Lion dance troupe: a wedding guide

Your wishlist

Answer these before you meet anyone.

• Where would you love the lions to perform?

  The run of show settles once you book.

• How many lions are you picturing?

  A pair of lions is the common choice.

• Do you want the cai qing — the lettuce-plucking blessing?

What to ask each one

• How many lions?

  Two performers animate each lion, and the drum, cymbal, and gong crew comes alongside — a pair of lions is the common choice.

• How much room does the troupe need?

  Each troupe's footprint differs. What a troupe asks for: floor clearance for the lions, headroom for the raised moves, a path from the door to where the couple stand, a spot for the drum, and a place to stage and change.

How it’s usually priced

Usually priced as one flat amount.

Possible extras: Additional lions, Extended performance / second moment, Travel fee.

What you settle once booked

• Where do the lions perform?

• The cai qing — plucking the green

  The lion plucks the hung lettuce and red envelope, then scatters the leaves — prosperity thrown back over the couple and their guests. Many troupes bring their own rig; families can also hang it themselves.

• Full live percussion?

• Who presents the red envelopes to the lions?

  Guests and family traditionally feed red envelopes to the lions during the performance — decide who has them ready and who presents on the couple's behalf.

• Customs and moments to include

  Room for the specifics — a scroll unfurled with a blessing couplet, a bow to the elders' table, regional styles either family holds.

The day-of sheet

Confirm arrival, finish, who to call, access, a meal, and what is due.

Across the whole day

Choose which moments to include.

• Troupe arrives & stages
• Lion dance