Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony (Jing Cha): Order & What You Need

September 15, 2025

The wedding tea ceremony (Jing Cha) honors parents and elders. This modern guide covers the order of service, wording, and what you’ll need on the table.

What you need

Red/Gold Chinese Tea Ceremony Set (teapot + 4–6 cups + tray)
Double Happiness décor (optional)
Red envelopes (hongbao) & small sweets

Order of service (typical)

Setup: Place set on a table facing guests; warm cups with hot water.
Serve parents first (groom’s, then bride’s in some families). Couple stands together and offers cups with both hands, saying “請喝茶 / 请喝茶 (please drink tea).”
Receive blessings/gifts: Elders give words, jewelry, or hongbao. Place items safely; thank with both hands.
Serve other elders in order of seniority.
Close: Couple thanks everyone; helpers clear cups.

Note: Customs vary by region and family. Follow your family’s preferred order and wording.

Tea choices

Red/black tea for auspicious color and aroma
Longan/jujube sweet tea in some traditions

Best ceremony sets

Need a practice run? Review the Gongfu Cha steps and browse all Chinese tea sets.

Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony Etiquette

The Chinese wedding tea ceremony is a cherished tradition that symbolizes respect, unity, and the merging of two families. Observing proper etiquette during the tea ceremony is essential to honor its significance and ensure a meaningful experience for all participants.

Here are key aspects of wedding tea ceremony etiquette in Chinese tradition:

Timing and Preparation

The tea ceremony typically occurs on the wedding day, either before or after the main ceremony, depending on the family’s traditions.
The bride and groom should wear traditional attire or formal clothing that reflects the occasion’s importance.
Tea utensils, including a beautiful tea set and auspicious ingredients like red dates or lotus seeds, should be prepared in advance. Bring some pairs of red chopsticks for guests and extended family members to use for small bites.

Offering Tea

The bride and groom kneel or bow to serve tea to the groom's parents and bride's parents, signifying respect and gratitude. In some traditions, standing may also be acceptable.
Tea is served to the groom's parents and groom's family first, followed by the bride’s family, symbolizing the bride’s integration into her new family.
The order of serving is significant, usually starting with the eldest family members (e.g., grandparents) and moving to younger relatives.

Receiving Blessings and Gifts

After serving tea, the family members or elders often offer blessings to the couple, wishing them happiness, prosperity, and harmony in their marriage.
Red envelopes ("hongbao") containing money or jewelry are commonly given as gifts, symbolizing good fortune and support for the couple’s new life together.

Guest Behavior

Guests like a family member attending the ceremony should dress appropriately and remain respectful throughout the ritual.
Elders or family members receiving tea should accept the cup with both hands as a sign of gratitude. They may also share kind words or advice to the couple during the exchange.

Tea Drinking and Gestures

The tea served often includes symbolic ingredients, such as red dates and longans, which represent sweetness and fertility.
Drinking the tea signifies acceptance of the gesture and acknowledgment of the couple’s respect.

Please note that wedding tea ceremony practices and etiquette may vary depending on regional customs, family traditions, and cultural influences.

It’s always advisable to consult with family elders or wedding planners familiar with specific regional practices to ensure the ceremonies align with your family's expectations.

FAQs about the Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony

How much money do you give for a wedding tea ceremony?

The amount of money given during a Chinese tea ceremony typically depends on the family’s Chinese wedding tradition.

For weddings, the bride's family and groom's family usually present red envelopes ("hongbao") containing money to the bride and groom after the tea is served. The amount can vary greatly depending on the region and the family's status. Gold jewelry is often given to the bride as a gift.

There is no set rule, but the gesture is symbolic of good luck, blessings, and support for the couple's future. Generally, the amount given should be an amount considered auspicious, often using even numbers as they are believed to represent balance and harmony.

What is the purpose of a wedding tea ceremony?

The purpose of the Chinese tea ceremony goes beyond simply serving and drinking tea—it is about honoring tradition, fostering respect, and celebrating significant moments. In the context of a wedding, the ceremony symbolizes the union of two families, with the bride and groom demonstrating respect to their elders.

It also represents wishes for the couple’s prosperity, fertility, and happiness. The tea ceremony emphasizes values such as respect, gratitude, and harmony, while the act of sharing tea promotes unity and community.

What do parents give during a wedding tea ceremony?

During the Chinese wedding tea ceremony, parents often offer their blessings to the couple after the tea is served. This may include verbal well-wishes for the couple's happiness and prosperity. In addition to blessings, parents typically present red envelopes ("hongbao") containing money or jewelry to the bride and groom.

These gifts are symbols of good fortune, wealth, and support for the couple’s new life together. In some cases, parents might also offer other meaningful gifts, such as heirlooms or tokens of familial significance.