UNDERSTANDING CHINESE WEDDINGS CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS - diff from western ceremony - sign of a marraige cert is not the most important part of a chinese wed - traditions like tea ceremony - tea served during ceremony contains red dates and lotus seeds - red dates = harmony lotus seeds = couple be blessed with children soon - traiditon for the couple to show respect and gratitude to their parents for their yrs of love and care - the couple serve tea to their parents first - once tea is finished the parents presen the couple with red envelopes with usually contain money - or gold jewelry - the couple contunues in serving tea from eldest to the youngets fam members - once the tea cerem is complete, the highlight of the day's festivities can begin WEDDING BANQUET - chinese culture place greta importance on symbolism - every item in setup is carefully selected to promote good fortune for the couple - certain coulours are used to encourage a happy and successful marraige - main colors are red and gold - red = good luck joy and happiness - gold = prosperity - some number are lucky and unlucky for chinese - only lucky numbers are used at the wedding - food is selected based on similar sounding and auspicious words - always have a fish course - fish = abundance EVENT ROOM SITE INSPECTION 1. planning and prep - decide on a specific route - use the info gatherd from the initial comms with them - inform the delevant depts within the hotel so they can prep and stage the event rooms accordingly - event room must be inspected an hour before the guest arrive 2. how to conduct a site inspection - event manager must be ready and waiting at the agreed upon arrival point at least 10 minutes fore guests arrive - the parents of the couple will join them for site inspection - when the guest arrive, welcome the eldest family member by bowing - and bow and greet the rest - guest time is valuable - politely confirm how much time they have available for inspection - explain the inspection route - provide suggestions - the key is not to deviate from ur inspection route - focus on what the guests is looking for - ask questions - recap - guest departure is also important - make lasting impression - offer guests brochures to look oever at home with infos - offer them ur business card before u byebye BRIDAL SUITE SITE INSPECTION 1. bidal suite inspection - done by the couple and parents and hosted by the event manager or wedding butler - happens immediately after wedding venue inspection - place props such as bouquets of flowers, candies, and fruit - set up mock tea tray if tea cerem is held in bridal suite - dressing room for the bride and mother - the bride changes at least 3 times during wedding - show them the safe - samefloor lang ung sa room ng parents - red bedding - provide 2 sets - arrange if not stay in hotel in night FLOOR PLANS AND SEATING ARRANGEMENTS 1. floor plans - helps to visualise what the event will look like - take traditions and customs into considerations - avoid unlucky numebrs like 4 - table seats are 10-12 - round table 2. seating arrangements - place the seating chart at the entrance of the event area - bride, groom, grandparents, parents head table - 2nd head, brides fam - table closest are honoured guests = senior fam, bridal part and vip guests MENU PROCESS 1. menu tasting - event amnager of butler are in charge - use beo - when arrive, meet them in the lobby and escort them to the menu tasting venue - offer beverage or chinese tea - check will introduce a. during the mt, introduce every course and gather feedback b. once done, go through logistics of the weedinfg day = timing, number of guests, tables expected c. chef will meet the guests again to gather feedback - inform the event summary and menu tasting comment report will be prep for them soon d. once discussed, u and chef will bid the guest byebye 2. upsell menu items - offer the couple whole abalone instead od sliced - u can say, abalone is premium dish at chinese wed - so we can offer u whole abalone instead of sliced - upsell individually presented soup - u double boil soup is served 10-12 bowls each station - nowadays couples like to have chinese sw8 soup and cakes or macaroons... THE WEDDING BUTLER - they can relieve any pressure the couple may feel so they can focus on enjoying their day 1. main job requiements a. familirizing themselves with the service req for the event through BEO b. using these knowledge to perform all necessary quality checks for the event setup 2. duties on the wedding - offering couple warm service - assist every step - before cerem, handles all arrangements for couples dressing room - dress the bride and assist in retouching make up - assist with the movements of the couple = brides march into event room, seating the couple, cutting the cake, overssing the toasts and speeches - anticipates the needs of bride - offer bride slippers - provide straw fro her beverafge - tissue when cry - packing everything - farewell FOOD AND BEV REQUIREMENTS 1. food - whole suckling pig - fideilty, peace, unity - even number of courses 8, 10,12 - pickeled vegies - steamed buns - stir fried prawns with veg - fish soup - abalone sea cucumber - roadted chimken or duck - fish - noodles fried rice - sweet soup - fruit platter 2. beverages - red wines - chinese wine - whisky POST WEDDING ACTIVITIES - forgotten leftovers needed to be returned to their owners 1. returning items that have been left behind - gathered by the event manager or wedding butler and sent to their suite - front office place them here - banquet team and front office must be ccoridnated - opera alert notifies the fo agent that the items need to be collected - items returned to owners when check out 2. gathering feedback on the wedding - asking their thoughts, same week on everything - log it under booking on hotels bs - share fb to banqueting team so they can make improvements
