Guo Da Li (Hakka and Cantonese)
Gifts for the Groom to bring over
- 1 angbao with betrothal gift money 聘金 (Typically an amount with 8)
- 2 pairs of double happiness candles龙凤烛 (2 dragon and 2 phoenix)
- Roast pork (Gift for mother-in-law)
- Hard liquor or red/ white wine (Gift for father-in-law)
- Traditional wedding cakes (For bride’s family to distribute to relatives)
- 8-12 oranges (Symbolises good luck)
- 12-16 apples (Symbolises peace)
- Seafood (Sea cucumber, abalone, scallop, shark fin, cuttlefish, dried prawn, dried oyster, dried mushroom, dried fish maw)
- Black Moss, Fa Cai 发菜 (To strike rich)
- 1 Gift Box 礼金盒 containing
- Jewellery (For the bride)
- *Cantonese only* Gold Dragon and Phoenix Bangle 龙凤镯
- Dried Longan 龙眼 (Bless with a dragon boy) 早生贵子
- Red date 鸿运当头 (To have good fortune)
- Lily bulbs 百年好合 (A harmonious union)
- Walnut/ peanut 和和气气 ( To have harmony)
- Lotus seeds 连连生子 (To have many children)
- Dried tangerine 大吉大利 (To have great luck)
- Pine tree leaf 长寿 (If bride’s family has grandparents. Symbolized longevity and health, health and vitality for couple),
- Dried melon slice 甜甜蜜蜜 (Sweet life together)
- A pair of coconuts 有爷有子 (Homophone for Grandfather and Child. To have a family with multi-generation)
- Double happiness stickers
- Red banner to hang over door
- *Hakka only* Suan pan zi 算盘子
Gifts for the Bride’s family to return
- Gold ring, or watch, or cufflinks, or belt, or wallet with angbao (For the groom)
- 2 bottles of orange juice or syrup (For good luck)
- Portion of the gift received from groom (Usually half will be returned)
- Fatt Koh 发糕 (Symbolize prosperity)
- *Cantonese only* Pants or suit 福 (For the groom to have lifelong good fortune)
Dowry from Bride’s family (Groom to bring the items back to the bridal chamber)
- Furniture such as bed, mattress or dressing table
- 1 Sewing machine/Sewing kit (To be bound together)
- 1 Ruler 子孙尺 (To have many children and grandchildren)
- Clothing and accessories for the Bride (To always have things to wear)
- Bag/ Purse with angbao inserted
- New clothes stuffed with longan
- New shoes for the bride
- Essentials 子孙三宝 (To symbolise fertility)
- Bath Basin
- Wash basin
- Spittoon
- Mug
- Towel
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Linen (Pillow covers and bed sheet)
- Tea set (For tea ceremony at groom’s side)
- Bowl set
- 2 pairs of chopsticks 早生贵子 (To have offspring soon)
- 1 pair of Bedside Lamp 添丁发财 (Symbolises fertility and wealth)
- 1 red umbrella (To be left in bride’s home for use on wedding day)
- Da Yuan Xiao Yuan 大缘小缘 (For setting up matrimonial bed 安床. Place some at 4 corners of the bed and in the bedroom’s cupboards and drawers)
- Jewellery (optional)
*Content provided by House of Etiquette and compiled by www.topphotography.com.sg
