The wedding is an important ceremony in human life, through which a man and woman become a married couple. In the eyes of ancient Chinese people, it was a ceremony affirming the bond of love between man and woman, heralding a husband-wife relationship of mutual respect and forming a family unit for orderly human life. The bond between husband and wife coming from two clans with two different surnames also served to foster an intimate relationship between the two clans, and ensured the multiplication of family members and the continuation of future generations. In modern society, many changes have happened to the form and significance of the wedding ceremony.

The wedding ceremony establishes the relations between two families of two different surnames, so that they can offer worship for their ancestors and continue the process of raising offspring. Thus men of virtue value the wedding ceremony.

(The Book of Rites)

The bridegroom waits outside his home. When the bride arrives, the bridegroom bows to her and invites her to enter his home. The two enjoy the same food and drink wine with each half of the same gourd, indicating a combined body of two who respect and love each other.

(The Book of Rites)