betrothal Gifts are traditionally delivered from the groom to the bride. Depending on how traditional your parents are, finding Betrothal Gifts is no shopping at Testco.

Betrothal gifts includes:

1. Wedding Pastries – 2 pairs of Dragon and Phoenix Wedding Cake, one for the bride, one for the groom. Add other even numbers of wedding pastries from a total of 4,6 to 8.
2. Coconuts – 2 pairs of Coconuts. (It has to do with a phonetic symbol for child bearing)
3. Tea leaves
4. 2 pairs of betel nuts 檳榔. ( Good luck finding that in United Kingdom, try asking Chinese or Southeast Asian stores)
5. 3 Animals – 2 pairs of Chicken or Geese (2 males, 2 females). Pork ( chopped open in halves but connected at the bone). A pair of fish (It must be a pair of whole, big fish. Don’t do canned Sardine and absolutely no fillets! Your Mother In Law won’t be amused)
6. 4 types of Dried Seafood - High Roller Option: Dried Abalone, Sea Cucumber, SharkFin, Fish Maw, Scallops. Ghetto Option: Dried Squid, shrimp, Shitake Mushrooms, oysters. Both options must include Fat Choy 髮菜. Yes, you gotta put the Fat Choy in the Gong Hei Fat Choi here. There is no human English translation for Fat Choy but “Nostoc flagelliforme”. No, this is not a new vampire name.
7. 4 types of nuts – Lotus Seeds, Lily Bulbs, Dates, Longans, Lychee, walnuts or peanuts. (These are pretty much all symbolic of child bearing.)
8. Gift Box – A layered gift box that is big enough to contain all of the above. Then throw in more lotus seeds, lotus roots, Kadsura Pepper Stem 青蔞 ( yup, google this), cypress (扁柏), Betel nuts, sesame seeds, red beans, green beans, a red string, betrothal jewelries, cigarette, bottles of brandy, pairs of tangerines, 2 pairs of dragon and phoenix candles, a pair of wedding couplet 喜联 and the Bride Price in red envelope.

Please view our special Betrothal Gift Set, It can SAVE your TIME and £££ MONEY ;-D

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Traditional Chinese Wedding: Tea Ceremony

Part 1: The Groom’s Procession to Obtain the Bride

You’ll need:

• Creative bridesmaid and props for Door Tests
• Door Open Red Envelope with money
• Tea Ceremony Set Up

With a bouquet, the Groom will lead the procession to the bride’s house with his groomsmen. Upon arriving at the bride’s house, the Groom’s party will face a series of “tests” from the bridesmaids before he can enter the lady’s chamber. That will typically entails some physical tests, embarrassing games, blatant declaration of love, mostly to entertain the bridal party but traditionally to demonstrate the Groom’s dedication. Of course after all that, you still SHALL NOT PASS without giving the bridesmaids an ” Door Open Red Envelope” which should contains a lucky amount of money (think permutation of 3, 6, 8, 9). With sufficient cash to bribe the lady bouncers, the bridesmaid will open up the door to the brides chamber.

Once the bridal chamber is opened, you can’t make out yet. The maid of honor will lead the bride to her father and the father of the bride will hand over the bride to the groom. This is when the Bridal Tea Ceremony begins.

The Couple will bow to heaven and then to the ancestors. Maid of honor should prepare tea for the couple as they kneel and offer tea to the bride’s parents.

Bridesmaids are supposed to return 10-50% of the Door Price to the Groomsmen and serve the guys with tea and snacks.

Part 2: The Bride’s Journey to the Groom’s House

You’ll need:

• Red parasol/umbrella (It is to protect the bride from any evil influences)
• rice, red and green beans

The ‘good luck woman’ or the maid of honor will shield the bride with a red parasol while the bridal party toss rice, red and green beans, which symbolizes fertility, to the parasol and traditionally, at the sedan chair.

At the lucky hour, the bride will be carried on the back of a good luck woman to the sedan chair. Great care was taken not to let the bride’s feet touch the floor, which is considered an unauspicious thing to do.

Modern woman should never be carried on the back of another woman 2 times her age and sedan chair are for photo-whore tourists only. In that case, just get in the car already, by yourself, with your own feet.

The procession accompanying the bride must consist of only female and the bride’s brother must not follow her to the groom’s house.

Part 3: Arriving at the Groom’s House

You’ll need:

• Tea Ceremony Set Up
• Red Envelopes
• Blings– gold jewelries
• 9 courses lunch

The couple arrive at the Groom’s House. The Groom’s parents will welcome the couple. The Groom’s Tea Ceremony begins.

The couple bow to heaven, then to ancestors. They then kneel and offer tea to the Groom’s parents. The Groom’s parents are expected to bless the couple and give them red envelops.They will then deck the bride our with blings – gold jewelries. The bride must wear them all at once to show gratitude. The couple then offer tea to other elders in the house.

The couple + wedding party is expected to have lunch with the Groom’s family. I don’t see this happening much because typically you should be out the door checking up on the venue or taking first look photos. Anyway, traditionally this lunch will consist of 9 dishes, which phonetically symbolizes Eternity.

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Essential items for Tea Ceremony: (Click the product to view deatils)

【Be a Beautiful Bride】Most of the Brides forgot...to do ;-D

1. Book the Facial Treatment EARLIER

   

Many brides because of time or budget reasons, they will choose to go to the beauty salon until a week before the wedding. However most of the cases, bride got stress before the wedding day and the skin problem become worst, then it will become very difficult to solve all the skin problem in a week. We will suggest bride should start the facial treatment 3months before your wedding. In the beginning stage, treatment can be biweekly and a month before the wedding should go to beauty salon once a week. Skin condition cannot change in a week, at least two to three months to improve the skin condition.

   

2. Body Care

 

Body care also as important as facial treatment. Brides need to have a smooth shiny skin to match with the wedding dress. Two months before the wedding should start exfoliating body to twice a week is appropriate. Every day after bathing should also put on body lotion or oil to keep the skin moisture.

3. Do not ignore foot skin

 
When groom and bride exchange rings, the bride's hand will become the focus of the audience attention, so hand care is a compulsory homework for the bride. However, foot skin care cannot be ignored, good nail repairing and cleaning dead skin can give the bride more confident, but also can help the bride to feel less tired in the long standing wedding day with the wedding shoes.

4. Wedding fragrance

 
 

Brides spend lot of time to discuss the makeup and hair with stylist, but do not forget to take the time to choose a suitable wedding fragrance. You can pick a wedding theme, such as cheerful, energy, sexy, or you can pick something similar as the flower bouquets you will hold on the wedding day.

5. Waxing

 

No brides want to destroy their image or feel embarrass on the wedding day because of the body hair. To maintains a smooth and clean skin, you can choose waxing treatment arms, legs, underarms body hair. After waxing, brides should avoid hot baths, sauna and sweating due to physical causes skin to prevent infection. Hair removal can be carried out in the week before the wedding to allow the skin to rest.

Beautiful Bride MUST NEED:

Konjac Fiber Face Washing Puff

Natural Beauty Massage Stone (Lift Up Face)

DIY Facial Mask Kit

Double eye lid tape

 

Traditional Chinese Wedding (Firecrackers, Wedding foods and Joining of Hair)

5. Noisy Procession to Fetch the Bride


Chinese people like the festival firecrackers to increase the festive atmosphere. At major festivals such as the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, will set off firecrackers and fireworks, people used to express joy, but also because of Chinese people believe that firecrackers can use to frighten and ward off evil spirits. After the evil had been purged people were able to express their happiness.

Firecrackers are often found in Chinese weddings. The more powerful and loud the explosion, the more good luck is brought to the bridal couple.

Gongs, drums and plenty of noise marks the start of the wedding procession from the groom’s home to the bride’s home, frightening away any evil spirits that may interfere with the couple.
After collecting the bride, the procession snakes its way back to the groom’s house, symbolizing the transition from her own family to her husband’s.

However, due to the firecrackers will generate a lot of negative consequences (such as environmental pollution and wounded people, etc.), some local Chinese people have been banned firecrackers, so in the modern wedding, some people invented a new way to celebrate, which is step on the balloon to instead of firecrackers, this also helps to add a lot to the festive atmosphere to the wedding.

6. Traditional Wedding Foods

Red beans
  Red dates

Dried longans
, Peanuts
   lotus seeds.


Specially selected foods as tokens of traditional Chinese marriage include red beans, red dates, dried longans, peanuts, and lotus seeds.

Red beans are used to make bean paste as a sweet desert, representing  wishes for a happy life for the couple.

Red dates, dried longans, peanuts, and lotus seeds all  symbolize long life, fertility, harmonious marriage, and auspicious prosperity.

The words “seed” and “son,” and “date” and “early” are homophones-they are pronounced the same way but differ in meaning and spelling.

Following the ancient traditions, red dates, dried longans, peanuts, lotus seeds together with fruits like oranges and pomegranates are placed or scattered on the bridal bed, the more, the merrier, with wishes for the conception of a healthy baby.
 
7. Joining of Hair

In traditional Chinese culture, hair is often taken as pledge of love or token of marriage, as one’s hair represents oneself.

The bride and groom each cut off a piece of their own hair, which is then tied together and put into a bag for the bride to keep.

This token of marriage signifies the two people tying their knot, becoming inseparable, and spending the rest of their lives together.