Traditionally, the bride is supposed to go back for a home visit three days after the wedding but nowadays many wedding couples return to the bride’s place in the same day. The bride has to change into another outfit such as Kwa or a simpler dress to signify three days have passed. The couples will also have to prepare gifts for the visit back to the bride’s home. Another tea ceremony will held at the bride’s place and the tea is preferred to be served in the bride’s mother ‘s tea set.
For Teochew and Hokkien, the items to bring over as gifts to Bride’s family are:
Roast Pig or Pork
Even number of Oranges
*Teochew Only*Peanut Candy
*Teochew Only*Seasame Candy
*Hokkien Only* Traditional Hokkiens Candy ( Rice Candy, Peanut Candy, Popped Rice and Sesame rolls, Bean Paste Pastries 豆沙饼)
After the ceremony, if roasted pig is part of the gift, it will be divided into 3 portions (head, tail, middle). The middle portion will be kept for the bride’s family while the head and the tail portion will be returned to the groom’s family. A piece of red paper or cloth will be used to wrap the cut section of the pig before it is being brought back to the groom’s family. The oranges are to be exchanged at the bride’s house and given to the couple to bring back to groom’s family.
In the past, the bride’s family usually give sugar canes and a pair of hen and rooster (带路鸡) as part of the return gift. The sugar cane is to wish the couple a happy marriage (甜甜蜜蜜). The chicken pair are to be left under the nuptial bed and the family waits to see which of the pair comes out of the bed first. If the rooster comes out first, it is believed that the couple is due for a boy.
Above information courtesy of House of Etiquette
Other Wedding Traditions for Teochew & Hokkien
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)
Entering the groom’s house 过门 (Guo Men)
