How to Honor Your Chinese Heritage with a Modern Multicultural Wedding

To celebrate their new collection of Chinese tea ceremony outfits for both the bride and groom, as well as daily Qipao wear for parties and galas, we partnered with Jinza Oriental Couture to put together a guide to incorporating cultural attire into your multicultural wedding. Discover ways to incorporate Chinese traditions as well as styling tips, makeup trends, and wedding décor ideas to honor Chinese wedding traditions while embracing a contemporary aesthetic.

Bride & Groom Styling in Traditional Chinese Dress for Multicultural Weddings

Photo courtesy of Jinza Oriental Couture

Bride’s Attire: Cheongsam Dress

Brides desiring attire featuring a twist on tradition may choose to opt for a modern Qipao (or Cheongsam) with a sleek silhouette, sheer panels, or detachable trains for a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles. When deciding upon color for a modern Cheongsam or Chinese wedding dress, consider combining vibrant reds or golds (symbolizing luck and prosperity) with softer tones like blush, ivory, or pastel blue for a unique flair. Accessories such as hand-embroidered silk fans, jade hairpins, and phoenix crowns can also bring cultural elegance to a modern bridal look.

Photo courtesy of Jinza Oriental Couture

Groom’s Attire: Tang Suit

Pair a modern Tang suit (Tangzhuang) – or custom Ao Dai in Vietnamese culture – with fitted cuts, neutral tones (gray, navy, or beige), and subtle embroidery highlighting family zodiac signs or dragons for a meaningful detail to the couple. Incorporating accents that match the bride’s attire, such as complementary linings, silk pocket squares, or embroidery motifs, is great choice.

Photo by Ana Marina Sanz; Traditional Chinese Wedding Dress & Tang Suit by Jinza Oriental Couture

Couple Coordination Ideas for Chinese Traditional Dress

As with any modern wedding, making sure the bride and groom coordinate helps to create a curated, aesthetic feel for the entire wedding day. Consider using matching fabrics or embroidery, such as dragon and phoenix symbols, for both the bride's Chinese wedding dress and the groom's Tang suit in order to tie both outfits together seamlessly.

Another popular modern take on traditional wedding style is to consider dual looks! We see many couples who have multicultural weddings that choose to wear traditional attire and Chinese dress for special ceremonies like tea ceremonies or during certain cultural rituals, and then transition into modern formal wear for the reception.

Wedding Hair & Makeup Tips for a Traditional Chinese Wedding Day

Photo by Ana Marina Sanz; Traditional Chinese Wedding Dress & Tang Suit by Jinza Oriental Couture

Bridal Makeup Trends to Complement Cheongsam Dresses

For brides in bold red Qipao (or Hanbok in Korean culture), pair a polished red lip with defined brows and soft eyeliner for balance. For the rest of the face, opt for a fresh and radiant look – think dewy skin, soft peachy or rosy tones on the cheeks and lips if you're not doing a bold red lip, and neutral eye makeup with subtle shimmer. Add a modern touch with light contouring and highlights that enhance your natural features without overpowering the look.

Hair Styling for Women & Brides

Since Cheongsam dresses have high necklines, consider low buns with the addition of intricate hairpins featuring jade, gold, or pearl accessories inspired by cultural motifs like phoenixes or cherry blossoms. If you'd prefer to not have your hair tied back into a bun, we love soft waves or sleek ponytails for a contemporary yet elegant look. For brides wearing headpieces like phoenix crowns, keep this in mind and choose hairstyles that complement and support the structured accessory. We also suggest bringing it along to your hair-and-makeup trial!

Groom Styling for Multicultural Weddings

Since you'll likely have family members who are fairly traditional in attendance, keep your groom's styling clean and polished. Consider natural textured hairstyles with light product for hold, as well as a neat beard or clean-shaven face to complement traditional attire and modern Tang suits.

Multicultural Wedding Décor Ideas

Photo by Ana Marina Sanz; Traditional Chinese Wedding Dress & Tang Suit by Jinza Oriental Couture

Incorporating Traditional Cultural Symbolism in Wedding Décor

To complement the bride and groom's traditional Chinese wedding dress and Tang suit, respectively, couples can also incorporate key cultural symbols – like dragons, phoenixes, cranes, or lotus flowers –into décor elements. Consider adding cultural patterns or motifs to wedding invitations, modern signage and stationery, linens and table runners, displays and backdrops, and wedding cakes.

Using red, gold, or royal blue hues for décor accents will reflect prosperity, happiness, and unity. We also suggest combining traditional elements, like silk lanterns and hand-embroidered tablecloths, with minimalist, modern décor such as crisp white florals, clean lines, and sleek centerpieces showcasing a mix of peonies, lotuses, and cherry blossoms with orchids or roses for a cultural yet elegant look.

We also encourage couples to have some fun with their lighting! Use soft string lights, paper lanterns, or gold-accented chandeliers for a warm and inviting ambience that nods to cultural traditions. For a familial element, integrate family heirlooms or keepsakes – think embroidered fabrics or jewelry – into table displays or décor, and be sure to include multicultural experiences like tea ceremonies, dragon dances, or calligraphy stations to celebrate your heritage and entertain guests.

Photo by Ana Marina Sanz; Traditional Chinese Wedding Dress & Tang Suit by Jinza Oriental Couture

Multicultural weddings are a beautiful expression of unity and heritage. By blending traditional attire with modern designs, incorporating meaningful symbols throughout attire and décor, and balancing classic and contemporary styling, couples can create a celebration that feels both personal and timeless. Whether through hand-embroidered Qipao, modern Tang suits, elegant hair and radiant makeup, or thoughtfully curated décor, we want every detail of your big day to contribute towards honoring the past while celebrating a shared future.

To see more from Jinza Oriental Couture's latest collection, view photos of Cheongsam dresses, modern qipao, and other Chinese dress designs for brides and mothers, below. Click to shop your favorites and head to their website to see more!

Photos courtesy of Jinza Oriental Couture