<P> Unless the wedding couple has a wedding registry, it is best not to give gifts or gift certificates . For Chinese weddings, cash or a cheque is always the best gift . In addition to that, some elder relatives might also give gold jewelry . The cash or cheque should be in a red envelope or red pocket with the givers' names on it, and it is always given when signing in at the restaurant . In choosing the amount of money to give, givers scrupulously avoid unlucky numbers, such as 4 and favor combinations of lucky numbers, such as 8 and 9 . Also, white envelopes are never used to wrap gifts for a wedding or other joyful event, as the color white is associated with death . </P> <P> There are two times listed on the invitation: 恭候 (gōnghòu / greeting) and 入席 (rùxí / reception). Typically, they are at least two hours apart (some may be four hours). The first one is the time the groom and bride, along with their family, will be ready to receive guests and greet them; the second one is the time the reception / banquet will start . The gap between those hours is referred to as entertainment time . Very often, the restaurant will provide poker and mahjong (麻將) for gambling; the time can also be used to socialize with other guests and take photos with the bride / groom and their families . Nowadays, for Chinese couples' weddings in the U.S., you are less likely to see mahjong being played before the banquet; it is often replaced by a cocktail party . However, if the wedding reception takes place in southern China, Hong Kong, Macau, and even parts of Canada (where there is a large Cantonese population), mahjong might still be played before the dinner . </P> <P> Two people will be at the sign - in tables (one from the bride's family and one from the groom's) to register guests and receive gifts / red envelopes . Often, they will have two separate guest lists, one from the groom's side and one from the bride's . Then the best man and the maid of honor will direct ushers to escort guests to their seat . </P> <P> Typically, the banquet will include a speech from the parents, the best man, the maid of honor, and the guest speaker . There will be cake cutting, toasts, a tea ceremony, some games designed by the DJ, and dancing . The two tables at the center of the room are for the groom's and bride's families . </P>

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