Celebrate your wedding with a Chinese New Year theme

With Chinese New Year on February 8th, it seems like the perfect opportunity to look at oriental traditions and styles, and how these might be incorporated into your wedding. So, if you’re looking to be different, here are a few of our favourite wedding ideas, inspired by the Chinese New Year.

1. Lanterns

We’re always looking for fabulous lighting options, and lanterns are the perfect wedding décor accessory. If your ceilings are high, hang them in abundance, giving interest to your room from up above. While red is a colour generally associated with Chinese New Year, there’s nothing to stop you adopting your own colour scheme.
 

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2. Parasols

Pretty parasols are often included in Chinese décor. Once again, they can hang from the ceiling, looking rather wonderful over your tables.
 

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Alternatively, paper cocktail parasols make great place cards, perhaps even including a chocolate favour.
 

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3. Flowers

When it comes to your table flowers, get creative with vessels. We love these centrepieces, made using Chinese take away boxes!
 

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Pinks and reds work well together in the oriental theme. For a simple way to add a splash of the orient, use Chinese fabric as a table runner on which to set your flower arrangements.
 

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4. Favours, fortunes and fans

The Chinese theme opens up all kinds of wonderful ideas for favours. Chopsticks make a lovely keepsake, especially when engraved with your names and wedding date.
 

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They’re also perfect if you’re planning on serving a delicious Chinese banquet.
 

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For warmer days, give each guest a pretty fan. They look wonderful presented on chairs, or as place decorations.
 

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Cookies in the shape of fans are ideal for favours and can be customized to suit your colour scheme.
 

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Chinese fortune cookies make for a a fun wedding favour, particularly if you take the time to create more personalised ‘fortunes’ for each of your guests. Present in large jars on each table, or give each guest a small bag to take home.
 

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Create your own traditional Chinese wishing tree, inviting guests to hang wishes from the branches of a decorative tree. As an alternative to a guest book, you could ask them instead to write a kind message.
 

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5. Your wedding breakfast

A Chinese banquet is the obvious choice for an oriental themed wedding. Offer a multitude of tasty treats.
 

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In the evening, street food seems like the perfect choice. It’s fun, theatrical and delicious!
 

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Miniature take away boxes with chopsticks are great for evening snacks.
 

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And finally… don’t forget the cake.

A dramatic red and gold creation is sure to stand out from the crowd.
 

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While delicate pink sugar orchids adorn this oriental cake for a summer wedding.

 

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