Navigating the Fun and Symbolism of Chinese Wedding Door Games

Hello, folks! As a seasoned wedding photographer, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of an array of cultural traditions, and Chinese Wedding Door Games definitely stand out as some of the most vibrant and joyful. Let me give you a sneak peek into what these intriguing rituals are all about. What are they? Why are they funny? Why you should consider having them at your wedding.

What are Wedding Door Games?

Wedding Door Games, or “Hing Dai” games, are a series of playful challenges traditionally set up by the bridesmaids for the groom and his groomsmen to prove the groom’s love for the bride. These games, though entertaining and high-spirited, are rooted in symbolism, and are a true spectacle for anyone present, especially for a wedding photographer like me!

The Heart Behind the Laughter: Purpose of Door Games

The fun-filled challenges may come across as light-hearted, but they carry a deeper significance. They symbolize the playful resistance of the bride’s family in giving her away and test the groom’s commitment to overcome any hurdles in his path to marry his bride. The laughter and camaraderie in these games make for some truly fantastic, candid shots.

The Game Begins: A Plethora of Challenges

Door Games can vary widely in nature and complexity, based on the whims and creativity of the bridesmaids. Some games can be quite sweet, like the groom proclaiming his love and intentions. Some can be quite challenging, like answering tricky questions about the bride, or even tasks that test the physical limits, like push-ups or serenading. As a photographer, these spontaneous and lively moments are pure gold.

Gifts, Red Packets, and Negotiations

Beyond the laughter and frolic, there’s also negotiation. Often, the groomsmen must present red packets (“hongbao”) filled with money as a symbolic token to “bribe” their way to the bride. The process of negotiation, the feigned protests, and the joy when the groom finally gets to see his bride are some of my favourite moments to capture.

Chinese weddings have many wonderful traditions that pay respect to elders and pay homage to bride and grooms parents, my wife is Chinese and I have had the benefit of feeling the warmth of these traditions. The chinese tea ceremony in particular is emotionally significant as well as historically so, tea plays a significant role in Chinese culture and photographing a chinese wedding, so to me as an outsider, the link there is an obvious one. Not so much with the brutality that is door games though…

In certain cultures it is traditional for the groom to arrive at the brides house and have to pass a series of tests in order to be deemed worthy of taking the brides hand in marriage. I’m sure once upon a time this was a leisurely affair with a few giggles before the groom was granted access to the house.

Be warned groomsmen, do not upset the bridesmaids in the build up to the wedding. See the full wedding story here.

As a Chinese wedding photographer, I thought I’d seen it all, but I felt compelled to write this post after bearing witness to the events that the following pictures depict. Do not cross these challenge setters, they may look like bridesmaids, but behind the twinkly eyes and flowing gowns lies the hearts of maniacal fiends just waiting to get you to do anything they want. This may be a post for bridesmaids more than anyone, you can get a sense of what kind of torture you can inflict all in the name of having a laugh. I hope all bridesmaids read this and implement it at every wedding they ever attend. It is always funny. Always. Not only that but it strengthens the bond between the bridal party as often friends have come in from distant parts of the country and may not know each other particularly well. After a few of these games, everyone will be best friends.

I’ve only ever encountered these games as part of Chinese wedding tradition, but I’m told other cultures embrace the games as well in various different guises. One would imagine that once upon a time the rules were fairly straightforward and the rules known up and down the lands. I have never been to a wedding however where any two games were the same, it does seem as if the gents really are at the will of the bridesmaids.

So what can you expect?

Eating things – things is deliberately ambiguous

You should be ready to eat anything. I’ve seen hundred year eggs, I’ve seen toothpaste, I’ve seen turtle jelly. The funniest part about the turtle jelly was that it was purchased by one of the girls in china, and even she, being a native Chinese speaker, couldn’t work out what was actually in it. It smelt horrible, but the rules are the rules, the boys wolfed it. What makes the eating part even worse in my eyes is that the door games happen in the morning. In the middle of the day, the stomach is settled and it’s quite easy to chow down on pretty much anything. At 7am? Not so much. Turtle jelly washed down with beer is a curious mix that provides hilarious pictures, if not a dicky tummy.

Physical exertion

running, jumping, press ups, start jumps, running in circles. You may be wearing a suit, but that doesn’t matter. You could be wearing a woollen suit in December, you could be wearing linen at a summer wedding, either way you’re going to sweat. Throw into the mix the fact that you may have already eaten something savage, having to do twenty star jumps afterwards is really going to test your mettle.

Embarrassment

the levels to which this can go, I really think it has no limit. Scroll down for a few example pictures from a recent wedding where the girls took it to new heights. Funny doesn’t even come close. These boys were absolute champions and contended with every challenge that they were confronted with. A true bonding experience where the groom could call on his boys to help him win his bride. What better way to have a laugh in the most ridiculous fashion than with all your mates right there with you, an entire well of stories to draw from no doubt.

Here are a few examples of tasks to get the creative juices flowing

Peanut butter on cling film

Coat a piece of cling film on both sides with peanut butter, hold it up and then have the boys lick it off. Simple, yet cunning

Blindfolded make up

Fairly self explanatory this one. Get onto pairs, one is blindfolded and puts makeup on the other person – make sure they don’t use their hands, otherwise they can feel where the facial features are and put it on far too accurately.

Oh, I forgot to mention. Each task is preceded by having to answer questions about the bride. I’ll let you in on a secret, the answer is always wrong. With a wrong answer often comes the need to drink a shot of something. Again, this is of the task masters choosing. Expect flavoured whiskies, gins, vinegar and anything else that will be sure to pick you up first thing in the morning.

Eat the hot-dog press-up

I feel that this image needs some explaining, even with the layering of the action it’s hard to know what’s going on.

The task – one chap lays on his back and inserts a hot dog into his mouth. Another chap, who has disrobed and already wearing ladies underwear, then has to commence with push-ups on top of his partner and take a bite out of the hot dog upon each descent. As you can see, with the last bite comes an interaction which looks like a full on snog, the girls were in raptures, to be honest so were the boys.

My job as a wedding photographer has allowed me access not only to the incredible individual stories within peoples lives, but also exposed me to different aspects of culture and tradition that I would otherwise have absolutely no access to. I love wedding photography, check out some more of my articles for more helpful info on all things wedding and wedding photography related.

Final Thoughts: Capturing Joy and Love through My Lens

Chinese Wedding Door Games are about more than just having a good laugh; they encapsulate the spirit of unity, camaraderie, and a shared journey of love. As a wedding photographer, capturing these playful exchanges, the spirit of togetherness, and the overflowing emotions is what makes my job endlessly rewarding. After all, every laugh, every cheer, and every shared glance between the bride and groom contribute to the love-filled tapestry of their special day.