Get to know Yangzhou's wedding traditions

An "escort granny" accompanies the bride to the groom's family. [Photo/xhby.net]

Brides from Xiejia town in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, on the day of their wedding, are accompanied not only by their friends and relatives, but also by a special "escort granny". 

The "granny" will accompany the bride from her own family to the groom's family, guiding her and the groom to perform traditional wedding rites, and heat up the festive atmosphere with various celebrations. 

The grannies are usually middle or old-aged local women who have a big family, with their parents-in-law still around and kicking, offspring growing up healthy and strong, and husbands gentle and considerate. They are regarded as the epitomes of happy lives and thus represent best wishes to the new couples. 

The wedding tradition originated in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) and is now recognized as an intangible cultural heritage in Yangzhou. 

One "escort granny" Zhang Suhua, said her family has been carrying forward the tradition since the days of her great grandmother. 

"I love being an 'escort granny' and I will continue to pass on the tradition," Zhang said.

"Escort granny" with the bride and the groom [Photo/xhby.net]

A traditional wedding ceremony in Xiejia town, Yangzhou [Photo/xhby.net]