Don’t know how to get through a 10 course wedding dinner with multiple (loud) toasts and drunk family members? Can’t find the gift registry? And most importantly, don’t know how much to give the newlyweds in that red packet?
Of course we have your answers.
Most local Chinese weddings have a dinner reception. The event usually starts only an hour after the time stated on your card, so don’t get yourself in a huff if you’re running half an hour late – you’re actually early.
Before you begin the great feast, deposit your red packet (hong bao to the Chinese) with the receptionist, where she’ll write your name on the back, put it into a little box, and hand over your table number. Don’t know how much to give? There are two important factors: how close you are to the couple, and the dinner venue. We’ve included a list on how much is expected for different hotels.
Tables seat about 10 people, but rest assured you’ll be seated among friends. Most dinners tend to last at least three hours – and the set menu (usually an 8-10 course dinner) will arrive intermittently. Trust us – you’ll start off starving and leave stuffed for sure.
The real shenanigans start at the end of dinner. Abandon those notions of articulate toasts and join the Chinese clan in the traditional “yam seng”. There’s a general yam seng (toast) for the entire banquet hall before the couple makes their rounds to important tables for individual toasts. The job’s simple: just raise your glass and yell out “yahm” for as long as you can before ending with a loud “seng”. You’re drinking to the success of the marriage, so the louder the better!
Image: Lightsauce Pictures