March 4, 2008

A Red Wish

A Chinese celebratory tradition is to give red envelopes filled with money to friends and family on celebration days as a wish for good luck. A twist on this Asian tradition is to fill those red envelopes with wishes for the bride and groom.

When greeting guests as they arrive for the ceremony, hand each guest a slip of paper, a pen and a red envelope, upon which they can write their fondest wishes, best advice, or favorite quote.

Once written there are a number of ways you can collect these wishes and a number of ways you can enjoy them.

Some brides choose to have guests fill the branches of a potted tree, hanging the envelopes from the branches or boughs, creating a wedding wish tree. As well as a stunning decorative feature, it also acts as a guest book that veers from the traditional.

Another idea is to have individuals assigned to walk with baskets up the aisle collecting the envelopes, then placing the baskets around the altar surrounding the bride and groom with the well-wishes of their family and friends.

When the wedding is over, no matter how the envelopes were displayed, the bride and groom can open them privately when they have a chance to ponder the advice given.

By handing out numbered envelopes from one to fifty before the ceremony, representing years of marriage (ie. 1 would equal their first anniversary, and onwards to 50), the bride and groom can then receive advice for every year they are married, given by those who were there the day they were wed.

Another great example of how traditions can be included in your wedding ceremony, even if you are not of Asian decent, the Chinese tradition of blessing your family and friends with the good luck color of red is the perfect way to start you life together.

©2008 Weddingstar Inc.