By Alan Paul Trundley

In PRC marriage is seen as a joining of families, such as it was in the past in western countries.

In many countries there are three components to a wedding:the legal, a ceremony perhaps religious, and a “party.” This is essentially true in PRC. The legal element can only be completed by the officials in the offices of the Civil Affairs Bureau. Many couples marry officially and then proceed to the ceremony or party the next weekend, or even later.

China has full religious tolerance so any couples wanting a religious ceremony can have one of their choosing. Others sometimes choose a non-religious traditional style ceremony quite likely related to the region or ethnic group they are from.Given the size of China and its range of ethnic groups, it is easily understood that there is much variety throughout the country.

The third element is the“party,” what in the English tradition is known as a“reception,” though the word“banquet” is perhaps the best in the Chinese context, where friends and relatives are entertained. Again similar to the west, there are “obligations” and the guests will often be friends of the parents. As in most countries there is special food and usually alcoholic drink too. The form of this varies often according to finances. Some receptions are held in the street, but most will be in a restaurant, often lavish.

Generally, a foreigner will not feel at all out of place at the banquet as it is not so different from what they’re used to. Of course, the meal is in the Chinese way, with groups of about 10 guests around each table with a range of dishes being served over a period of an hour or so. The couple, perhaps with immediate family, will probably move from table to table toasting the guests.

China has special foods associated with weddings, again varying from region to region.There is an equivalent of the western wedding cake. Individual Dragon and Phoenix cakes,meaning Happiness Cakes, may be given to guests.

Usually, there will be speeches complimenting and praising the couple and the families, and offering good wishes for the future. There will not be a speech by a “best man” insulting and seeking to embarrass the groom as we are used to in the Anglo-American tradition!

在中国，婚姻往往被视为两个家庭的结合，这与过去西方的婚姻并无二致。

在许多国家，一场完整的婚礼少不了三个元素：法律认证、（宗教的）结婚仪式，以及“聚会”。在中国，这些程序也必不可少。法律认证的部分只能在民政局完成。许多新人都是先领证，然后在下周末，或者更晚些时候举办婚礼或者聚会。

中国对宗教信仰十分包容，因此新人可以选择是否举行带有宗教仪式感的婚礼，或者让这场仪式更有地区或民族特色。中国幅员辽阔，民族众多，婚礼形式也多种多样。

第三个元素是“聚会”，也就是英国传统中招待亲朋好友的“招待会”，尽管英文中“宴会”一词可能才是最符合中国实际的。与西方相似的是，参加这种喜宴也有一些“人情”的成分在，宾客们往往都是新人父母的好友。跟许多国家一样，喜宴上少不了某些特别的食物，而且通常还要喝点酒。至于餐饮的形式，则根据新人家庭的经济状况而定。有些招待会在街面上举办，但大多数都会选择餐厅酒店，常常办得很豪华。

总的来说，作为外国人，参加这样的喜宴丝毫不会感觉格格不入，因为这与他们以往参加的婚礼宴会没什么两样。当然，就餐的形式颇具中国特色，每十来个人围着一张桌子就坐，各式菜品一个小时左右陆续上齐。而新人也可能在直系家人的陪同下，挨桌挨席地去向宾客们敬酒。

喜宴上常有为婚礼特制的食物，当然，这在中国各地也是千差万别。跟西方的结婚蛋糕一样，中国人结婚时可能有“龙凤糕”，也就是“喜糕”，分发给来宾。……