What is the different between Chinese wedding ceremony and western wedding ceremony?

The differences between Chinese and Western wedding ceremonies are profound and reflect the distinct cultural, traditional, and symbolic elements of each.

Attire

• In Chinese weddings, the bride traditionally wears a red dress, often embellished with gold thread, as red symbolizes happiness and good fortune. The groom typically wears a red gown as well134.
• In Western weddings, the bride traditionally wears a white or off-white dress, symbolizing purity and modesty. The groom usually wears a formal suit, often with a tie or vest235.

Pre-Wedding Rituals

• Chinese weddings involve several pre-wedding rituals, including making a marriage proposal, requesting the bride's name and date of birth, sending divination results and betrothal gifts, sending wedding presents, and arranging an auspicious wedding date according to Chinese tung shing. The bride's family receives elaborate gifts, and the bride participates in a hair-tying ceremony and must cry with her mother before leaving home14.
• Western weddings typically involve a bridal shower where the bride-to-be receives gifts and money to help furnish her new home. There are no specific pre-wedding rituals as elaborate as those in Chinese weddings23.

Wedding Ceremony

• Chinese weddings include a wedding procession with a traditional band, the bride's sedan, and dowries. The groom must overcome challenges or games before meeting the bride. The ceremony involves paying respects to the Jade Emperor, ancestors, and parents, and includes a tea ceremony where the couple serves tea to their elders14.
• Western weddings often take place in a church, outdoor setting, or home and include a vow exchange, ring exchange, and sometimes a religious ceremony. The bride walks down the aisle, usually accompanied by her father, and the ceremony is followed by a reception25.

Wedding Banquet

• In Chinese weddings, the wedding banquet (xǐ-jǐu or joyful wine) is a significant part of the celebration, often more important than the ceremony itself. It involves a multi-course meal with symbolic foods like shark fin, abalone, and sea cucumber, and the bride serves wine or tea to parents and guests14.
• Western weddings include a reception with a wedding cake, first dance, bouquet toss, and garter toss. Guests give practical gifts or money, and the reception often includes music and dancing25.

Symbolic Elements

• Chinese weddings are filled with symbolic elements such as the color red, the use of auspicious dates, and specific gifts like scissors and vases that symbolize peace and wealth. The tea ceremony is a crucial part of honoring elders and ancestors14.
• Western weddings include symbolic elements like the exchange of wedding rings (representing eternity and unending love), the veil (historically to protect the bride from evil spirits or symbolize modesty), and traditions like "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" to bring good luck25.

Duration and Timing

• Chinese weddings often last half a day, typically in the midday over an extravagant lunch, followed by celebrations of music and dancing3.
• Western weddings can last a full day, starting with the bride's preparation, followed by the ceremony, photos, and then a reception that extends into the late hours of the night23.

These differences highlight the unique cultural and traditional practices that distinguish Chinese and Western wedding ceremonies.