Nacai
The groom's family prepares gifts and goes to the bride's home to propose marriage; it is the first of the six traditional wedding rites.
Nacai is the first step in the traditional 'Six Rites' of a wedding. It refers to the groom's family sending an envoy to formally visit the bride's home with gifts to propose marriage. This symbolizes the groom's sincerity and importance placed on the marriage and is the official step that initiates the entire wedding process. In the past, it was believed that proposing was a major family affair and a auspicious day had to be chosen for the visit to show solemnity and to pray for a smooth process and the bride's family's agreement. Today, although the specific rituals of the 'Six Rites' have been greatly simplified, many families still choose a day that both sides consider auspicious when arranging a formal proposal or engagement.