Asian Wedding Ideas

Having An Oriental Wedding Theme

Photo by Hsu

This is not an exact composite of an oriental wedding. Instead, these Asian wedding ideas will give you a general idea of some Asian (mostly Chinese) traditions and customs that you may wish to include.

The best thing to keep in mind is that the wedding colors for an oriental wedding are usually red and yellow. White is not used since it is associated with funerals.

Oriental Wedding Attire

Bride

Traditionally, the bride's dress is a red silk brocade gown (with or without a jacket) and usually was embroidered with a yellow Chinese dragon and/or phoenix. Matching red shoes were worn along with a red veil which covers the face and is secured by a phoenix crown (the traditional headpiece worn by the bride).

With a North American wedding, you will most likely be wearing a white gown that's been sewn in an Oriental design. You can usually find dresses with beautiful orchids and other Asian symbols embroidered on the dress. Add some red to your dress, even if it's just a red floral corsage pinned to it.

Bridesmaids

Dress your bridesmaids in solid yellow or red silk brocade dresses with a red sash tied around waist and matching colored slippers. They could wear a lovely red flower in their hair and carry sandlewood fans.

Groom

Like the bride, the groom should also be dressed in red with a dragon or phoenix embroidered on the jacket.

Groomsmen

Select solid yellow or solid red jackets.

Asian Style Wedding Invitations

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when selecting your invitations:

It's a nice idea to use the Chinese symbol for double happiness on your invitations and other paper items.
Do not use red ink on pure white paper, as white signifies death and is used at funerals. Gold on reddish colored paper works fine - and you can get away with a cream colored paper too.
You could also have the Chinese dragon or phoenix images on the invitation.

Asian Wedding Decorations

Photo by Megarooo

Are you ready to start decorating? Here are some Asian wedding ideas to create an Oriental feel at your marriage celebration.

Hang Chinese paper lanterns around the room.
Cut out Chinese symbols from red and gold cardboard and tape up on the walls. Use the symbols for double happiness, love, etc.
Get a large paper or balloon Chinese dragon and hang it from the ceiling.
Use red tablecloths with a gold lace topper.
Set a single orchid in a slim vase for table centerpieces and scatter a few petals around the table. Simple, yet elegant.
Float lotus blossoms and floating candles in silver bowls.
Scatter Chinese character confetti on the reception tables.

Asian Wedding Centerpieces

Here's two great videos showing you how to make a couple of lovely bamboo table centerpieces. Have a look and give it try!

Asian Bamboo Arrangement

This arrangement uses bamboo, bamboo leaves, iris, ivy leaves, quince, and anthurium.

Asian Centerpiece Using a Large Saucer and a Small Bowl

This is a really unique centerpiece idea using bamboo, bamboo foliage, spray roses, sprouted iris bulbs, and ivy leaves with chopsticks as an accent.

Favors With An Oriental Wedding Flair

It's always the custom to thank your guests for attending your marriage by presenting them with a small token gift favor. Here are some Asian style wedding favors that will are a perfect touch:

Photo by Megarooo

Give chopsticks imprinted with your names and the wedding date.
Package mini Chinese horoscopes with some fortune cookies in red netting and tied with gold ribbon.
Present the women with decorated Chinese sandlewood fans or miniature parasols.
Give sparklers and firecrackers to the men.
We all know what yo-yo's are, but have you ever tried a Chinese yo-yo? Bet your guests haven't either!

Flowers and Bouquet Suggestions

Don't use a pure white flower bouquet or arrangement - again, white is for funerals.

Suggestions for appropriate flowers are: peonies, orchids, lotus blossoms, daffodils, and jonquil.