In a traditional Chinese wedding, the ceremony in which the couple serves tea to parents and elders is the Chinese tea ceremony.
The couple kneels or bows while presenting tea to parents, grandparents, and other senior relatives. The elders drink the tea and commonly offer congratulations, advice, jewelry, or red envelopes containing money. The exchange formally acknowledges the couple’s new family relationships and expresses respect for older generations.
The ceremony can take place at the bride’s and groom’s family homes or at the wedding venue. Its details differ among Chinese communities and regions. Some couples hold separate sessions for each family, while others incorporate the ritual into a larger modern wedding.
Although tea is central, the ceremony is not simply a beverage service. It is a structured act of filial respect and family recognition. Red envelopes may accompany it, but the envelopes themselves are not the name of the wedding ritual.