Marriages call for celebrations all over the world and as an expert in the art of photography. As a wedding photographer in Melbourne , it is an honour for me to present in this blog today, the multi-dimensional aspect of Chinese weddings. The coming together of two individuals from different backgrounds for a lifetime is an occasion of happiness, and in China, specifically, families and the entire community get involved during such events. Chinese weddings mostly evolve around traditions, even though in modern times, certain noticeable changes are being inculcated in the ceremonies due to a growing generation gap.
Australia is one of the best countries for these once-in-a-lifetime events. The country is blessed with an abundance of natural landscapes that are breathtakingly gorgeous. It also has the right balance between sandy beaches, rugged outbacks, and urbanized cities flaunting contemporary wedding venues and locales.
Of all the majestic places in Australia that befits a Chinese traditional wedding, Melbourne stands at number one. The place is simply majestic! Blending natural beauty with a chic, upscale lifestyle, the city stands out as a tropical marriage destination. There are lanes of heritage buildings, plush hotels with grand ballrooms, exclusive food places, private dining rooms, and even warehouse locations.
Besides a diversified assortment of wedding venues, the place has the best professional expertise to help plan and execute a Chinese wedding flawlessly. Be it specialized wedding planners or your pre-wedding photo shoots; you get the industry’s best talents to make your special day truly unforgettable.
Keep reading as we take you through the various facets of a Chinese wedding in Melbourne.
Intimate Chinese Wedding Traditions Revolving Around Familial Traditions
Whether you are from the West or the East, ceremonies at a Chinese wedding are nothing similar to what you experience in your culture. The essential characteristics of these weddings are how they are celebrated with the close-knit family and how each ceremony upholds the traditions and heritage of the families. The weddings are layered with traditional fiestas. Since there are about 56 officially recognized ethnic groups in China, customs differ from tribe to tribe. Venues for a Chinese wedding in Melbourne, hence, need to be aligned with the requirements of the cultural traditions.
A Chinese Celebrant and MC (Marriage Celebrant) here plays an important role by conducting and officiating ceremonies in Chinese Weddings in Melbourne. With precise knowledge of Chinese traditions and culture, they guide couple and their families through each step of the wedding rituals to ensure each ritual is performed correctly. Their presence adds a sense of authenticity and cultural significance to the wedding ceremony.
Additionally, how can I not mention Chinese servants here as they also contribute a lot to the make the Chinese wedding ceremony in Melbourne more joyful. From event planners and caterers to servers and coordinators, these Chinese assistants work diligently to ensure the celebration runs smoothly. They bring a deep understanding of Chinese customs and languages. This understanding creates a comfortable space for guests to freely engage and express themselves in their native language. These dedicated individuals ensure the celebration runs seamlessly, ultimately enhancing the couple’s special day.
1. Hair Combing
On the day of the wedding, the bride’s mother combs the bride’s hair. Similarly, the groom’s mother combs her son’s hair. This is a customary tradition. The underlying significance of this custom is that both the bride and groom look their best on their D-day. Many modern-day couples usually do not indulge in this tradition anymore, but it is considered good luck as both mothers recite blessings in their local dialect. An important feature of this ceremony is that this activity is done at the bride and groom’s place at the same time.
2. Chinese Tea Ceremony
This is one of the popular aspects of modern Chinese wedding traditions that witnesses the newlyweds serving tea to the groom’s family members. The Chinese wedding tea ceremony usually occurs twice – once at the bride’s place and the other at the groom’s place. First, at the bride’s place, the would-be couple serves tea to the bride’s family to pay their respect to everyone. After the wedding, the couple heads to the groom’s place, where the tea ceremony is held again the next day of the wedding or immediately after the wedding ritual.
In both cases, the tea served by the bride and groom is often accompanied by red dates or two lotus seeds. There is an accepted code of service when the tea is served. First, the oldest members of the family are served, and then the youngest. After the family sips the tea, everyone is expected to give the newly married couple money, jewelry, etc., inside a red envelope.
3. Gate Crashing
The groom and his entourage walk and travel down to the bride’s place for the wedding ceremony. When they enter the venue, often door games are played, which are actually fun-filled activities or ‘tests’ conducted by the bride’s family. The underlying thought is that the bride or the daughter is too valuable to be simply married off to anyone; therefore, the groom has to show that he deserves his bride.
One of the enjoyable games is the heng dai game, called a gate crashing game. It is not a mandatory game, but most families organise this. The groom and his friends must pass through different challenges before entering the venue; the bridesmaids plan these games. It could be related to crazy dance steps, eating crazy foods, jumping over gates, etc. The door games, called chuangmen, involve singing love songs for the brides to do push-ups and many more tricky and mischievous activities.
4. Procession
Chinese traditional weddings were characterised by the customary procession of the groom, accompanied by the light and sound displays of bursting firecrackers, beating of the drums, and playing loud gongs. In some Chinese costumes, the procession is still integral to the wedding ceremony. The crackling of firecrackers adds excitement and tradition to the event. Beyond the wedding vibes and atmosphere, firecrackers are believed to bring good luck and ward off negativity, making them an essential and joyful part of the celebration.
The procession also consists of a special performance consisting of the traditional lion dancing. This symbolic dance, believed to bring luck and happiness, blends seamlessly with the groom’s journey. With colorful costumes and energetic moves, the lion dancers add joy and meaning to the procession, creating unforgettable memories for all. It’s a beautiful fusion of tradition and celebration.
This traditional dance is followed by the group of attendants carrying lanterns and manners, and musicians performing classical music.
After the wedding, on the way back, the bride accompanies the groom in the backdrop of firecrackers. When the bride arrives at her husband’s place, she is received by the entire family of the bridegroom. A red mat is placed beneath the chair where she sits. Before entering the house, she has to cross a fire or a saddle.
5. Toss the Fan
This is a crucial custom in Chinese weddings even today. The bride tosses a fan after marriage and before leaving for the groom’s home. The custom signifies an act of getting rid of her prejudices and tempers as she becomes a woman ready to adapt and embrace the traditions and cultures of her husband’s home.
6. The Au Chuang Tradition
Au Chuang is a part of traditional Chinese weddings. It means preparing the bed for the couple for their first night. The room that the newlywed’s share is decked up, all in the colors red and gold. The use of red lamps and gold decorations is significant as these signify procreation. These traditional setups are left for at least three days after the wedding. In certain tribes, the new bride and groom are made to sit on the bed and served a concoction of wine and honey in two separate goblets, tied by a red-colored thread. The custom is for the couple to take a sip from their goblets, exchange the cups, and finish the rest of the concoction.
7. Post-Wedding Ceremony
A tradition that happens the next day after the wedding is for the bride to pray to the family’s ancestors. She is then introduced to all the family members and friends of the groom—the bride kneels before the elders when she is given a small gift. The bride is then given a title by the husband’s parents, depending on her groom’s seniority. On the third day after the wedding, the bride and the groom visit the bride’s family. From now on, the bride is no longer treated as a family member; instead, she is treated as a guest.
Top Venues for Chinese Wedding Reception in Melbourne
Let’s find out more about Chinese wedding banquets in Melbourne.
1. Bramleigh Estate
One of the advantages of organising a Chinese wedding at this venue is the experience of the management in holding traditional and modern Chinese receptions in the city. The wedding specialists onboard have extensive knowledge of Asian cultures. Another specialty is the Hamptons menu curated from local and fresh produce. External food vendors are permitted by the venue, with Bramleigh Estate associated with many well-known caterers in Melbourne specialised in Asian food, like Crystal Palace and Silks Catering & Events.
This venue is in Warrandyte, at the beginning of the Yarra Valley. The Yarra River is close by, and the Estate itself is spread across 10 acres, making it a photographic location for a wedding. The place has a beautiful mix of indoor and outdoor wedding venues.
Address: 420 Ringwood-Warrandyte Rd, Warrandyte, VIC 3113.
Capacity: Monday to Thursday: Minimum Guarantee: 100 adults
Friday: Minimum Guarantee: 150 adults
Saturday: Minimum Guarantee: 200 adults
Sunday: Minimum Guarantee: 150 adults
Rate:
October – April: Monday to Thursday: $175 per person
Friday to Sunday: $ 215 per person
May – September: Monday to Thursday: $155 per person
Friday to Sunday: $ 185 per person
2. State Library Victoria
A classical Victorian-style venue featuring 19th-century architecture for a Chinese wedding, the State Library Victoria has five exclusive indoor reception venues. The Ian Potter Queen’s Hall and the La Trobe Reading Room are highly sought after by young couples. The high ceilings of the indoor venues with refined decor render the place highly sophisticated and elegant for a marriage ceremony.
Address: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Capacity: Between 180 and 450 people
Rate: Rates vary seasonally. However, the per-person rate for a wedding reception is usually between $120 and $150 during the off-season and between $200 and $250 during the high season.
3. West Beach Bathers Pavilion
A wedding reception in Melbourne along the gorgeous sea beach makes for a unique venue for a Chinese wedding. It is one-of-its-kind as it’s one of two licensed beach venues for weddings in Australia. The panoramic spread of the beach offers stunning views of the bay. At night, the scene is even more spectacular, with the twilights from Williamstown rendering an overpowering feel to the occasion.
Address: 330A Beaconsfield Parade, Saint Kilda West, VIC 3182
Capacity: Between 200 and 500 pax.
Rate: Rates vary seasonally. However, the per-person rate for a wedding reception is usually between $80 and $100 during the off-season and between $150 and $200 during the high season.
Best Asian or Chinese Catering Companies For Your Chinese Marriage in Melbourne
Other than traditional and modern Chinese wedding traditions like the Chinese wedding tea ceremony, the wedding reception or the feast following the marriage is of crucial importance. Food is at the center of the Chinese Wedding reception in Melbourne, especially the dinner, which is typically jointly held by the bride’s and the groom’s families.
The customary feast is a 10-course lavish meal. The inclusion of fish and abalone is pretty common. Abalone is a sign of charm, status, and good luck. Another common feature is the speech by the couple, where they thank their elders, parents, and grandparents. The newlyweds can, however, decide how to go about paying their respect and gratitude to their family members. They can sing, have a presentation prepared, and show slides, or however they wish to.
Notably, when dinner is served, the elders and grandparents are served first.
If you are planning your Chinese wedding in Melbourne then I would like to recommend the following Asian or Chinese catering services for the best feast for your guests.
1. SILKS Catering & Events
One of the leading wedding caterers in Melbourne is SILKS. The company has been around since 1998 , offering tailor-made dining experiences to customers. The caterer offers a choice of five menus and also the option of a customised menu. With a huge team of 200+ onboard, the company lives by the belief of valuing the family name, respecting customers and offering services with dedication and passion.
The menu options include Silk, Jasmine, Lotus, Executive, and Fusion. Led by Ken Luong as the General Manager, the catering company focuses totally on elaborate arrangements for weddings, cocktail parties, and corporate events.
Contact: 0433 671 595
2. Crystal Palace Catering
An award-winning caterer from Melbourne, Crystal Palace Catering has an experience of over 40 years in the food and catering industry. The company is known for its incredible food quality, outstanding services, and professional help from industry experts. The company is an accredited ABIA Ambassador for 2021 and is also a 6-timer winner as an independent Wedding Caterer of the Year at the Australian Bridal Industry Awards.
The company was started by Peter and Tony Ling as a humble local restaurant and which, with four decades, has evolved with an impressive journey. Well-aware that Chinese weddings incorporate traditions and rituals, the catering company goes the extra mile to flawlessly offer personalised attention and create bespoke experiences.
Address: 3602/8 Franklin Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000.
Contact: 0413 888 883 / 03 9650 9333
3. Oriental Teahouse
From a small tea shop in 1993, Oriental Teahouse has evolved to become a full-fledged Chinese restaurant and catering company in Melbourne. David Zhou, the founder, was one of the first in Melbourne to introduce authentic Yum Cha culture. David opened the first restaurant, South Yarra Restaurant, in 2003. As a Chinese caterer, the place serves a variety of Chinese food, starting from steamed, fried, and stir-fried dumplings with succulent fillings to crispy spring rolls.
There are three tiers of catering offered by Oriental Teahouse. There are ready-to-eat dumpling boxes for a small gathering. The Yum Cha grazing stations, steamers, and cooking equipment are carried to the event’s location for medium-sized gatherings. Finally, there’s onsite catering at the restaurants.
Address: 378 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000.
Phone: 03 9600 4230
4. Fabulous Catering
Declared the Runner-up at the 25th Victorian ABIA Awards, Fabulous Catering offers top-of-line catering services across Australia. The company offers a range of Chinese food choices, including non-veg, vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free items. Couples can look at serving buffets, gourmet barbecues, finger foods, canapes, seated menus including one-course, two-course, and three-course meals, and grazing-style share platters.
Rated as a top supplier of Easy Weddings, Fabulous Catering ensures freshness of ingredients, authentic taste, use of local resources and finest equipment, and exquisite culinary experiences. The company is known for designing bespoke menus and flawless execution of catering services. Costing depends on the menu – the base price of a cocktail menu starts at $24 per person, while the sit-down options start at $50 per person.
Contact: 1300 850 720
5. VI’s Classic Catering
VI’s was founded by Machi La, with 10+ years of experience at Sofitel Hotel Melbourne. This is where he received elaborate practical training in Chinese fusion cuisine. His on-the-job training in a five-star hotel has helped him pick up the finer nuances of customer service, which is vital in the hospitality industry.
Adding to Machi La’s expertise, the team has chefs from Hong Kong with decades of experience in Asian menus.
Contact 0416 198 898
6. KT Catering
One of the premier caterers in Melbourne is KT Catering. The company specializes in wedding catering services. Having been around for 16+ years, the catering company works with local seafood suppliers and native fruit and vegetable growers. Ensuring quality ingredients, the company ensures authenticity as well as Asian cuisines with a modern twist. The company offers three menu options, ensuring the foods are traditionally cooked with the freshest ingredients. Customized options include that the dietary requirements of the guests are met. The banquet package rate includes pre-dinner appetizers and unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks.
The head chef is Arthur Chen, also the co-founder of KJ Catering. He has an impressive background with 20 years of experience in the Chinese wedding industry. He uses his seasonings, original sauces, and spices to deliver the tastiest food to guests. The other founder is Kim Chen, who takes care of customer relations for the company.
Phone: 0411 316 880
7. Flying Woks
Serving original blends of Asian, Spanish, Indian, and Moroccan cuisines, the company specializes in catering to larger groups. It has been in the business since 1998. The Chinese menu consists of items like curries, noodles, soups, and yum cha. The caterer customizes the dishes per guest preferences, like vegan, dairy-free, halal, nut-free, coeliac, fructose-free, etc. Flying Woks is popular for their Hawker’s Style Street Food. The food items are cooked onsite.
The company has experience in events with 20 people per sitting to 3,000 people. The professional team has created a reputation for creating unforgettable experiences for customers with foods, flavours, and presentations.
Address: PO Box 1100, Sunshine West, Victoria, Australia, 3020.
Phone: 1300 00 9657
Panoramic Locations For Your Chinese Wedding Photography in Melbourne
Wedding photos in Chinese marriages are an integral part of the overall traditions. In Chinese customs, wedding photographs are taken before the ceremony. Hence, finding the most suitable picture-perfect places to prepare your wedding album is crucial. Of course, couples are free to go ahead and plan their wedding photo locations in Melbourne after the ceremony.
1. The Warrandyte State Park
The Warrandyte River Reserve is a photographer’s paradise. There are a plethora of vivid and romantic locales in the 8.9 hectares of the Reserve. It has a 2.2 km walking trail through the bushland on River Yarra’s southern bank. Between the Stonehouse Cafe and Andersons Creek, the Reserve has the Warrandyte Museum, Lions Park, Stiggants Reserve, Federation Playspace, and a heritage tourism area. There’s the Pound Bend Reserve, which has a walking track running almost parallel to the river. The Jumping Creek Reserve is another riverside setting blessed with picturesque natural surroundings.
2. Princess Bridge
A nostalgic-evoking location for your Chinese wedding photography in Melbourne is the Princess Bridge. It is, after all, the oldest bridge in the city, built in 1885. The vintage ambiance is perfect for being the idyllic backdrop for your pre-wedding photoshoot. Located between Hammer Hall and Flinders Street Station, the place looks and feels grand with old-fashioned light posts. The Yarra River is on both sides of the BridgeBridge, and the deep-green railing adds charm to the setting. With the help of professional photographers, perfect clicks result with the Yarra River, its garden banks, and the skyline of the city vividly captured. The sunset scene adds an element of romance and is best suited for wedding photos.
3. Catani Gardens
A nature park well-known for outdoor activities, the Catani Gardens is a great local bayside park, and it has been named after the designer, Carlo Catani. People flock to this garden for picnics on the waterfront. Multiple public events are held here, from time to time. The place is picture-perfect with numerous exotic mature trees, specially-designed rockery wall, has well laid out walking paths, rotunda, a drinking fountain, a playground with shade sails, and a huge grassed reserve. All of these create picturesque backdrops for your pre-wedding photoshoot.
Famous Styles of Chinese Wedding Photography in Melbourne
For your Chinese wedding, different styles of photography can be used to capture every angle moment of your D-day. Read on to learn more about the different Chinese wedding styles of photography.
The Classic Style
This is the portrait style of photography. In this case, the newlyweds pose with one another and their family members and friends. All the Chinese customs and traditions get captured in the traditional way with picture-perfect elegance. The photographer has to be experienced in this particular style of photography to do justice to the job. The eye for detail and patience are two important characteristics to get these shots right.
Natural Wedding Photography
This is another sure-shot winner. Natural settings and backdrops help enhance the look and feel of your wedding day photography. The natural light works wonderfully for the photographer’s camera. Consequently, this Chinese wedding style photography results in high-quality images that last long. The camera lens can beautifully capture the blend of soft and warm hues, thanks to sunlight and the beauty of nature.
Vintage Style
The name of the style says it all. This photography style is for couples who love anything vintage. Most young, newly married couples prefer this style because of the sophisticated look of each picture. Make every moment of your Chinese wedding nostalgic with this style. Expert photographers use modern techniques like photo filters to retouch the photos for rustic vibes.
Illustrative Style
This is another popular photography style, often called engagement photography. The crew will focus a lot on the background, lighting, and composition aspects to get it all right. The newlyweds need to be very spontaneous and demonstrative while shooting, letting the photographer capture the genuine emotions of the couple. The background landscape and the elements associated with nature are integrated within the clicks. It is an intricate work requiring unmatched expertise in this style.
Aerial Photography
For this Chinese wedding style photography, advanced equipment is required. With the help of a drone and a built-in HD camera, this style of photography captures a bird ‘ s-eye view of the couple and their location. It gives a different perspective to every shot. Outdoors or indoors, this mode of photography captures every shot from the best angles, creating valuable memories for your wedding album.
Fashion Photography
This is like the wish-come-true for every young couple today. After all, most men and women these days try to dress like fashionistas. In this photography style, the photographer focuses on how the couple dresses, highlighting their pose, clothes, makeup, entourage, hairstyle, and more. The photographer must be an art expert to do this style justice.
Black & White Style
This style is for you if you have a thing for monotone photos. Black and white clicks evoke nostalgia. Every time you flip through the album, you will revisit your special day with warmth and smiles. This style also helps in hiding flaws, especially related to lighting. Your photographer will concentrate on the objects in the backdrop to get the right essence.
Create Magic with the Best Wedding Photographers in Town
Make your Chinese wedding photography extraordinarily special with the expertise of Tree Studio services. Featuring one of Melbourne’s talented and experienced photographers, we bring out the best in every click of your Chinese wedding. Every setting and backdrop fires up with the touch of our vivid creativity and the use of cutting-edge and state-of-the-art equipment. Create magic and cherish memories by booking your wedding photography with Tree Studio.
Marriages call for celebrations all over the world. As an expert in the art of photography and a wedding photographer in Melbourne, it is an honor for me to present in this blog today the multi-dimensional aspect of Chinese weddings.
