Every culture has its unique wedding rituals and traditions. Some of them are in-depth and sacred; others are easygoing and fun. In regards to Chinese culture, one vital fun tradition that people do on their wedding day is “door games.”
Chinese culture sees the door as a sign of prosperity and good luck, and the door games as a means to bring blessings and good luck to the newly wedded couple.
The groom and his groomsmen often play these door games. It has one rule: passing a series of tests set by the bridesmaids before they can enter the bride’s room or see the bride.
Although there are cases where the games can be different, it depends on the family and region. Despite the games’ possible differences, they share some common themes that run through them. They often involve endurance tests, puzzles, and physical challenges, aiming to prove the groom’s competence as a husband.
These door games can sometimes be tricky, but they make the day even more unforgettable by creating a bond between the couples. It also brings laughter to every guest present.
So are you trying to keep the culture alive on your wedding day? Or Are you having issues with what door games to play? Then worry no more. This post explores some of the most fun Chinese wedding door game ideas you can play on your big day! Keep reading
The Bargaining Game: No Money, No Honey
This game is the oldest and most famous Chinese door game played at weddings. The game is sketched to display the groom’s loyalty to his bride by doing whatever it takes to get her.
Concerning the game’s design, the bridesmaids will lock the bride in her room until they are satisfied with the number of red envelopes the groom presents.
The red envelope, also known as Lai in Cantonese, ang pow in Hokkien, and Hongbao in Mandarin, is a money gift placed inside an ornate red pocket paper. The color signifies happiness, good luck, and energy in Chinese culture.
The amount of money to be inserted in the red envelope is determined by the bridesmaids. Though the amount may vary, sometimes it’s enormous, and other times it could end up with lucky numbers in Chinese culture.
Eight, the luckiest number in Chinese culture, is generally considered fortunate, while nine goes with longevity. So if the red envelopes come bearing the number HK$888 or HK$999, the bridesmaids will see it as a fair amount.
However, the groom and groomsmen get to bargain down to the least amount possible. Sometimes the groom and his men try to play smart and sneak into the bride’s room without presenting the red envelopes, but if caught, they are punished or paid more money.
Generally, this game is a fun way to include raillery and negotiation into the wedding activities.
The Four Flavors of Life
This game is another fun-filled Chinese wedding door game.
It’s no new that marriage is a part of life that has its difficult times and passes through all the flavors of life; sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy.
The flavors listed above are “the four flavors of life,” which is a belief in Chinese culture and signifies what the couple promises to help each other through for the rest of their lives.
In this game, bridesmaids prepare these four dishes to test the groom’s ability to handle every situation he’ll encounter in marriage. The only rule is that he and his groomsmen must eat or drink strong versions of each flavor while blindfolded.
Next, the bridesmaids will present each food or drink that reps each of these flavors. For example;
- They can have candies or syrups for the sweet flavor.
- They can also serve Guizhou sour soup fish or lemon juice to rep sour flavor.
- Chinese medical foods will be perfect for the bitter flavor.
- The bridesmaids can serve human steamed fish heads with diced hot peppers or chillies to rep spicy flavor.
The bridesmaids can also decide to mix different things and create weird flavors. But ensure that each person gets a taste of each food flavor.
Since they are blindfolded, which makes it more fun, they have no idea what they are about to taste. As a result, you’ll get to see their funny expressions.
You can let a photographer capture each expression to make it an unforgettable moment.
Wax it Off: No Pain, No Gain
A groom who claims to love his bride should be able to endure anything for her, don’t you think so? This next game tests the groom’s enduring powers or pain tolerance.
In general, there is a lot of pain women tend to go through, from relationships down to the physical pain of childbearing. To make the groom feel a little bit of this pain is the primary goal of this game.
Here, the bridesmaids prepare many challenges, ranging from puzzles to crazy dares. They also organize a few waxing strips and a hat containing written folded papers of different body parts before the groom and his men arrive.
Now, for any challenges the groom and his men fail to succeed, they get waxed as punishment. They will be given a hat of folded papers to pick. Whichever body part is written on the folded paper they choose, it will get waxed.
This type of punishment creates more suspense and excitement in the game. However, the more the groom endures the waxing, the higher his chance of winning and getting his bride.
It is without doubt that this is a fun game to play on wedding days. It is also a remarkable way the groom shows his bride how far he’s willing to go for her.
Pass the Seaweed
This game is one of the most famous wedding door games in Hong Kong. It is a simple game, but it brings about funny moments during the wedding ceremony, which makes the wedding photography comical.
The Pass the Seaweed game has two objectives:
- To prove the bonding between the groom and his men.
- To see how many times the guys can pass the seaweed without dropping it at a specific time.
The door game involves the guys in a straight line, with red lipstick on, passing the seaweed to each other using only their mouths.
The groom passes the seaweed to his best man, who later passes it to the groomsman next to him. This process continues till it gets to the last groomsman. Note that for each round, the smaller the size of the seaweed. The groom wins when every size of seaweed gets to the previous groomsman on the line.
However, if, on any account, they do drop it, the bridesmaids will begin the game all over. They can also decide to punish the groom and his men.
In all, the Pass the Seaweed Chinese door game is an entertaining game for weddings and a great way for everyone to have a good time.
Questions and Answers (Q+A) Game
This is a fun and exciting Chinese wedding door game. It’s simple but effective.
To play the game, the bridesmaids prepare a list of questions about the bride they intend to ask the groom. However, they must review the questions with the bride to see if they agree. The aim is to avoid disclosing private info.
It is advisable to center the questions on memories and favorites the groom will be too abashed to forget. The bridesmaids can ask questions such as the date of their first dinner and the dress color they wore to that date. They can also ask about the bride’s favorite color and the last word she said to him.
To make it more fun and memorable, the bridesmaids can make a video recording as the groom fidgets while trying to recall the answers to the questions. If he gives all the correct answers, he can pass and get his bride.
However, if he fails or provides the wrong answer, there’s a penalty. The penalty can be taking a cup of vinegar or doing ten reps of push-ups.
Finally, remember this game comes with endless penalty options. It also leads to some romantic and creative answers.
The Declaration Of Love
The last game on the list is the Declaration of Love Chinese door game. This is the perfect door game to play toward the end of the challenges. Here, the bride is still safely locked in her bedroom. The bridesmaids will ask the groom to proclaim his love for the bride, and there are several ways to do so.
The groom could proclaim his love by making a speech, reciting a poem, or singing a song and doing them all on the spot. The speech can be romantic, the poem can have weird rhymes, and the music can be cheesy. All these forms of declaration can make the entire room to be filled with laughter.
In addition, it will bring the entire series of games to a lovely end as the groom declares his undying love for his bride.
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FAQs
Here are some questions most people ask.
What Are the 4 Flavours of Marriage?
Marriage comes with its challenges, and it goes through all flavors of life. More specifically, sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy.
Should You Have Games at a Wedding Reception?
Yes, you should. Games ensure that guests will have the opportunity to mix it up. That way, you and your new partner can ensure that everyone has the chance to entertain themselves, so you can relax and have fun too.
What Is the Chinese Door Game Tradition?
Chinese door games are a tradition where the bridesmaids challenge the groom and his men. If they pass the challenges, the bridesmaids open the door for him to meet or take his bride. Although, it is seen as part of the fun rather than an actual test.
Final Thoughts on Chinese Wedding Door Game Ideas
Chinese wedding door games are a lighthearted and exciting addition to wedding festivities. Not only is it fun, but it also brings out the love family and friends have for the couple.
Also, it gives you unforgettable moments and reminds you to feel proud to be part of the rich Chinese culture, given how old the door games are.
With everything discussed above, you have been provided with a range of Chinese wedding door games you can choose from to add to your wedding activities. By doing so, you’ll enjoy a lively and remarkable wedding.
