Are you knee deep in wedding planning mode? Get your Pinterest board ready, because we’ve got 30 fun ideas for you if you want to incorporate some Asian elements into your fusion wedding.
1: Use props or wear a cheongsam during your engagement photos
For your engagement photos, you can play around with some props like red balloons or flowers. The color red is a symbol of good luck in Chinese culture. Or if you'd like to get more time with your Chinese wedding dress (especially if it's only being used for a tea ceremony), take photos of it for your engagement! We have a variety of modern cheongsam and qipao designs here for you to get inspired by.
2: Incorporate Chinese characters in your invitations
Give a hint of your asian fusion wedding by incorporating some red, the double happiness character, or Chinese icons in your invitations. If you're planning to have a tea ceremony, consider sending invitations for that as well! You can also read our guide on hosting a tea ceremony to get more ideas on what you need.
3: Seal your invitations with a Chinese stamp
Give that vintage feel to your invitations by skipping the usual envelope and instead sending it packaged with a real candle wax stamped in red. What character should you put in the stamp? Choose from a variety of Chinese characters like 喜喜 "Double Happiness" or 爱 "Love".
4: Jazz up bridal shoes with red
Jazz up your bridal shoes, with a pop of red underneath. It’ll feel like you’re walking on the red carpet and give you extra good luck. We love this subtle touch to your wedding, especially if you don't want to go all out with a Chinese wedding dress.
Take a look at our selection of Chinese wedding shoes.
5: Decorate bridal party snacks with "爱" (Chinese character for love)
What is better than cupcakes? Lovecakes! Sorry not sorry for the corny sweetness. Everyone loves a good dessert, so make your desserts stand out at your bridal party or wedding with a unique topping.
6: ADD AN ORNAMENTAL ASIAN HAIR ACCESSORY TO YOUR LOOK
A Chinese style hairpin is a beautiful touch if you're not sure what to wear for your wedding. Ranging from ones with pankou knots adorned to more subtle ones with pearls and fans, these Chinese hair accessories are a perfect way to complete your look. Bonus if you can find any from your mom or grandma's jewelry box for that something borrowed.
7: Use pops of red and double happiness in your bouquet sash
Red might be too loud of a color to pull off in bouquets, but you can always play around with the bouquet sash. Add a double happiness symbol on it for just the right amount of flair.
8: Line your ceremony aisle with lanterns
Lanterns symbolize your wish for a good future. What a perfect way to frame your walk down the aisle.
9: Add a double happiness symbol to your ceremony arch.
Make it the focal point of your Western ceremony or tea ceremony.
10: HOST A TEA CEREMONY
Either before or during your ceremony, consider incorporating a tea ceremony to involve your parents and relatives in your wedding.
Get all the supplies you need for your tea ceremony—from the tea set to kneeling pillows (your knees will thank you!) in our one stop shop.
And get the timeline for when you should be planning what for your tea ceremony with our Ultimate Tea Ceremony Guide.
11: Give out Chinese Embroidered Fans
If it’s a hot summer day and you’re contemplating umbrellas or fans for your guests, give them beautiful Chinese embroidered fans instead.
12: ADD ZODIAC ANIMALS TO YOUR CEREMONY PROGRAMS
Or turn your ceremony programs into a fan, so you can kill two birds with one stone. Bonus points if you want to add the zodiac animals to represent your fiancé and you!
13: PLAY INSTRUMENTAL CHINESE SONGS AS PROCESSIONAL MUSIC
There are some beautiful Chinese songs that can be used as instrumental processional music - especially for your grandparents and your parents to walk down to.
14: WEAR A CHEONGSAM AS YOUR SECOND OUTFIT
The reception is a great time to change and wear a modern cheongsam (qipao) as your second outfit! Often lighter and slimmer than traditional wedding dresses, these Chinese wedding dresses are perfect for hitting those moves on the dance floor. We offer custom designs so you can turn your dream cheongsam into reality. Read more about the different types of cheongsam dresses for your wedding on our Style Guide.
Even better, show up as the power couple with matching cheongsam and Tang suits. Learn what outfits the groom can wear to also celebrate the Chinese culture here.
15: PLAY AROUND WITH ESCORT CARD IDEAS
One easy way is to add a double happiness symbol to each card. If you want to get fancy, you can turn them into cranes, umbrellas, or even cute little buddhas.
16: NAME YOUR TABLES AFTER CHINESE CHARACTERS
Instead of numbering your tables, name them Chinese words like Harmony, Love, etc. Chinese calligraphy is very elegant and could be a great place to showcase that.
17: USE RED ENVELOPES AND CHINESE CANDY AS TABLE DECOR
Add red envelopes around the table to make it look more festive. And some Chinese candy guests can help themselves to while they wait for the main course.
Get inspired by these modern styled red envelopes for your wedding.
18: DECORATE THE DANCE FLOOR WITH UMBRELLAS
Add umbrellas above the dance floor to create the perfect mood for your first dance.
19: HIRE LION DANCERS TO PERFORM
Hire two lion dancers to perform during your reception. It’ll be a great way to get guests unto the dance floor.
20: ADD POPULAR ASIAN SONGS TO THE PLAYLIST
Here's the Crazy Rich Asians soundtrack for some inspiration.
21: SERVE HEDGEHOG BUNS FOR FOOD
One thing Asians love to do is to eat. And what better way to celebrate your culture than through your cuisine? If you’re lucky to have flexibility with your caterer, ask if they can make hedgehog buns for adorable photos!
22: GIVE YOUR CAKE TOPPER SOME ASIAN STYLE
Make the couple on top of your cake wear matching traditional clothing.
23: DECORATE YOUR CAKE WITH RED AND GOLD
Or go all out with your cake decoration and make it red and gold.
24: MAKE DOUBLE FORTUNE HAPPINESS MACARONS, SERVE IN BAMBOO STEAMERS
You know we love our sweets. Go big with double fortune macarons in dim sum bamboo holders. Or specially decorated Chinese cookies with Chinese proverbs.
Need an idea for what to include as your Chinese proverb? Take a look at our blog post here.
25: GO BIG ON ASIAN SWEETS FOR DESSERTS
Fill your dessert table with some of the most popular asian desserts - red bean sesame balls, mooncakes, etc. "I don't like asian desserts," said no one ever.
26: PLAY AROUND WITH PERSONALIZED CHOPSTICKS FOR GUEST FAVORS.
Celebrate your love of good food and gatherings by ordering your own custom sets of chopsticks. Custom chopsticks can be a great wedding favor for your guests or to celebrate something special.
You can customize your very own wedding chopsticks here. Our chopsticks come in a variety of free sleeve colors to match your wedding theme. Or upgrade to the fancier brocade fabric sleeves to add an extra touch of Chinese tradition to your wedding.
27: GIFT OUT FORTUNE COOKIES AS GUEST FAVORS
Still not over sweets? You could also personalize fortune cookies as guest favors.
28: GIVE AWAY BAMBOO TREES AS GUEST FAVORS
Bamboo trees are very popular in Chinese households and can symbolize luck and various other good fortunes depending on the number of stalks. It's a great gift for guests that will also last (depending on how much of a green thumb your guests have).
29: USE CHINESE TAKEOUT BOXES AS GUEST BAGS
If you plan to give a treat such as chocolates, place them in cute Chinese favor boxes, or takeout boxes, or even cute bamboo steamers. A great and simple way to incorporate a piece of your heritage on your wedding day.
30: RELEASE SKY LANTERNS AS YOUR SEND OFF
Photo credit: BeyondTheDarkRoom
Sending off sky lanterns have traditionally be done for centuries, especially during the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. Take a page from the festivals and have your guests write their own wishes on their lanterns and send them off at the end of the night. You’ll be guaranteed to have pictures that will last a lifetime. (Quick note: sky lanterns are illegal in some states, so check before you buy!)
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In the mood for more?
- If you're looking for cheongsam ideas but don't have any idea where to start, read our Chinese wedding dress 101 guide here to get some inspo.
- Read our ultimate guide to hosting the perfect Chinese wedding tea ceremony
- Get inspired with our 6 Ideas for Chinese Wedding Guest Favors.