The ancient custom of proposing marriage

Before formal marriage, couples have many processes to go through, such as proposing marriage and getting a marriage certificate. So what are the rules for proposing marriage in ancient times? What is the process before marriage?

First, the rules of ancient marriage proposal:

1, three books and six gifts

In ancient times, marriage proposal was generally a process of three books and six rituals, because the Ming media were married and both were indispensable. But if it's concubinage, there aren't so many rules, anything is fine.

(1) Three copies

Three books refer to the letter of appointment, the letter of gift and the letter of welcome.

The letter of appointment refers to the engagement letter, which is the formal engagement of men and women; For Najib (Guo);

Gift book is a gift book and a gift list, which lists the types and quantities of gifts in detail; Used in recruitment (as a gift);

Wedding book is a book for marrying the bride, which is used on the wedding day.

(2) Six rites

Six rites refer to six kinds of etiquette from marriage proposal to marriage completion, namely, receiving gifts, asking names, accepting gifts, inviting guests and welcoming relatives.

Na is the first of the six rites. It means that the man wants to marry the woman, and the man sends a matchmaker to the woman's house to propose marriage as a gift. After being accepted, please ask the matchmaker to formally accept the bride's "spouse selection ceremony".

Ask the name, that is, the man's family asks the matchmaker to ask the woman's name and date of birth;

Naji, that is, after the man retrieved the woman's name and eight characters, he performed divination in the ancestral hall;

Zheng Na, also known as Nabi, means that the man's family gives it to the woman's family as a dowry;

The date of invitation, the man chooses the wedding date, prepares gifts and informs the woman's family to get permission;

At the wedding reception, one or two days before the wedding, the woman sends a dowry and makes the bed, and the groom goes to the woman's house to get married the next day.

Second, the premarital process:

1, 12 month before marriage

(1) Discuss the engagement ceremony with both parents.

(2) Determine the time and place of the engagement ceremony

(3) Buy the items needed for the engagement ceremony

(4) purchase

(5) Invite friends and relatives to attend.

2. Before marriage 1 1 month -9 months

(1) Parents communicate wedding details.

(2) Calculate the couple's birthday and wedding date.

(3) estimate the wedding budget and the number of guests

(4) Discuss the wedding form and venue.

(5) Booking the wedding venue

(6) Consider the renovation of new houses

(7) Start the renovation of new houses.

3. 8 months to 6 months before marriage

(1) Get a marriage certificate

(2) Take wedding photos

(3) Discuss the related affairs of honeymoon trip.

(4) make an appointment for premarital medical examination

(5) Choose furniture and household appliances for the wedding room.

(6) Choose a wedding company

4. 5 months before marriage-3 months before marriage

Choose the right wedding dress

(2) Order gifts

(3) Choose the honeymoon location and determine the itinerary.

(4) Contact the hotel to determine the holding time.

(5) Send invitations to guests

(6) Decide on the best man and bridesmaid

(7) Decide on the date of marriage.

Summary:

There are many things and processes to be prepared for a wedding, so it is best for couples to start planning a year or six months ago, so as to ensure sufficient time. If you choose a traditional wedding, there is no need to imitate all these traditional ways of proposing marriage. After all, the process is quite complicated.