Chinese Wedding Banquet Planning: Tables, Courses, Timing

The banquet is the center of many Chinese weddings, and the table is the unit of planning. Guests are invited by table, hosts count in tens, and the menu is set in advance with the restaurant. The usual difficulties are the seating chart, since who sits where signals respect, and getting the timing right with a restaurant that may run two events a night. A clear plan makes this smooth.

How the banquet works

Chinese wedding banquets vary widely: families from Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, and Chinese American families, all have their own habits. Many couples hold a tea ceremony in the morning or afternoon with close family, a procession or door games in some traditions, and a banquet in the evening. The banquet usually includes the couple's entrance, a welcoming speech by the hosts, a series of courses, a toast table by table (often called "yum seng" in Cantonese tradition), and an exit.

Numbers matter. Many families prefer auspicious numbers, such as 8, and avoid 4, since the sound is similar to the word for death. Some choose a date based on the lunar calendar or the zodiac. Tables are numbered, though some families avoid the number 4 for the table number. These choices vary by family. Talk to the elders and ask what they expect.

A quick note on seating: the couple's parents and elders sit at the tables closest to the stage, with the highest respect, while friends, colleagues and younger relatives sit further back. See also Chinese tea ceremony seating for the morning event.

A banquet floor plan with tables of ten

The menu and the courses

A traditional banquet menu is built in courses. Many menus open with a cold platter, then soup, followed by seafood, poultry, a meat dish, vegetables and rice or noodles, and finish with dessert and fruit. Some dishes carry meanings: a whole fish for abundance, noodles for long life, sweet soup or lotus seed for fertility and harmony. A whole roasted pig or suckling pig is a classic in some Cantonese traditions. Menus vary a great deal by region and budget, so talk to the restaurant about what they offer and what your family expects.

Banquet menus are usually priced per table, often with a set number of courses. Ask whether the price includes drinks, tax, service charge and a corkage fee for wine you bring. Vegetarian, halal and allergy-friendly options should be arranged in advance, and many restaurants will make a special dish for a few guests.

Red envelopes and the guest book

Guests often give money in red envelopes (hongbao) to the couple. Plan a gift table at the entrance with a trusted friend or relative to record each envelope, since many families keep a list to reciprocate later. Provide a secure box and a plan for taking it home. Photos at the table and a guest book are also common.

Planning by table count

Rough numbers assume about 20 to 25 square feet per guest with tables, a stage and service aisles. Always follow the venue's capacity and confirm table sizes, since 72 inch rounds seat 10 more comfortably than 60 inch rounds. See round table sizes.

Planning the banquet in order

Etiquette and timing details

Plan a start time and stick to it. Many guests arrive late, and a cocktail hour of 45 to 60 minutes gives them time to settle. Do not seat enemies together; ask elders to help with sensitive pairings. Provide enough bilingual signs and a host who can speak the languages of your guests. Plan a toast for each table, which is time consuming, and ask your photographer to coordinate. Ask the venue about the end time and what happens to leftovers, since taking food home is a common practice and some venues have containers.

Plan the attire: many brides change into a second or third outfit, such as a red qipao or cheongsam, during the evening. Allow time and a private room for the change.

Chicago-area notes

Chicago has a long-established Chinatown and many Chinese restaurants and banquet halls in the city and suburbs, so there are many venue options. Popular dates are in autumn and spring, and many couples avoid the Lunar New Year season because venues are busy; see Lunar New Year banquet tables. Parking in the city can be hard, so ask about lots or valet. Winter banquets need a coat plan. If you use a hotel ballroom or a rented hall, confirm outside catering rules and whether the hall provides 10 top rounds. Check with your own families for traditions that may affect the date or the menu.

Free download: Wedding Planning Kit

The Wedding Planning Kit includes a timeline, a budget and a guest list tracker that you can organize by table. It is helpful for a banquet where each table is a unit, and for coordinating two families with different expectations.

Get the free Wedding Planning Kit

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