Traditional Chinese Betrothal & Marriage

'GUO DAI LAI' ~ Cantonese
stands for Betrothal before the Wedding


06-01-08, Sunday

This was the day when both side of the parents meet. Grand gifts are presented to the bride's family by the groom's family.

According to what I'd read from the net. This is a formal occasion where the two families officially acknowledge the marriage and give their blessing. The proposal gifts usually include token money wrapped in red packet and items such as tea, double happiness cake, pair of male and female poultry, sweets and sugar, wine and tobacco. The token money is usually $99 or $999 as the number NINE represents "forever" in Chinese culture. Tea is included as an important part of the gift because the two families wish the new couple to have as many descendants as the tea leaves. The total items of gifts should be even number.The bride's family will distribute the double happiness cake to relatives and friends as a form of announcement. Nowadays, both families send double happiness cakes along with wedding invitations. At this point, the two families will proceed to prepare for the wedding.

Dowry was presented to my parents by Hubby & his mum. Of course, we didn't follow everything as per the above listed. Just some of the basic that my mum had requested.

For the Bride's Family:

1. Double Happiness Cake - For All Family Members
(Specially requested from my sisters that they wanted Durian & Mango Cake from Angie The Choice)




2. Fruits like Apples x 6 nos., Oranges x 6 nos. & Pineapple x 2 nos
(Everything comes in even)




3. 2 bottles of red wine from Wold Blass




4. Dowry for Parents
(Comes in a form of red packet with sincere messages from Hubby to my parents)

For the Groom's Family:
1. Double Happiness Cake - For Parents
(From Angie The Choice again)

2. 2 bottles of F&N orange

3. Apples x 2 nos. & Oranges x 2 nos.

(To return the kindness with sweet beverages)

On top of that, the bride's mum will present some gifts to the groom. Usually the gifts are standard like a belt, a pair of trouser, a wallet and a wedding ring.

From my understanding, the bride's mum will make all the purchases. But in our case, my mum gave us the money and got Deon to do his own shopping. It's much appropriate to buy what Deon likes.

So end up ... a few weeks before the Special Day, hubby & I went hunting for all his stuff.

Last but not least, on this Guo Dai Lai, I had my hairdo again. This time, was just a bit of trimming and colouring. 2 weeks before our big day.