When Brian, a 28-year-old from California, married Fan Jiachen in a small U.S. ceremony last year, he promised her one thing: \"Your dream wedding in China will happen.\" Now, he’s navigating red lanterns, dragon motifs, and tea ceremonies to make it a reality.
From California to China: The Journey
The couple’s story went viral on Douyin (China’s TikTok) after Jiachen shared their plan to host a traditional Chinese wedding in her hometown. Brian, who’s learning Mandarin via Duolingo between Zoom meetings, admits: \"I thought I knew weddings—until I saw the 12-step ritual list.\"
Culture Shock or Heartwarming Challenge?
Highlights from Brian’s prep:
- Mastering the \"kowtow\" to elders (spoiler: his knees are sore).
- Choosing silk qun kwa outfits that blend modern and traditional designs.
- Memorizing Mandarin phrases to charm Jiachen’s grandparents.
Why This Matters
As cross-cultural marriages rise in Asia, their journey reflects how Gen Z is redefining traditions—one viral moment at a time. \"It’s not just our wedding,\" Jiachen says. \"It’s a bridge between our worlds.\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com