Relationships and family are important parts of every culture. In China, as in the U.S., getting married is an important step in people's lives. It bonds not only two people, but also their two families. I will share specific marital ceremonial traditions while comparing and contrasting with those in the United States.
To get photos and information for this article, I visited a traditional wedding exhibit and interviewed two of my professors. I learned about the traditional dress, decorations and activities that are carried out by Chinese couples and their families.
Parents in China want their child's companion to possess certain virtues and resources, such as someone who comes from a good family, who will be a supportive partner and has financial means to have a family. Parents typically hope for the chance to be grandparents, so they encourage their kids to get married before they turn 30 to have enough time to raise a family. The younger generations of China doesn’t always share their parents' idea of marriage as a requirement in life. Some want to marry more for love rather than marry someone who will be useful for their family. Also, parents in China can be pushy about setting their children up. They do things like arrange blind dates or even advertise their child’s qualities and accomplishements online and in the marriage market.
