Weddings are wonderful and happy unions that celebrate the love between two individuals, and what adds depth and richness to these joyous occasions are the cherished traditions that surround them. Among these cherished customs, Guo Da Li stands out as a time-honored Chinese wedding tradition with deep historical roots and profound significance.
Read on as we explore the captivating history and meaning behind Guo Da Li and discover a curated vendor that can help you embark on this meaningful journey.
History & Significance
Guo Da Li, which translates to "bridal gift delivery," is a revered Chinese wedding custom that dates back centuries. This tradition is deeply rooted in the belief that a successful union is not just the union of two individuals but the coming together of two families. Guo Da Li serves as an opportunity for the groom's family to demonstrate their respect, sincerity, and love for the bride's family.
The Guo Da Li ritual is a multifaceted process that symbolizes blessings, good fortune, and a harmonious future for the couple. It involves the exchange of gifts between the two families, with each item carrying its unique symbolic meaning. From tea leaves representing fertility and abundance to pairs of wooden ducks symbolizing love and loyalty, every element holds a special significance, weaving together a tapestry of blessings for the couple.
Planning Your Guo Da Li
Planning a Guo Da Li ceremony requires meticulous attention to detail and thoughtful preparation. To help guide and make this process seamless and stress-free, we introduce Kekhoon, one of our curated vendors who specializes in curated Guo Da Li packages.
When?
Ideally, the Guo Da Li preparations should begin three to six months before your wedding day. This allows ample time for selecting and ordering the necessary items, as well as customizing any requests such as selection of an auspicious date or specially curated pastries.
How?
Start by having a conversation with your future in-laws about their expectations and budget. Do they want you to have a heirloom jewelry as part of the Si Dian Jin? Are they the "chin cai" type so a basic Guo Da Li set is sufficient?
The Guo Da Li process then starts with the selection of essential items that will be gifted to the bride’s family. These items typically include the betrothal gifts (chosen based on the groom’s dialect), jewelry, clothing and other symbolic offerings. Kekhoon provides personalised consultations to understand your preferences and guide you through the entire process, ensuring a meaningful and authentic Guo Da Li experience.
Cost?
The basic Guo Da Li set from Kekhoon costs SGD$158.80. You can then choose to add on specialty items for your dialect group such as canned pork legs for Hokkiens, or si se bing for Cantonese/Hakkas.
A Kekhoon Experience
To shed light on this important wedding custom, we spoke to Lawrence See, who has been in the Guo Da Li business for over 10 years and comes from a family with more than 20 years of experience. He runs Kekhoon, a store that specializes in traditional Chinese wedding items, from Guo Da Li to dowry and hair combing sets, and shared his insights with us.
One of the most popular Guo Da Li items that Kekhoon sells are various dialects betrothal packages, bed setting packages, and dowry packages.
While the tradition of Guo Da Li has been around for centuries, we asked Lawrence how it has changed over the years. He shared that in the past, Guo Da Li was a grand ceremony, but in recent years, it has become more simplified. He also noticed that many young couples are now embracing this tradition, and they often come to consult and purchase from Kekhoon without their parents. Additionally, there is a trend towards modernization of gifts, such as trendy cakes instead of traditional pastries, and modern and miniature dowry packages.
Pro-tip! Lawrence advises placing orders early, preferably 3 to 6 months before the Guo Da Li date, as vendors may not be able to fulfill the orders during peak wedding season (typically May - June and September - December).
Kekhoon is also the only store in Singapore that offers delivery of the Guo Da Li package to their customers’ doorstep and to do on-site consultation for them.
For couples who are planning their Guo Da Li ceremony, Lawrence recommends going to shops that specialize in Guo Da Li products and offer free consultation. It is essential to avoid buying second-hand items from people who resell them on platforms like Carousell or Facebook, as the act of giving and receiving Guo Da Li gifts is considered a significant gesture of respect and goodwill between families. By presenting new, high-quality gifts, both families demonstrate their sincerity and willingness to invest in the marriage.
Pro-tip! Avoid buying second-hand Guo Da Li items, as the act of giving and receiving of Guo Da Li gifts is considered a significant gesture of respect and goodwill between families.
Auspicious Wedding Dates
In Chinese culture, the selection of an auspicious wedding date is of paramount importance. These dates are determined by Feng Shui masters using a Bazi Chart, which helps ensure a harmonious flow of events on the wedding day and sets the stage for a prosperous marriage. Choosing an auspicious wedding date is believed to bring good fortune, luck, and harmony to the couple as they embark on their journey together.
Si Dian Jin: Brand New or Passed Down?
Si Dian Jin, the four-piece gold jewellery set gifted by the groom's family to the bride, is a treasured tradition. While many Chinese families opt for new Si Dian Jin items, symbolizing a fresh start and new beginnings, others choose to include heirloom jewellery as part of the set. The decision whether to use brand new or passed down pieces ultimately rests with the family's personal beliefs and preferences, honoring the cherished legacy of ancestral adornments.
The older generation often preferred yellow gold for Si Dian Jin due to its value, however, modern contemporary designs of Si Dian Jin may include the use of white or rose gold and jade, allowing the bride to wear the pieces beyond the wedding day itself.
Pro-tip! Before starting your search, understanding what is important to your future in-laws is key. For example, their budget and if they have specific requirements on how many pieces they would like to gift within the budget, or whether the set of jewelry has to be a particular gold. These understandings go a long way to minimize conflict when shopping for Si Dian Jin.
Wearing Si Dian Jin:
Traditionally, the bride is expected to wear the Si Dian Jin set throughout the wedding day, symbolizing respect and gratitude towards the groom's family. While it has been customary for the bride to don the jewellery during the wedding day, modern variations have emerged. Some brides may choose to wear Si Dian Jin during tea ceremonies or select specific pieces to complement their gowns during the wedding lunch or dinner. This flexibility allows brides to honor tradition while infusing their own personal touch into the celebration.
The Symbolism of Dowry Items:
A significant aspect of Chinese weddings is the dowry, consisting of carefully chosen items that hold deep symbolic meaning. Each item represents blessings and well-wishes for the couple's future. For example, a sewing kit symbolizes a virtuous wife, while a baby bathtub (子孙桶) embodies the hope for a blessed union with children and grandchildren. These items are not easily replaceable, as their inclusion in the dowry carries profound cultural and familial significance. Replacing them with ang bao (red envelopes) would diminish the tradition's meaningful essence and may be seen as a lack of respect and sincerity towards the bride's family.
Pro-tip! Instead of opting for the full size dowry items, there are now modern miniature versions of the dowry set - allowing you to carry the same meaning in a smaller (and honestly, very cute!) package.
From auspicious wedding dates that set the stage for a harmonious marriage to Si Dian Jin and the dowry items, each aspect represents the blessings, respect, and cultural heritage that couples embrace on their special day. By understanding and embracing these traditions, couples can create a wedding ceremony that not only reflects their personal style but also pays homage to their roots, fostering a deeper appreciation for Chinese culture and family values.
Ultimately, Guo Da Li is a very personal experience to each family and their customs based on their heritage and dialect (Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka, Hainanese). The above serves as a guide and starting point to discuss with your fiance and families and come to a mutual agreement on the budget and any items that is a must, not a need or can be replaced with a family heirloom.