Table 6 Productions Blog

Its the quintessential Chinese wedding tradition: the tea ceremony.  This time-honored exchange was created to show respect for the family.  Historically the tea ceremonies took place at different times, the bride’s family in the morning before the nuptials and the groom’s side was during the ceremony after the vows.  But we decide to shake it up “table 6″ style and put our own twist on it!  This tea ceremony took place on the back patio of the historic Powel Crosley Estate on a fabulous February afternoon in sunny Florida.  As the servers dressed in all black with red ties, the color of the red bean which was symbolic and appeared in the decor and the details, they served organic green tea with lotus seeds in authentic Chinese tea cups made in china.  The family of the bride, eldest to youngest, was served first following the groom’s side in the same order.  Each family member came up to the front, took a designated seat and shared tea with bride and groom. While handing them an envelope filled with money, they wished the couple happiness as they sipped the tea together.  Traditionally, microphones are not used to insure the privacy of the people to whom the bride and groom are sipping tea with.  Once the family shared their wishes, spoke words of wisdom, and gave advice, the bride and goom turned to the guests and invited the guests to drink the tea with them.  The florals that adorned the famous stair well were created to resemble the bride and grooms personal taste.  Just think elegant low square dishes with burnt red interiors and antique gold exterior, seeded eucalyptus and moss artfully wrapped lush red roses, then encircling a cluster of  equisetum jetting upward.  After the guests were more educated and cultured from the traditions of the Chinese tea ceremony, they danced the night away to swanky band, called the Venturas, under a cluster of unique shaped silk lanterns staggard from the ceiling inside a tent.  The food was amazing!  Just imagine chef attended stations serving up your favorite Chinese delectables, such as Seared Tuna on a Crispy Wonton, Iced Sake, Ginger Marinated Beef Tenderloin, Jasmine Thai crab cakes,  Fried Rice, and Vegetable Tempura.  While the guests cocktail-ed around the tent,  they enjoyed the unique table decorations, colors, and detailed decor.  Before exiting for the night the guests could “make a wish” and/or “take a wish” which was displayed in 2 separate apothecary jars.  By making a wish, each guests signed a wish card and hung it on, what we referred to as, the “Wishing Tree”.  This 10′ wrought iron structure provided a blank canvas for us to get creative by hanging over 3 dozen tea lights, adorning it with lush garlands of fresh greenery and orchid blossoms in butterscotch, burnt orange, and red.  After each guest “made a wish”, they were humoured by the “take a wish”. These ancient Chinese fortune sticks left guests questioning their futures by pulling more than one wish out of the jar hoping for more positive wishes.  Next time I will be sure to check the fortunes so we don’t have anyone thinking they due for some bad luck!

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