03/23/2020 With heavy hearts, we may have to cancel our wedding plans. We are going to make a final decision by April 10th. We are trying to stay up to date with official recommendations. We want to make a responsible decision and we want our wedding to be safe for all our loved ones. Thank you for your patience, understanding, & support. Talk soon, Meigan & Pat.
All guests will be served a 10 course family-style meal. Like a lot of things Chinese, the dishes served at a banquet symbolizes a traditional meaning. An example common to all celebratory dinners is of poultry and fish being served with heads and tails intact, signifying that all things are wholesome and complete. Vegetarian dishes are taboo, as a herbivore diet can be associated with falling on hard times. And when it comes to once-in-a-lifetime events such as wedding banquets, superstition is to make sure that the couple starts on the right foot and guests are happy.
When attending a Chinese banquet, leave your diet at home because guests are encouraged to eat heartily. However, don't forget that you'll be sampling 10 courses, so you need to reserve some room for the other goodies. Plus, you want to make sure everyone at your table gets to sample each course, so small portions are also good. Pace yourself so you savor each entrée. To avoid wasting food, it's normal and encouraged to pack up what's not eaten and take home leftovers. And as with any host, yours will be happy to know that you and your fellow guests had an ample amount of dishes at their occasion, which signifies prosperity and abundance. Relax and enjoy each course as it arrives, and avoid asking for things like rice, which is served towards the end. Noodles are long and symbolize long life. Rice is a reliable source of food in China, a large dish of rice symbolizes a plentiful supply of food throughout the couple's life.
Though those who participate in the Tea Ceremony are family, any wedding guests are welcome to arrive to Lyman Estates early to watch and show support. A Tea Ceremony is referred to as "jing cha" in Chinese, literally meaning, 'to respectfully offer tea.' The tea ceremony is a significant way for the bride and groom to pay respect and show their gratitude and appreciation towards their parents & relatives for all the years of nurture, love, and support. The tea ceremony also symbolize that the bride and the groom officially belong into a new, extended family. After drinking the tea, the parents & relatives will present gifts to the couple in the form of red envelopes with money inside (there is no correct amount) or 24K gold jewelry.
Don't stress! It's okay to ask a server for a fork :)
Yes! Put your dance shoes on... We will have a dance floor & DJ
Each guest will be given a Bem Casado cookie as a thank you gift. Bem Casados, meaning "well married" in Portuguese. A Brazilian tradition for weddings, the Bem Casados represents two parts that are united and committed, & promise of a life of happiness & mutual respect. Tradition says that everyone who tastes the bem casados will enjoy the same luck and happiness as the newlyweds. All you need to do is make a wish!
Since most of our guests are local, we are not expecting guests to book hotel rooms, but if you’d like to & are looking for recommendations, the bride & groom will be spending the night at The Moxy Hotel (The Moxy Boston Downtown by The Marriott @ 240 Tremont Street, Boston MA)... a 5 min walk around the corner from China Pearl.
The bride & groom recommend taking a Lyft or Uber... especially if you’re planning to consume alcohol. If you plan to drive, there is street parking, or parking garages nearby. Self Park at China Garage (2 min walk to China Pearl) 84 Beach Street, Boston $12.00 All Night Self Park at Beach Street Garage (2 min walk to China Pearl) 40 Beach Street, Boston $17.00 All Night
China Pearl is located upstairs. If you need elevator access to the reception, please contact our event manager: Patty Moy (857) 389-0658 pattymoy@gmail.com There is elevator access through the back. Please notify Patty so she can make sure there is staff to greet and help guests who need elevator access.