How to Plan a Chinese Tea Ceremony in the GTA | Espace Studio

The Chinese tea ceremony is one of the most meaningful moments in a wedding — and for many couples in the GTA, it’s the part of the day their parents and grandparents care about most.

Whether your family has been doing tea ceremonies for generations or you’re incorporating the tradition for the first time, this guide covers everything you need to plan a beautiful Chinese tea ceremony in the Greater Toronto Area.

What Is a Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony?

The Chinese tea ceremony (敬茶, jìng chá) is a tradition dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). Tea was chosen as the symbol of marriage because, historically, tea plants could not be transplanted — once rooted, they stayed faithful to one place. The tradition carried a message: like the tea plant, a bride’s loyalty and commitment are unwavering.

During the ceremony, the bride and groom kneel before their elders and serve tea as a sign of respect, gratitude, and the formal joining of two families. It’s not just a ritual — it’s the moment where both families officially accept the marriage.

For many Chinese-Canadian couples across Richmond Hill, Markham, Scarborough, and Toronto, the tea ceremony is the most emotionally significant part of the entire wedding day.

When Does the Tea Ceremony Happen?

The tea ceremony is traditionally held on the morning of the wedding day, before the Western ceremony or reception.

A typical wedding day timeline for GTA couples looks like this:

• 8:00–9:00 AM — Hair and makeup (bridal suite)
• 9:00–9:30 AM — Door games (optional, at the bride’s family home or at the venue)
• 9:30–10:30 AM — Tea ceremony for the bride’s family
• 11:00–12:00 PM — Tea ceremony for the groom’s family
• 12:30 PM onward — Lunch, photos, then the Western ceremony and reception

Some couples do both families’ ceremonies back-to-back at one venue, which simplifies logistics — especially if the ceremony space is already decorated and set up.

Who Attends the Tea Ceremony?

The tea ceremony is an intimate, family-focused event. The typical guest list includes:

• Parents (both sets — the most important)
• Grandparents
• Aunts and uncles (usually in order of seniority)
• Older siblings (if married)
• Close family friends who are considered elders

For most families, this means 15-30 people. It’s not the full wedding guest list — it’s the inner circle.

The order matters. The couple typically serves tea to:

1. The groom’s parents first (if at the groom’s side ceremony)
2. Then grandparents
3. Then aunts and uncles, in order of age
4. Then older married siblings

Each elder is addressed by their kinship title (e.g., 爸爸, 媽媽, 爺爺, 奶奶, 大伯, 姑姑), and in return, they give the couple a red envelope (紅包) or gold jewellery with blessings.

What You Need for a Chinese Tea Ceremony

Here’s the complete checklist:

Tea essentials:

• A traditional Chinese tea set (teapot, cups, and tray)
• Tea — most families use Iron Goddess of Mercy (鐵觀音) or Pu-erh (普洱茶)
• Red dates (紅棗) and lotus seeds (蓮子) — added to the tea, symbolizing fertility and sweetness
• Paper tea cups as backups (for larger groups)

Ceremony items:

• A pair of red kneeling pads (跪墊) for the couple
• Double happiness (囍) decals or signage
• Red decorative elements throughout the space

Nice to have:

• Floral pillars or arrangements framing the ceremony area
• A silk floral bouquet and boutonniere for the couple
• A dedicated photographer who understands the ceremony flow
• A family member or MC to guide the order and announce each elder

Venue requirements:

• Enough seating for 15-50 family members
• A quiet, private space (not a busy restaurant corner)
• Good lighting for photos — this is one of the most photographed moments of the day
• Space for the couple to kneel comfortably with family seated in front
• Offers red decor (backdrop, floral arrangement, kneeling pillows, tea cart) to bring your ceremony together

Where to Host a Tea Ceremony in the GTA

Traditionally, Chinese tea ceremonies were held at the family home. Many GTA couples still do this — but it comes with challenges:

 

• Most homes in Richmond Hill, Markham, and Toronto don’t comfortably fit 20-50 family members plus a photographer
• Lighting is often poor for photos
• There’s no designated space for the kneeling and serving
• Setup and cleanup fall on the family during an already busy morning

 

That’s why more couples are moving the tea ceremony to a dedicated venue — especially one already set up with the right decor and atmosphere.

 

A good tea ceremony venue in the GTA should have:

 

• Private studio space (not shared with other events)
• Traditional red and gold decor elements
• Comfortable seating for elders
• Natural light for photography
• All ceremony essentials included (tea, kneeling pads, floral arrangements)
• Proximity to Richmond Hill, Markham, or Scarborough where many Chinese-Canadian families live

 

Espace Studio’s Chinese Tea Ceremony package includes everything listed above: the tea with red dates and lotus seeds, red kneeling pads, decorated floral pillars, silk bouquet and boutonniere, double happiness decals, and a private decorated studio with Crystal Chiavari chairs and vintage furniture. The base capacity is 20 people per hour, and the studio is located in Richmond Hill — central to Markham, Thornhill, and North Toronto.

Tea Ceremony Etiquette: What to Know

For the couple:

 

• Kneel on both knees when serving tea (some modern families allow standing, but kneeling is traditional)
• Hold the teacup with both hands when presenting it
• Address each elder by their proper kinship title — your parents or an MC can coach you beforehand
• Accept red envelopes and gifts with both hands and say thank you (多謝)
• Sip the tea when elders offer it back to you

For the guests:

• Sit in the correct order of seniority
• Prepare red envelopes or gold jewellery in advance
• Give blessings to the couple when receiving tea
• Dress semi-formally — red or gold tones are appreciated, avoid all-white or all-black

For planning:

• Brief the photographer on the ceremony order and key family members beforehand
• Have a family member manage the sequence so the couple isn’t coordinating logistics while kneeling
• Allocate 45-60 minutes per family side — it always takes longer than expected
• Prepare extra tea and cups (someone always arrives unexpectedly)

How to Combine a Tea Ceremony with a Western Wedding

Many GTA couples host both a Chinese tea ceremony and a Western ceremony on the same day. Here’s how to make it work:

Option 1: Tea ceremony at a venue, Western ceremony at the same venue The simplest approach. Book a venue that can accommodate both. Do the tea ceremony in the morning, reconfigure or move to a different room, and hold the Western ceremony in the afternoon. This minimizes travel and lets you get ready once.

Option 2: Tea ceremony at home, Western ceremony at a venue Traditional but logistically heavier. You’ll need a separate getting-ready location, time for travel between the home and the venue, and potentially a second hair and makeup touch-up.

Option 3: Tea ceremony and Western ceremony on separate days Some couples hold the tea ceremony the day before the wedding or even weeks prior. This gives both events the full attention they deserve, without rushing.

For couples booking a micro wedding at Espace Studio, a common approach is to add the tea ceremony in the morning and hold the Western ceremony and reception in the afternoon — all at the same venue. This keeps the day simple, eliminates travel, and ensures the same beautiful backdrop for both sets of photos.

What a Chinese Tea Ceremony Costs in the GTA

Tea ceremony costs in the GTA vary depending on where you host it:

• At home: $50-200 (tea set, kneeling pads, red dates/lotus seeds, decor). Cheapest, but limited by space and lighting.
• At a restaurant private room: $500-1,500 (room rental + minimum food/drink spend). Variable quality — some restaurants provide great setups, others give you a back room with fluorescent lighting.
• At a dedicated venue/studio: $500-2,000+ (includes decor, ceremony items, private space, good lighting). The most photo-friendly and stress-free option.

The venue cost is a small fraction of the overall wedding budget, and the photos from a well-lit, beautifully decorated tea ceremony are among the most treasured from the entire wedding day.

Start Planning Your Tea Ceremony

If you’re planning a Chinese tea ceremony in Richmond Hill, Markham, Toronto, or anywhere in the GTA, the key decisions are:

1. Where — home, restaurant, or dedicated venue
2. When — same day as the Western wedding, or a separate day
3. Who — finalize your elder list and serving order early
4. What — tea set, kneeling pads, red dates, lotus seeds, red envelopes

For a stress-free option with everything included, explore Espace Studio’s Chinese Tea Ceremony package or contact us at 647-924-7757 to book a tour of the studio.

Espace Studio is an intimate event venue at 1550 16th Ave, Richmond Hill, ON, specializing in micro weddings, Chinese tea ceremonies, baby showers, birthday parties, and bridal showers. We serve families across the GTA including Toronto, Markham, Vaughan, Scarborough, and Thornhill.