The Chinese tea ceremony

The couple serves both sides of the family — usually the groom's family first, as the visiting family in traditional practice. Modern couples sometimes reverse this or alternate.

Within each family, elders are served in strict order of seniority:

1. Paternal grandparents, if living.
2. Maternal grandparents.
3. Parents — father first, then mother, in traditional practice.
4. Uncles and aunts — usually older to younger, paternal side then maternal.
5. Older siblings and cousins, only if they are significantly older than the couple.

The order is culturally important. Skipping or reversing the sequence causes hurt feelings.

1. The couple kneels or stands before the elder. In traditional practice they kneel. Modern practice often has them standing or bowing.
2. The bride pours tea into a small ceremonial cup.
3. The couple offers the cup with both hands, often with a specific address such as "Grandmother, please have tea."
4. The elder receives the cup with both hands and drinks.
5. The elder gives a red envelope, often gold jewelry, and a spoken blessing.
6. The couple accepts the gift with both hands and bows.
7. The next elder is served.

• The teais typically a specific auspicious blend — often with lotus seeds ("many sons") and red dates ("early sons"), or a symbolic mixed tea. The composition varies by region. Cantonese families may include lotus seed soup. Mandarin, Taiwanese, Fujianese, and Hakka families use different blends and phrases.
• The cups are small ceremonial cups — porcelain, often red and gold, sometimes part of a set given by the family.
• The pot is a matching set.

Some families use heirloom sets passed through generations. Photograph these carefully. They matter.

• The bride wears a red qipao (mainland and Taiwan) or cheongsam (Hong Kong), often embroidered with dragon and phoenix motifs.
• The groom wears either a matching red traditional outfit or a Western suit.
• Elders often wear traditional or semi-traditional attire.

Setup

• Confirm positions before the ceremony. Small rooms mean tight photographer positions.
• Two shooters are strongly recommended — one for the couple, one for the elders and their reactions.
• A long lens (85–135mm) for reactions from across the room.
• A wide lens (35mm) for full-room context.

Key shots, per serving

• The couple approaching.
• Pouring the tea.
• The offering — hands, cup, both parties.
• The elder drinking.
• The red envelope being given.
• The couple accepting.
• The couple's bow.
• The elder's expression during the blessing.

Overall

• A wide shot of the whole family gathered at the beginning.
• Detail of the tea set, the cups, and the red envelopes.
• Detail of the bride's qipao — embroidery, jewelry, hairpieces.
• The couple in traditional attire — full body and portrait.