Chinese Wedding Banquet: Food, Courses and Structure

The Chinese wedding banquet is usually the main event of the day, often taking place in the evening after the tea ceremony and other daytime traditions. In the UK, many couples hold a civil ceremony earlier in the day, then move to a restaurant or hotel for the banquet. The banquet is a celebration for both families and friends, and it is often the largest gathering of the wedding.

If you are planning a Chinese wedding in the UK, think about the flow of the day. The tea ceremony usually happens in the morning or early afternoon, often at the couple's home or a hotel. The banquet then becomes the formal reception, with its own structure of speeches, toasts and courses. Some couples choose to have a short civil ceremony first to make the marriage legal, especially if their religious or cultural ceremony is not legally binding on its own. Check GOV.UK for the current rules in your part of the UK.

A traditional Chinese wedding banquet typically has between eight and twelve courses. The number eight is lucky because it sounds like the word for prosperity in Cantonese and Mandarin. Ten courses are also common, as ten sounds like the word for perfection. Twelve courses are often seen as especially generous.

The structure usually follows a set order. It starts with a cold dish platter, then moves to soups, mains such as fish, chicken, prawns and duck, a rice or noodle dish, and finishes with a sweet dessert. The banquet is served in courses, with each dish placed in the centre of the table for everyone to share. This sharing style is a key part of the experience.

A typical order might be: cold appetisers, a shark fin or fish maw soup (though many couples now choose a vegetarian or bird's nest alternative), lobster or prawns, a whole fish, a roast meat such as crispy pork or duck, chicken, a vegetable dish, noodles or fried rice, and a dessert like red bean soup or sweet glutinous rice balls. The whole fish is often served near the end, as it symbolises abundance and togetherness.

Many dishes at a Chinese wedding banquet carry symbolic meanings. The whole fish, often steamed or braised, represents abundance and surplus. It is served whole to symbolise unity and a complete family. The fish head and tail are sometimes left on to show that the marriage has a good beginning and end.

Chicken, especially a whole chicken, symbolises happiness and a good marriage. Prawns and lobster are associated with laughter and joy, because the Cantonese word for prawn sounds like the word for laughter. Noodles, especially long ones, represent longevity and a long life together. They should not be cut, as that would shorten the wish.

Desserts are also meaningful. Red bean soup is a classic, and sweet glutinous rice balls, called tangyuan, symbolise togetherness and family unity. The colour red appears throughout the banquet, from the table decorations to the wedding invitations, because red is a colour of luck and joy in Chinese culture.

Seating at a Chinese wedding banquet is carefully planned. The head table is usually for the couple, their parents and close relatives. The most honoured guests, such as grandparents or important elders, sit at the head table or at the table closest to the stage. The couple's friends and colleagues are often seated at tables further back.

At the start of the banquet, the couple and their parents may give a short speech or welcome. Then the toasts begin. The couple usually toasts the guests first, and then the parents may toast the couple. In many regions, the couple visits each table to toast the guests, often with a glass of wine, tea or a soft drink. It is polite for guests to stand when toasting and to say a few words of blessing.

As a guest, you should bring a red envelope with money as a gift. The amount is your choice, but even numbers are preferred, and amounts with the number eight are considered lucky. Avoid amounts with the number four, as it sounds like the word for death. You can hand the red envelope to the couple or place it in a box at the entrance. It is also polite to dress in smart, festive clothing, and to avoid black or white, which are colours of mourning.

Many couples in the UK adapt the traditional banquet to suit their own tastes and budget. You do not have to serve every traditional dish. You might choose a set menu from a Chinese restaurant that offers wedding banquets, or you might work with a caterer to create a menu that blends Chinese and British dishes. Some couples include a short civil ceremony before the banquet to make the marriage legal, especially if their religious ceremony is not legally binding on its own.

Modern banquets often include elements like a photo slideshow, a first dance, or a DJ. Some couples choose to have a smaller tea ceremony and a larger banquet, while others swap the order. The key is to balance tradition with what feels right for you. In the UK, you can hold a banquet in a Chinese restaurant, a hotel, or even a community hall. Some venues are approved for civil ceremonies, so you might be able to have both the ceremony and the banquet in the same place.

When planning a Chinese wedding banquet in the UK, start by choosing a venue that can accommodate the number of guests and the style of service you want. Many Chinese restaurants have experience with wedding banquets and can offer set menus. Ask about the number of courses, the serving style, and whether they can accommodate dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan or halal.

Think about the flow of the evening. You will need time for speeches, toasts, and the table-to-table greeting. You may also want to include entertainment or games. Remember that the banquet is a celebration for your guests, so make sure they feel welcomed and fed. It is also a good idea to have a small cake or dessert table, even if the banquet already includes a sweet course.

Finally, consider the legal side. If you are having a religious ceremony that is not legally binding on its own, you will need to have a civil ceremony as well. Check the rules for your part of the UK, as they differ between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The GOV.UK website has up-to-date information.