Out of the bridal car, the bride will need to be sheltered by the red umbrella again. When the wedding couple arrived at the groom’s, his family members will go to another room as they enter the house. This is to prevent any future clash between the bride and her new family members.
In the house, the couple will pray to heaven, earth and ancestors then proceed to their bridal room. The groom’s family members can come out after the couple enters the bridal room.
In their bridal room, the couple will be served a ‘sweet soup’ (usually with longans, red dates, lotus seeds, hard-boiled egg and/or rice ball), or ‘mee sua’ (rice noodle) in their room. The sweet soup with the auspicious ingredients symbolises a sweet and harmonious marriage while the mee sua symbolises longevity.
At the tea ceremony, the couple will kneel in front of the seated elders and serve sweet longan tea to them. A female relative or match maker can help to pour the tea and rinse the cup. The couple will receive red packets and gifts from the elders after serving the tea. The juniors to the couple may serve tea to the couple as well. Note that the bride is to be at the right side of the groom.
After the tea ceremony, a young boy can be asked to jump and roll on the couple’s bed (压床). This is to bless the couple with many children.
Above information courtesy of House of Etiquette
Other Wedding Traditions for Hakka and Cantonese
Betrothal Gift Ceremony 过大礼 (Guo Da Li)
Setting up Matrimonial Bed 安床 (An Chuang)
Hair Combing Ritual 上头 (Shang Tou)
Fetching the Bride 接新娘 (Jie Xin Niang)
Leaving the Bride’s House 出阁 (Chu Ge)
Returning to bride’s home 三朝回门 (San Chao Hui Men)
