Chau Luen Athletics is well known for being one of the best wedding lion dance performers in all of Vancouver, but did you know that we also perform for tea ceremonies?
Lion dances at tea ceremonies are less common than wedding lion dances, but they’re still as exciting, fun, and full of blessings as a performance on the big day.
Here’s a guide on why engaged couples are sometimes turning to lion dances during tea ceremonies and why we perform them. And as a bonus, booking a lion dance for a tea ceremony is just as easy as booking a normal wedding lion dance—just reach out to us and we’ll get back to you with all the details and pricing.
Why do people book tea ceremony lion dances?
Some people request performances at tea ceremonies because of things like:
lack of space at the reception venue,
date or time conflicts,
only one side of the family having Chinese/Asian roots,
issues with themed weddings making a lion dance seem out of place, and
destination weddings.
If it’s not feasible to fly us out to the Bahamas or if you feel it’s awkward to have two Chinese lions burst out in your Harry Potter wedding, we totally understand. Tea ceremonies provide an intimate event for your closest guests and the tradition behind it matches up perfectly with a time-honoured lion dance performance.
Whether you want it to take place at your event venue or even at a private ceremony in your own home, we’ve got you covered. Here are some photos from a tea ceremony performance that we did in a client’s backyard.
Even though the rain was coming down and we were asked to perform underneath tents and gazebos, we were still able to bring the newlyweds and their families a memorable performance. In this case, it took place after the tea ceremony itself, and before food was served to the guests.
What makes a lion dance for a tea ceremony so special?
Tea ceremony lion dances are more rare than wedding performances, but they’re not unheard of. Similar to weddings, it’s said that a lion dance brings the couple a long, loving marriage full of happiness and prosperity.
For instance, check out this photo:
The blessings on these scrolls are the same ones that are chosen for weddings. In this case, we had both an English and a Vietnamese scroll. Trăm Năm Hạnh Phúc translates to “100 years of happiness”, which is the same blessing as a common scroll we use, 百年好合.
For centuries, lion dances during weddings have been said to bring good luck to not only the couple, but the newly unified families of the bride and groom. The lions are said to chase away any evil spirits and bless everyone in attendance with good fortune in the coming years. Because tea ceremonies usually only involve the family of the bride and groom, it’s the perfect opportunity to share blessings with those that the couple are closest with.
And of course, there’s the wow factor. Very few people can say their tea ceremony had something as exciting and lavish as a lion dance, making it a truly unique experience.
Book your tea ceremony lion dance with Chau Luen Athletics
With decades of experience and excellent reviews on Google and Yelp, Chau Luen Athletics is your best option for booking a tea ceremony lion dance. With our talented performers and easy, no-pressure booking process, booking a lion dance will be a seamless experience from start to finish.
Tea ceremony lion dance FAQ
What is a tea ceremony?
A traditional Chinese tea ceremony is a wedding ritual where the bride and groom serve tea to their parents, grandparents, and older relatives. This symbolizes respect and the union of the two families. The bride and groom are usually presented with gifts, which could include red pockets, gold, or other jewellery.
What is the meaning of the lion dance at a tea ceremony?
Lion dances are said to bring good luck and good fortune to the bride and groom, chasing away evil spirits and bringing years of happiness as a newlywed couple. These are normally performed during weddings, but can also be performed at Chinese tea ceremonies, a common traditional component of a Chinese wedding.
Why do some people choose to have their lion dance during the tea ceremony?
Some reasons for having a tea ceremony lion dance instead of a wedding lion dance include constraints in terms of space at the wedding venue, date or time conflicts, themed weddings, or if only one half of the family is Chinese.
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