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Some families will decorate the space and set aside their best tea pot and tea cups for the ceremony. Sometimes a set is passed down through the family, others borrow a set from a loved one, or rent one. Most wedding & event venues allow you to utilize their in-house teapot and cups – be sure to tell them what you need and how many you need in advance (don’t forget the hot water)! Read more at: http://chrisluk.com/?p=7355 (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMGYhJNh6wW/?igshid=vw75yxtk4805

Some families will decorate the space and set aside their best tea pot and tea cups for the ceremony (sometimes a set is passed down through the family), others borrow a set from a loved one, or rent one. Most wedding & event venues allow you to utilize their in-house teapot and cups – be sure to tell them what you need and how many you need in advance (don’t forget the hot water)! Read more at: http://chrisluk.com/?p=7355 (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMGYQ4pBMId/?igshid=d5fmkirjdld1

A practical tip: I recommend that the tea be made about 15 minutes in advance of the tea ceremony, so that it has time to cool down slightly. It’s difficult to safely hold onto or consume a cup of tea when it’s too hot. Each cup does not need to be filled to the brim, it’s meant to be just a sip after all! Read more at: http://chrisluk.com/?p=7355 (at Markham, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMGXtx-Be1t/?igshid=1lvqm51ewzlot

Red dates are often added inside the tea cup to symbolize fertility (to grow the family by inviting children). The dates also impart a sweet taste to the tea, which is meant to encourage everyone to have a “sweet” life. Read more at: http://chrisluk.com/?p=7355 (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMGXiCWh1R8/?igshid=16hfv5m1bxbqh

The serving of the tea is an expression of gratitude from children to their parents for all their love, care, and support they’ve received throughout their life, as well as a gesture of respect and appreciation to their new in-laws. It is also a celebration of the gaining of a son or daughter into both sides of the family, and an opportunity for the parents to formally welcome them. Read more at: http://chrisluk.com/?p=7355 (at Markham, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLiLevgh2RP/?igshid=1lkgpvyrhf92v

The groom and bride take turns, respectfully offering a drink of tea to their parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, and other elders of their family. This is often the first time that the bride and groom meet their new extended family members and address them by their formal “Chinese family tree” title. For example, the groom would now start addressing his in-laws as his new mother and father; similarly, the bride would also address her in-laws as her new mother and father. Performing this communally symbolizes togetherness, loyalty, and the expectation of a long fruitful marriage. Read more at: http://chrisluk.com/?p=7355 (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLiLPOHB3rI/?igshid=1n7j6npqzbxid

The newlyweds respectfully offer a drink of tea to the elders in their family. In return, the elders offer the newlyweds words of encouragement (more on “4 word blessings” in another post!), monetary gifts (in the form of “red pocket” envelopes), and sometimes sentimental gifts as well (inherited jewelry or newly purchased jewellery such as rings, bracelets, and necklaces). Read more at: http://chrisluk.com/?p=7355 (at Markham, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLiK8ZxhPQv/?igshid=6hmze1m6l3n9

The tea ceremony can be cheerful, celebratory, and lively. It can also be emotional, bittersweet, and somber. Since everyone’s family dynamic and situations are different, a wide range of emotions are often seen: from tear-filled joy reminiscing about the past and how their precious little child has now grown up, to optimistically looking ahead to a great future, to communally grieving the loss of a loved one who is no longer with us and is sorely missed. Often times, there are surprising small glimpses of these unspoken thoughts in families which are not usually very visible in their affection towards each other. Read more at: http://chrisluk.com/?p=7355 (at Markham, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLeo7qFh6Mt/?igshid=1laxnhdlvmm72

Will you be integrating a Chinese tea ceremony into your wedding celebrations? What are you most looking forward to? Read more at: http://chrisluk.com/?p=7355 (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLeohGJhgpw/?igshid=651oeg59jayy

If you’ve participated in a Chinese tea ceremony before, what was your most memorable moment? Read more at: http://chrisluk.com/?p=7355 (at Markham, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLeoOHqBgBE/?igshid=1hcj60dl7j80w

When you keep exploring ... sometimes, you find something amazing! Makeup Artist: @windy.chiu (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdswhkhgc_/?igshid=1s6dltj9zgn

When you find something amazing, share it with someone you love. Makeup Artist: @windy.chiu (at North York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdsgfqhsz4/?igshid=1tapzdm7h5fa1

Don't take it for granted that you love someone and that someone loves you too. Makeup Artist: @windy.chiu (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdsUTchKxT/?igshid=rxhulx0rcror

If Karen and Kelvin look familiar, it’s probably because you saw their surprise marriage proposal at the Scarborough Bluffs! See more at: https://chrisluk.com/?p=7475 Makeup Artist: @windy.chiu (at North York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGbIQwOhKhJ/?igshid=g5ogfq2yfgln

A year later after their surprise marriage proposal, I got to see Spencer Bear again! But, Mrs Bear doesn’t have a name yet – so maybe you can help them think of some great ideas! :) Makeup Artist: @windy.chiu (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGbICwbhPtL/?igshid=14k4i8jvcz1ck

A year later after their surprise marriage proposal, I got to see Spencer Bear again! But, Mrs Bear doesn’t have a name yet – so maybe you can help them think of some great ideas! :) Makeup Artist: @windy.chiu (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGbHsx1BYRf/?igshid=vjxj4p9xkbwo

For their engagement session, they really wanted to capture some images with the autumn colours and fall leaves, so we brainstormed a few different locations and decided on this one! Makeup Artist: @windy.chiu (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGYmtzIBElN/?igshid=2atyt4rq8j5t

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