Romance in the eyes of Western and Asian People #2
Dear Steemit friends:
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/NXPYT92.jpg)
Today I'd love to share my experience of Western and Asian Wedding ceremonies, if you missed my part 1, you can find it HERE.
I must say i'm really lucky to attend these different types of weddings, it gives me a better sense of how western and Asian people create romance. Both are romantic, but there are some clear cut differences. Lets have a look at these wedding ceremonies and see if we can spot the differences.
I attended a wedding ceremony in Cambridge.
Wedding beginning:
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/CdnlCTU.jpg)
Guests waiting on the grass
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/ZvKXufg.jpg)
Groomsman and bridesmaids making their entrance
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/rnC1RBO.jpg)
This is the wedding I attended in Beijing.
Wedding beginning:
Guests wait outside in the lobby
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/EQOqeVa.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/2CUQqwu.jpg)
There are desserts and drinks in the resting area. They are decorated very sweet, pretty and romantic.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/3gZWCHp.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/HagFFWs.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/JpmkY6c.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/XnEIP5K.jpg)
The bridegroom and bride make their entrance into the lobby
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/GnTR8bb.jpg)
Wedding process: The Romantic moment in Cambridge
The atmosphere is serious, the bridegroom and bridge read their vows to each other and then put rings on each other. After that, the guests watch as they sign their marriage papers. Everybody is very touched.
People punting on the river send their greetings and best wishes and wave as they pass by. Probably the most distinguished guests are the dairy cows across the river, they move closer as if they want to attend as well!
After the wedding ceremony is finished, the groomsman and bridesmaids will send the bride and groom to the happiness boat. Together, they punt along the river as their first journey together as a married couple. It's so romantic!
After they return from punting, the bride and groom will sit with their groomsman and bridesmaids to have some drinks.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/sGKchuh.jpg)
Whilst they wait for the Wedding Breakfast, they'll sit together and chat. This is the seating arrangement board that shows which guests will sit on which table.
Wedding process: The exciting moment in Beijing.
There is a host on the stage, just like in a TV Talk Show, and they are responsible for making a good atmosphere and raising the spirits of everybody. Most of the times, there are some extra shows such as singing and dancing. Larger weddings will often invite famous singers to perform. I get the feeling that the emphasis at these Weddings are to entertain the guests. Not to make the ceremony too serious, touching or particularly romantic. As long as the atmosphere is lively, and guests are having fun, then the couple will be satisfied.
The guests usually sat in groups of 10 people around a large circular table. When I went to this wedding, aside from my friend, the other 9 people on the table are all strangers. The reason for this is, Chinese people like holding large weddings, and they will even invite their bosses and business partners in addition to their friends. Its quite normal for guests at the wedding to hardly know each other.
This is not a bad thing however because Chinese people see this as an opportunity to build their netweork (Guan Xi).
(You can find my article about building relationships Here)
Because relationships are built on communication, people will find any opportunity to talk with strangers. Even the host will make conversation with guests. Meanwhile, the seated guests will talk amongst themselves, often alluding to what's happening on stage.
Wedding timing:
Weddings held in the West compared to Asian countries have different time arrangements. In Cambridge, guests are told they should arrive before 2 o'clock in the afternoon. In China, wedding ceremonies need to finish before midnight. Only those who have been married before can have a wedding that finishes after midnight.
I've made some comparisons of two very different styles of weddings held in two very different places. Hopefully the differences are clear and raise a bit of interest. Hope you enjoyed my post! Don't forget to leave a comment !
今天我很开心能继续分享我参加婚礼的故事,如果你错过了第一部分,你可以在这里找到。我很开心参加了西方和亚洲的婚礼,让我能够种各个细节感受到中西方婚礼对浪漫的不同理解。今天我就继续带大家走进婚礼现场去探索一下文化差异吧! 剑桥的婚礼气氛很庄重,新人互相念誓词,一起签约证书,场面十分感动。宾客们也很认真地聆听。剑桥河上划船的人们在不断送着祝福的语言和笑容,连剑桥的奶牛也来观看婚礼。婚礼仪式结束后,伴郎伴娘会将新人们送上通往幸福的小船,新人们在剑桥的河上划船,非常浪漫。划船回来后后,新人和朋友们会坐在一起聊天休息。等待用餐,这是座位的排列板 北京婚礼过程,这里会有一个主持人在台上,就像TV里的脱口秀,调节气氛。有时候也会有一些助兴的节目,例如唱歌,舞蹈表演。有些大型的婚礼,会把著名歌手明星请来唱歌。所以在中国的婚礼,并没有太过追求庄严,感人和浪漫,而是更注重气氛热闹,充分估计到新人及双方亲友的个人情感, 宾客们玩得开心,主人们才有面子。宾客们会坐在圆桌上,经常是一桌上10个宾客,除了一位是自己朋友,其他都是陌生人。好在中国人的传统是,热情,通过聊天建立关系。所以有时候台上主持人和新人聊得很热闹,而台下宾客们也各聊各得,没有认真看台上。 国内外婚礼的在开始时间上也有不同的讲究。在国外婚礼被安排在下午1或2点,而中国的婚礼,必须在中午12点之前办完婚礼的仪式,因为在12点之后办婚礼的新人,都不是第一次结婚了。总之这些特点也体现出传统意义上的文化差异。 今天先分享到这里吧,希望你们喜欢我的照片。如果你们有什么疑问,别介意提出,我们一起讨论哦!
If you are interested in my other blogs related to Culture Exchange please check out these other blogs below^^
Romance in the eyes of Western and Asian People #1.The Anti-social way of Socializing in Asia.
Why you don't see Chinese girls wearing Bikini's at the beach?
Standing at the crossroads of different cultures: Relationships (Guan Xi)
Lost in Translation - Filial Piety
A primer to the etiquette of dining.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/bjjZO1R.jpg)
Nice post sweeet :)
Thanks @sompitonov
mycket fint
Thank you @ardina
This is sort of having fun for the older generation. This is one of their favorite entertainment :)
What wedding on the last picture? Why on English? I do not know what kind of cases, but very beautiful design! A color scheme is sumptuously!
Thanks vi1son! I think it's just a different way of celebrating, not necessarily a good or bad thing! The last picture is from the wedding at Beijing, the writing is to show the seating arrangements. I agree it's really beautiful colour scheme, very warm!
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It's that crazy dancing woman again.
She's here, she's crashing the reception party
No, don't let her on the dance floor.
Oh shit