In a traditional Chinese wedding, red is especially associated with the bride’s dress and good fortune.
Red has long been linked in Chinese culture with happiness, celebration, vitality, and prosperity. Brides may wear red garments such as a qipao or a two-piece qun kwa, although many modern weddings also include a white Western-style gown.
The qun kwa, also called a cheongsam-style wedding dress in some English descriptions, is often richly embroidered with auspicious imagery. Dragons and phoenixes are traditional symbols of the groom and bride, while gold thread reinforces associations with wealth and prosperity.
Red is a cultural color preference, not an unchanging requirement. Contemporary Chinese weddings may combine several outfits and influences, and regional practices differ. The tea ceremony is another major Chinese wedding custom, but its ritual purpose is separate from wedding clothing.