Everything You Need to Know About the Chinese Wedding Dress
A timeless symbol of love, family, and prosperity
The Meaning Behind the Chinese Wedding Dress
The Chinese wedding dress carries centuries of blessings. The red silk symbolizes joy and prosperity, while the gold and silver threads represent wealth and harmony. Every symbol reflects the values of love, family, and legacy.
At JINZA, we honor these heirloom traditions and bring them to life for modern brides who wish to celebrate their roots with grace and individuality.
The Three Most Iconic Styles: Qun Kwa, Xiu He Fu & Wedding Qipao
Qun Kwa
The Qun Kwa is a traditional Chinese wedding dress that originated in Hong Kong.
It includes a fitted jacket and skirt, both embroidered by hand with gold and silver threads.
Common motifs such as dragons, phoenixes, and peonies symbolize prosperity, harmony, and family blessings.
Brides often wear the Qun Kwa for the Chinese tea ceremony or their main wedding day to honor heritage and parents.
Xiu He Fu
The Xiu He Fu is a modern Chinese wedding dress with a structured jacket and A-line skirt.
It combines traditional Chinese embroidery with a comfortable fit and balanced design.
Brides often wear the Xiu He Fu for tea ceremonies or wedding banquets, where comfort and movement matter.
Wedding Qipao
The wedding Qipao, also known as the Cheongsam, is a fitted one-piece Chinese wedding dress made from silk or brocade.
It features a high collar, side slits, and precise tailoring that highlights the bride’s figure.
This style is often worn for Chinese tea ceremonies, wedding banquets, or receptions, combining a modern silhouette with cultural elegance.
Choosing the Right Style for You
Classic Bride – Qun Kwa
For brides with Hong Kong roots or those who love timeless tradition, the Qun Kwa is a perfect choice. Hand-embroidered with gold and silver threads, it represents prosperity and family honor.
Romantic Bride – Xiu He Fu
Ideal for brides who plan to hold a full bed ceremony before the tea ceremony, the Xiu He Fu offers a dramatic, royal look. Its 365-degree circular skirt creates beautiful movement and photographs well, making it a favorite for romantic portraits.
Modern Bride – Wedding Qipao
For practical and stylish brides, the bias-cut modern mermaid Qipao combines elegance and comfort. It flatters the figure while preserving the cultural symbolism of good fortune and harmony.
Explore our Chinese Wedding Dress Collection.
Real Brides Wearing Their Chinese Wedding Dresses
"My mother passed away before my wedding. Her name is stitched into my Qipao. It felt like she walked with me." Sherry
"I wanted something to pass down, not just wear once.” Leslie
"Our cat and dog are part of our family. Seeing them hand-stitched onto our wedding outfits made it feel like they were walking with us down the aisle." Suzanne
Frequently Asked Questions
A Chinese wedding dress is a traditional bridal outfit often worn for weddings or tea ceremonies. Popular styles include the Qun Kwa, Xiu He Fu, and wedding Qipao, which are usually decorated with auspicious embroidery featuring dragons and phoenixes symbolizing blessings, harmony, and prosperity.
Yes. Most of our brides are outside Los Angeles. We work through Zoom consultations, ship fabric swatches, and provide muslin fittings by mail. Your dress will be tailored to your measurements and shipped securely to you anywhere in the U.S. or internationally.
A hand-embroidered Chinese wedding dress can take several months to complete, depending on design complexity. For example, a fully embroidered Qun Kwa may take up to 6–14 months, while a simpler Qipao requires 3–6 months. Off-the-rack options are available in the store.
Because each dress is custom-made with different levels of embroidery and materials, we don’t publish set prices online. Most of our brides consider these heirloom pieces, with timelines from 2 to 14 months depending on embroidery. During your consultation, we’ll share options that match your vision and budget.