Wedding Ceremony in Modern Europe and China

Presented by 06051162 Yu Xiaoxiao 09501215 Amelie Witt

POLS 3620 Contemporary Europe & AsiaProfessor Michael E. DeGolyer

Presentation Flow

1. Definitions of wedding and marriage

2. Wedding Profile

- European Christian wedding

- Chinese wedding

3. Comparison of both wedding ceremonies

06051162 YU Xiaoxiao 09501215 Amelie Witt

Definitions of marriage and wedding

• Marriage- “The legal union of a man and woman as husband and wife

[…], usually entailing legal obligations of each person to the other”

• Wedding- The act of marrying

- The ceremony or celebration of marriage

Wedding Marriage 06051162 YU Xiaoxiao 09501215 Amelie Witt

European Christian Wedding

Background• Christian wedding dominant

• Similar customs with localized variation

• Two formal wedding ceremony

- A civil ceremony

- A church ceremony

• Informal wedding celebration

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European Christian Wedding• Formal Civil Ceremony– Registrar office– Short ceremony– Dress code: dress/ suit– Witnesses of the bride and the groom– Celebration lunch or dinner

• Germany : Polterabend or `noisy evening` tradition– Smashing china as sign of luck– Informal celebrating with relatives and neighbors

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• Formal Church Ceremony– Waiting in front or in the Church for the arrival of the

bridal couple– Groom waiting in front of the altar, bride brought by her

father – Sitting down in front of the altar– Mess is either just a liturgy or a Eucharist – Marriage vows integrated in the mess – During the vows bride`s and groom`s best men witnesses– Wedding vows: `yes, I do`– Exchange of the rings

• Informal Wedding Celebration

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• Wedding in China

Reform and open-up, liberation of mind, globalization/western influence

Two types:-Traditional Chinese Wedding-Simplified / westernized Chinese Wedding

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Traditional Chinese Wedding ceremony

Three letters 三書-A request letter 娉書-A gift letter 禮書 Not in use anymore-A wedding letter 迎書

Six rituals 六禮• Proposal 納彩• Name matching 問名 • Betrothal 納吉 • Betrothal gifts presentation 納征• Wedding date selection 請期• Pick up the bride 親迎 - Sedan chair team- Kick off the apple placed on the saddle( 马鞍 ), and cross over it- Three bows- Tea ceremony

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Westernized Chinese Wedding Ceremony - Proposal and Engagement

- Wedding Planning and budgeting• Present betrothal gifts (betrothal lucky money)• Select wedding date• Preparing wedding invitation cards• Register in Home Affair Bureau, get marriage certification

- Wedding Day• Groom pick up bride with car team and a bunch of flowers in hand• Bride’s friends test groom party• Tea ceremony • Three bows • Exchange wedding rings• Toast to every guest

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Comparison of German Christian Wedding and Chinese Weddings

Decoration

Wedding location

Wedding dress

Wedding rituals

You

Thank you for you attention!

06051162 Yu Xiaoxiao09501215 Amelie Witt