The Asian-Themed Wedding
Asian-themed weddings are on the rise. At first this might
seem surprising. After all, nothing could seem further from the Laura Ashley vision that
floats by when we hear the word "wedding."
Asian Theme Party Supplies
Maybe that’s one of the forces behind why the
Asian-themed wedding's growing more popular: it turns things upside down. In fact, in a
Chinese wedding, white is bad (it’s the color of death), and red and black are good
(they’re the colors of luck and prosperity). How different can you get?
You might have wondered whether the brides that plan
Asian-themed weddings are Asian (or marrying someone who is). Sometimes! Surprisingly
often, they aren’t, and the choice is purely for preference.
If you look at today's Asian weddings, you
see them actually breaking down into two types: the Japanese or "Zen" style,
which values simplicity and nature, and the more riotous Chinese style, which bristles
with bright colors and shiny fabrics.
Although either choice may surprise your older guests, you
may find a deep expression of personal values in an Asian-themed wedding. After all, the
usual wedding is a type of pageant: the couple pretends to be royalty for a day, and
lavishly entertains a large party —while racking up the debt.
Good
Fortune Theme Party
But brides drawn to the Zen-style ceremony sometimes want
to avoid some of the excess, and simplify the ceremony (ironically, this can result in
greater elegance for the price tag). This type of bride might read "voluntary
simplicity" books, think about the environment, enjoy an uncluttered house or
apartment with a handful of Japanese accents (Shoji lanterns and screens, for example), or
find herself attracted to natural materials. She might prefer a simpler wedding gown, and
carry an unfussy bouquet of calla lilies. Her centerpieces might be lanterns surrounded by
black and white stones. For favors, she might give out fortune cookies placed in take-out
boxes and topped off with chopsticks.
Cherry Blossom Chop Sticks
Wooden Chopsticks
Other brides find aspects of the western tradition too
staid and quiet, so they mix up their ceremony with Chinese zest. This bride might dress
her bridesmaids in glowing red (or slinky black) Cheongsams, dresses with high collars and
slit sides. She'll hand them parasols instead of nosegays, and pass out chopsticks for
their hair. Her own gown might be of gorgeous brocade in red, orange or gold. Perhaps
she'll wrap up the ceremony with a butterfly release and hand out lucky bamboo stalks as
wedding favors. This bride doesn’t mind charting her own course in social affairs,
and she loves the Chinese devotion to parents and children.
Chinese Bamboo Accessories
In either case, the Asian-themed wedding may be a great
way to tie your ceremony to some very personal values. Perhaps the thought of one crossed
your mind, but you thought you had to be Asian! Don't worry: Asian traditions,
philosophies and trends have gone deep into American culture since the 1960s. So maybe
it's time to ask yourself this: which type of Asian bride are you?
About the Author Blake Kritzberg is editor
at Wedding Favor Ideas. Stop by for wedding favor ideas, Save-the-Date eCards, free
wedding screensaver, free wedding templates and Bridezilla's weekly adventures at:
http://www.favorideas.com
Blake Kritzberg entropy5@planet-save.com
Wedding Favors
HEAVENLY CHAI-SPICED BUNDT CAKE
Bundt Cakes Ingredients:
• 2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups packed golden brown sugar
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1-3/4 cups hot water
• 1 cup Heavenly Chai (3 to 4 packets)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• 1 egg yolk
Spiced Syrup Ingredients:
• 2 cups (packed) golden brown sugar
• 2 cups water
• 3/4 cup dark corn syrup;
• 1-1/2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions: Bundt Cakes - Makes 12
Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour 2 nonstick mini bundt pans (6
cakes per pan) or large muffin pans.
Sift flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt into large bowl. Whisk hot
water and chai powder in another large bowl to blend. Whisk honey,
melted butter, buttermilk, eggs, and egg yolk into chai mixture to
blend. Stir chai mixture into flour mixture until just blended. Divide
batter among prepared Bundt pans (about 1/2 cup per "hole").
Bake cakes until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean, about
25 minutes. Invert immediately onto rack. Cool 10 minutes. Serve warm
(or not) with scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with syrup (recipe
below) if desired. Cakes may be made 1 day ahead and warmed briefly in
microwave before serving.
Directions Spiced Syrup
Stir all ingredients in heavy large deep saucepan over medium-low heat
until sugar dissolves. Attach candy thermometer to side of pan (don't
let tip touch bottom of pan). Increase heat to high. Boil without
stirring until thermometer registers 220 F. , occasionally swirling pan
and brushing down sides with wet pastry brush, about 12 minutes
(depending on size of pan). Strain syrup into medium bowl. Cool to room
temperature. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Let stand at room temperature and
warm before serving.)
Leftover syrup also great for pancakes
