过大礼 is the customary day where the groom delivers the betrothal gifts to the bride's family and a gift exchange takes place. The groom's family thanks their future in-laws for raising the bride and the bride's family formally pledges their daughter to the groom.
It's a practice that many modern couples (including G and I) don't quite understand but we do it out of tradition and respect for our parents. I've decided to see it as a fun and interesting thing to do for couples who are getting married. Ang mos don't get to do this okay!
So today was our 过大礼 day! Exactly 2 weeks before our wedding.
Here are the gifts or (嫁妆) that mummy prepared for G and his family! So many things. To make them look auspicious and presentable, she actually neatly wrapped them with pretty film paper with red prints. So sweet eh!
Basically, the 嫁妆comprises of:
Baby prosperity set (Potty/basin/baby bath tub) - To symbolize healthy offspring, good fortune & prosperity
Bedside lamps - For a blissful future with healthy offspring
One tea set - To serve tea to elderly on wedding day so as to represent gratitude and respect for them
Dining set -
Mug set -
5 Element Seeds - Represents good wishes for the couple to have good & happy life after
the marriage. The seeds symbolize prosperity and
abundance.
Sewing Kit (consisting of thread, needles, pin cushion, scissors, etc) to indicate a capable wife
Beddings (pillows, bolster, comforter and bedsheets) - For 按床 (i.e. Install the bridal bed)
A set of pyjamas, towels, home slippers and comb for 梳头 (i.e. Hair combing ceremony)
And here are the gifts that G brought over!
They include:
Bride's price (娉金) - To thank my parents for bringing me up =)
Two pairs of dragon and phoenix candles (龙凤蜡烛) - To signify that we are a perfect match!
Mandarin oranges (桔子) - Represents good fortune
2 bottles of red wine -
Canned pig trotters (猪脚罐) - To thank my mum for washing and cleaning me when I was young haha
As part of the tradition, we had to return some of gifts to 回礼.
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