Setting the bridal bed (An Chuang)

The an chuang ceremony is done to symbolise good health and bring fortune to the couple and to bless them with lots of children.

When:
It is usually done a few days to 1 week before the customary wedding. An auspicious date and time needs to be chosen for An Chuang. The bed is usually not disturbed till the wedding day itself.

A good fortune woman, one whose husband and children are alive and has many grandchildren will install the bridal bed and make the bed with a new set of bedsheet (red or pink) . After which, the woman or couple will leave on the bed a plate with the following items:

1. 2 oranges
2. Peanuts
3. Dried red dates
4. Dried lotus seeds
5. Dried longans
6. Sweets
7. Dried persimmons
8. A twig of promegranate leave
9. 2 red packets

After setting the bridal bed, the pair of bedside lamps from Dowry will be lit. These lamps are not turned off until the wedding night. If the An Chuang date is too far off from the actual day, the plate of items to be placed on the bed as well as the lamps may be lit on the actual day itself.

On the same day or on the wedding day, little children (preferably male) are invited to roll and jump on the bed to bless the couple with lots of children.

If installing a new bed is not practical, it is suggested that the bed has to be moved from its original position.

Taboos:
Avoid joining two single beds together.

The solitairebride take:
Items placed on bed includes
4 individual red packets filled with dried longans, dried red dates,lotus seeds and lily bulbs respectively
2 oranges
1 S$12 red packet

1 brand new bedsheet
Pair of bedside lamps

Me and my hubby did the bed installation together. :) The modern day's way!!! Its not that difficult and quite fun to boot.

My mum insisted that all the items put in the red packets to be done only by the male though. Beats me why this has to be so. Have fun ladies and gentlemen!