Mei-Lin Chen
Mei-Lin is the East Asian Weddings Editor at RSVP'd, covering Chinese tea ceremony, Guo Da Li, and the logistics of multi-generational family events. A third-generation Chinese-Canadian and former food editor, she shifted to wedding writing after planning her own four-country, three-ceremony wedding in 2022, an experience that produced both a marriage and a working spreadsheet she still references on deadline. She writes about the intersection of tradition and practicality, and she is particular about tea. She lives in Vancouver.
Based in Vancouver, BC
3 pieces by Mei-Lin Chen
The Modern Tea Ceremony: Hosting One Without a Dai Kam Jie
A step-by-step guide to running your own Chinese wedding tea ceremony, including what to say, who gets served when, and how to handle envelopes.
What the Dai Kam Jie Actually Does (And Why You Want One)
The dai kam jie is part MC, part ceremony director, part family diplomat. Here is what she really does, what she costs, and how to find a good one.
Chinese Wedding Traditions: Tea Ceremony, Guo Da Li, and the Modern Banquet
A working guide to the full Chinese wedding: Guo Da Li gifts, the tea ceremony, door games, and a ten-course banquet. Written by someone who planned one.