Weddings
Lion Dance for Weddings in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia
A traditional lion dance turns a wedding banquet into a blessing. Our lions greet the couple and their families, perform the choy cheng ceremony for prosperity and give every guest a moment they will talk about for years.
Why couples book a lion dance
In Chinese tradition the lion drives away bad luck and welcomes good fortune, which is why lions appear at the beginnings of things: a new year, a new business and a new marriage. At a wedding the dance is a blessing on the couple and both families, and it is also the most energetic ten minutes of the reception. The drum draws every guest to their feet, the lions work the room, and the moment the lion presents the greens or a scroll to the newlyweds is one photographers plan for.
Couples book us for banquets at Chinese restaurants in Rockville, Wheaton and D.C.’s Chinatown, for hotel ballroom receptions in Bethesda, Tysons and downtown Washington, and for private estates and country clubs across Montgomery and Fairfax counties. Many are honoring a parent’s or grandparent’s tradition; many others simply want their guests to experience something genuine. Both are good reasons.
What happens during a wedding lion dance?
A typical wedding performance runs about 15 to 20 minutes and is timed to a natural break in the reception, often right after the couple’s entrance or between courses at a banquet. The drum begins, the lions enter and bow to the couple and the parents, then move among the tables greeting guests. The dance builds to the choy cheng blessing: the lion approaches the lettuce and red envelope, eats the greens and scatters the leaves for prosperity, then presents a scroll or the greens to the couple. The lions bow again and exit to the drum.
One lion suits an intimate reception; two lions fill a large ballroom and let the dance play out on both sides of the room. We coordinate every cue with your planner or banquet captain in advance so the performance fits the run of show and the photographer and videographer know where to stand.
Planning notes for couples and planners
- Space. A clear area of roughly 15 by 15 feet plus room to move among the tables. Ceilings of about ten feet let the lion lift its head fully; lower rooms work with adapted choreography.
- Sound. The drum, gong and cymbals are loud and acoustic. We adjust to the room and pause the band or DJ for the duration of the dance.
- The red envelope. Traditionally the couple or parents prepare a red envelope for the lion, tied to the lettuce or handed to the lion during the blessing. The amount is entirely up to you.
- Timing. We arrive well before the performance, stay out of sight while the room settles and enter on the planner’s cue.
- Pricing. Wedding performances are quoted individually based on date, venue and number of lions. Contact us for a quote.
Where we perform wedding lion dances
We perform at weddings throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia, from Bethesda and Rockville a few minutes from our school, to hotels and estates in the District, Arlington and Fairfax County. Saturdays in the spring and fall are booked earliest, so reserve your date with the rest of your vendors.
A wedding reception, guests around the floor 
The lion greeting guests at a wedding 
The lion rearing up mid-dance
How far in advance should I book a lion dance?
Book as soon as your date is confirmed. We perform mainly at weekends, because most of the team works during the week, so Saturdays and Sundays fill first. Lunar New Year is the highest-demand fortnight of our year and peak wedding Saturdays go next; outside those periods we can often accommodate an event with a few weeks' notice.
If your date is close, contact us anyway. Our school is in Kensington, Maryland, and for nearby cities such as Bethesda, Silver Spring and Rockville we can sometimes fit a short performance into a busy day.
How long does a lion dance performance last?
A standard performance runs about 15 to 20 minutes, which is long enough for the lions to enter, greet the guests, perform and complete the choy cheng blessing. Longer programs, multiple sets during a long event, or a route with several stops can be arranged.
For weddings, the dance is usually timed to a natural pause in the reception. For grand openings, the performance often begins outside at the entrance and moves inside. For festivals and corporate events with a stage, we can extend the program with a kung fu demonstration from the Shaolin Hung Fut Kung Fu School.
What is the red envelope for?
The red envelope, or hong bao, is a traditional gift of good luck offered to the lion during the performance. The lion 'eats' the envelope along with the lettuce during the choy cheng blessing, and the gift symbolizes the host's generosity and the good fortune returned to them.
Hosts often tie a red envelope to the lettuce hung at the entrance, and guests sometimes offer envelopes to the lion as it greets them. The amount is at the host's discretion. The envelope is a customary gesture and is separate from the performance fee.
How much does a lion dance performance cost?
Pricing depends on the date, location, number of lions and length of the program, so we quote each event individually. Contact us with your date, venue and the occasion and we will send a quote, usually the same or next business day.
Lunar New Year dates, events far from Kensington, multi-lion programs and combined lion dance and kung fu demonstrations are priced differently from a standard single-lion blessing. Tell us everything you have in mind and we will recommend the option that fits your event and budget.
Service area
Where we perform wedding lion dances
We travel throughout the D.C. metro area from our school in Kensington, Maryland. These are some of the places we perform most often for this kind of event.
Book the team
Ready to book a lion dance?
Tell us your date, venue and occasion and we will reply with availability and a quote.