Traditionally, the couple serves tea to the groom's family only after the marriage, serving as the bride's symbolic introduction to the groom's family while the bride serves tea to her parents before the ceremony as a thank you for taking care of her for so many years. Jas and I aren't all that traditional so we opted to have our tea ceremonies together before our solemnisation. Despite the very packed day we had, we insisted on having a tea ceremony because we thought it was vital we thanked our parents for everything they've done for us.
The family members sit in chairs, while the newlyweds kneel before them and serve the tea. It is served in a special order, starting with the groom’s parents, then proceeding from the oldest family members to the youngest, including the paternal grandparents, maternal grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, and so on. In return, the newlyweds receive lucky red envelopes ("ang baos") stuffed with money or jewellery.
My Chinese isn't so good so Jason had to translate a lot of it.
He didn't know he still had stickers from the gate crash on his shoes!
And then younger siblings have to serve tea to the couple! Clearly, I'm super happy that my brother has to kneel before me!
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