Chinese Wedding Dowry List Betrothal 过大礼/纳彩Up to a month and at least three days before the wedding day, the groom and a friend or a matchmaker will deliver the betrothal gifts on the auspicious date chosen. Western and chinese wedding cakes and peanut candies, together with two bottles of brandy, at least six tins of canned pork legs and even number of oranges are included in the wedding gift baskets. Two pairs of dragon and phoenix candles 龙凤烛are also included. Also included is gold jewellery from the groom's parents to the bride, such as the Cantonese Dragon and phoenix bangle 龙凤琢 or the teochew's four items of gold四点金. Some include the bride's price with the betrothal gifts, whereas some will only present it when the groom fetches the bride. In the return gifts, the 2 bottles of brandy will be replaced with 2 bottles of orange syrup. An even numbered portion of all the other gifts are returned to the groom's family together with the 2 phoenix candles. The bride's side will light the 2 dragon candles and the groom's side the phoenix candles on the morning of the wedding day.

Delivery of the bride's dowry 送嫁妆The bride's parents may include the bride's dowry with the return gifts on the day of betrothal or deliver the dowry a few days before the wedding. The chinese dowry typically include - beddings such as pillows, bolsters, comforter set, blankets, bed sheets, etc., all tied with red ribbons;- new clothes in a suitcase for the bride (in the past, wardrobes or wooden wedding chests are used.);- tea set for the wedding tea ceremony;- baby bathtub, potty, face washbasin, tumblers, toothpaste and toothbrushes, mirror, comb;- two pairs of red wooden clogs wedding slippers or bedroom slippers;- sewing basket with even numbered rolls of colourful thread, needles, pincushion, scissors, and sewing wax with auspicious words on it;- gold jewellery given by bride's parents.

Most important of all, my future Brother in law gave me Ang Bao!! With money inside hehehe.

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