Asian-themed weddings are on the rise, and at first this might come as a surprise. After all, nothing could seem further from the Laura Ashley vision we get when thinking of a wedding.
And in fact, that's one of the forces behind the rising popularity of the Asian-themed wedding: how it turns things upside-down. In fact, in a Chinese-style wedding, white is bad (it's the color of death) and red and black are good (they're the colors of luck and prosperity).
You might wonder whether brides that plan Asian-themed weddings are Asian (or marrying someone who is). The answer is, sometimes. Surprisingly often, they aren't, and the choice is purely aesthetic.
Today's trends break down into two main types of Asian-themed weddings: the Japanese or "Zen" style, which values simplicity and nature, and the more riotous Chinese style, which bristles with bright colors and shiny fabrics.
Although either choice may surprise some older guests, the bride may find her personal values deeply expressed in the Asian-themed wedding. After all, the usual wedding is a certain kind of pageant: the couple pretends to be royalty for a day, and lavishly entertain a large party - seemingly without a care, though they rack up huge debt to do so.
Brides drawn to the Zen-style ceremony often want to avoid the "royalty pageant" and simplify the ceremony (ironically, this can result in greater elegance for the price tag). This type of bride might read "voluntary simplicity" books, care about the environment, enjoy an uncluttered house or apartment with a handful of Japanese accents (Shoji lanterns and screens, for example) and find herself attracted to natural materials. She may feel freed by a simpler wedding gown, and carry an unfussy bouquet of calla lilies. Her centerpieces might be lanterns surrounded by black and white stones. For favors, she might give out fortune cookies placed in take-out boxes and topped off with chopsticks.
Other brides find aspects of tradition stifling, so they mix up their ceremony with Chinese-style zest. This bride might dress her bridesmaids in glowing red (or slinky black!) Cheongsams, dresses with high collars and slit sides. She'll hand them parasols instead of nosegays, and pass out chopsticks for their hair. Her own gown might be of gorgeous brocade in red, orange or gold. Perhaps she'll wrap up the ceremony with a butterfly release and hand out lucky bamboo stalks as wedding favors. This bride doesn't mind charting her own course in social affairs, and she loves the Chinese devotion to parents and children.
In either case, the Asian-themed wedding is a great way to tie your ceremony to your personal values. Perhaps the thought of such a wedding crossed your mind, but you thought you had to be Asian? The fact is, Asian traditions and trends have been shaping Americans deeply since the 1960s. Maybe it's time to ask yourself this: which type of Asian-themed bride are you?
About The Author
Blake Kritzberg is the proprietor of http://www.favorideas.com. Visit the site for easy, elegant, unusual, and affordable wedding favors, weekly "Bridezilla" cartoon, and free wedding screensaver.
Learn more about Asian Theme Weddings now at:
http://www.favorideas.com/wedding-favor-asi
an.htm
Games for a wedding shower are the best ways to... Read More
Looking for beach theme wedding cake ideas?When it comes to... Read More
When it comes to choosing your wedding decorations, you must... Read More
Mens diamond rings are becoming more and more popular with... Read More
Choosing who should walk down the aisle with you is... Read More
Marriage is a wonderful thing, but planning the wedding is... Read More
An ideal combination. A good career, a great husband and... Read More
The most important day of your life is drawing near... Read More
If you're looking to the internet for help with your... Read More
There are many things to remember in preparation for your... Read More
In the beginning of a relationship, love seems to have... Read More
Does it seem like the phrases "ecology" and "wedding" could... Read More
It's a fact, however odd it seems, that some brides... Read More
Monograms are a huge trend in weddings, to the point... Read More
This is intended as a guide to help you plan... Read More
THE sunshine had come out to ensure the wedding of... Read More
Here comes the bride! Walking through the alley confidence holding... Read More
For a day you'll never forget on that special occasion,... Read More
One of the most important steps in planning your wedding,... Read More
One of the biggest on-going problems for couples is how... Read More
"Presently, 40% of all first marriages in this country end... Read More
In Las Vegas, once you get your marriage license you... Read More
Do you remember when there were no children in your... Read More
What should you "walk down the aisle" to? Should you... Read More
He's popped the question. You've chosen a date. And now,... Read More
Wedding shower favors are a way to extend gratitude from... Read More
A wedding is one of life's major rites of passage.... Read More
Cookies as wedding favors, create an unique twist on the... Read More
If you've been to one wedding, you've seen it all.... Read More
Let's face it retirement is a time of great transition... Read More
Most girls know by the age of 12 what kind... Read More
The exact origin of the wedding ring is uncertain and... Read More
Tahiti honeymoon resorts are the best places you could think... Read More
Overwhelmed is a common feeling a bride-to-be experiences as she... Read More
My husband Bill and I have just had our 37th-wedding... Read More
He ? or she ? asked, and you answered in... Read More
The wedding date and time has been set, the location... Read More
Looking for beach theme wedding cake ideas?When it comes to... Read More
Every woman dreams of her own wedding. May it be... Read More
In 2004' Rockland Maine celebrated its 150th anniversary, yet very... Read More
Somewhere when you least expected, you find the person who... Read More
Between paying for the wedding and setting up a new... Read More
Wedding dresses are literally the icing on the cake on... Read More
As couples begin thinking about their wedding, they are often... Read More
In a fast-paced world of wedding planning, stress levels are... Read More
So your not one of those fabulous actresses or models... Read More
Have you ever heard the expression, "The Urge to Merge"?It... Read More
"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of... Read More
Wedding receptions are expensive affairs and can set you back... Read More
Your lovely fiancée has chosen her 'maids, and now you're... Read More
When I was the owner of a major wedding facility,... Read More
It used to be that if you wanted to buy... Read More
In times gone by it wasn't uncommon for young couples... Read More
The elegant and sophisticated look of glittering, gleaming gold. There's... Read More
While signing a prenuptial agreement can be one of the... Read More
Hi If you are getting married or have a Bar... Read More
In the beginning of a relationship, love seems to have... Read More
I am a woman, 42, who three years ago married... Read More
After choosing the design for your wedding invitations you can... Read More
When you're married, the boundaries between yourself and your spouse... Read More
Many wives cheat on their husbands. This could be due... Read More
Games for a wedding shower are the best ways to... Read More
Wish to make that one day in your life really... Read More
In my opinion, these things matter...1. Valuing commitment over instant... Read More
Just because you don't have a lot of money doesn't... Read More
Would you like to have a stronger, healthier, more enjoyable... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |