What is a Dowry, Betrothal, Actual Day Traditional Package? What to buy as well?
- Thread starter poshberries
- Start date
poshberries
New member
Hi Rojak, you must always remember the bride hahs to follow the Groom's dialect group to buy the things for Guo Da Li, Dowry & Betrothal items. Bride's side do not have any say in this.
So for example if you (bride) is a Hokkien but your husband-to-be (groom) is a Teo Chew, you will have to follow his side and he will purchase the Teo Chew's necessities (Dowry set) for your wedding. His parents will buy you the "Teo Chew" Betrothal set etc. Hope this clears. Thanks!
geraldineyap
New member
OH! Poshberries! Your information really helps to clear things up a lot! I guess the females just sit and receive without having a say...
poshberries
New member
Hi Geraldine, the bride's side need to purchase items to "return" them the favour (Return of Betrothal Items) back to the groom's family. This is to show respect and bring happiness to both families of a goodwill marriage.
So let me put these simpler now to WHOM it may find my info useful:
Things need to be bought by the GROOM's family:
1) Betrothal Package (find the wedding shop venues in my other post)
2) A Combing Set (Not as required, unless you are a Cantonese or for a goodwill purpose)
3) Bed Setting Package ("An Chuang" process is required to ensure good & blissful marriage life with abundance of kids and this is usually done by the Groom's parents or the Fortune Woman)
4) 2 Essential Red Packets (Ang Baos):.
a) Pin Jin (Betrothal Token) - Bride's parents NEED to return a small portion of money back to the Groom's parents in return of favour & goodwill. The balance amount will be used by the Bride's parents to purchase the necessary items (dowry set, tea cups set, lamps, goodwill candies etc).
b) Li Ru Jin (Appreciation Token) - Bride's parents DO NOT Need to return a single dollar back to the Groom's family. This is a form of an appreciation to be presented as token to the Bride's parents for raising up a good & filial daughter and letting the Groom to have such a nice and lawful wife.
5) If the Groom's side is a Teochew, then his family will purchase the 4-pc Gold set by tradition for the Bride.
Things need to be bought by the BRIDE's family:
1) Dowry Package - include 2 Red Tradition Fans, Candies, etc (also find the wedding shop venues in my other post)
2) Bedding Set
3) Return of Betrothal Items (Items returned are from the Betrothal Package which the Groom's family has presented to the bride's family for a goodwill)
4) A Combing Set (Not as required, unless you are a Cantonese or for a goodwill purpose) - Bear in mind that if the Groom's parents want to have this hair combing (Shang Tou) procedure, the bride's parents must follow this tradition to have this done as well. And both families must comb the groom and the bride's hairdo at the same time at their own individual homes at the dawn on the Actual Day.
5) 2 Tea Cups Sets (1 set for the Bride's set and another set is for the Groom's side).
6) Lamp Sets (1 pair only - which stands for Double Happiness) - To be placed beside the lamp table on each left & right side of the bed.
7) Needle or Sewing Set (Depends - not as required or necessary)
Things need to be bought by BOTH BRIDE's & GROOM's families:
1) 2 New Pairs of Pyjamas (For individual use)
2) 2 New Pairs of Bedroom Shoes (For individual use)
Just my 2 cents' worth of info. Hope this helps and clear for some BTBs like me. I did some good researches by visiting the actual Wedding Shops personally for several times. You can try to visit them and I am sure they will explain the essential items to be purchased for your wedding preparations.
If there is anything that you guys want to add on, feel free to contribute more in this post! Thanks!!!
poshberries
New member
The thing is we also seemed to be distant to other relatives, therefore not much people can really guide us through the right procedures etc. Stress again..lolz!
