Serving as a formal introduction to the bride and groom, traditionally, the couple and their attendants offer tea or liquor to their guests as a symbol of the bride and groom beginning a new life together. After drinking the tea or liquor, guests would offer well wishes to the couple in the form of kind words, jewelry, and/or monetary gifts.
Jiex In, Jiex Zaah, roughly translated as Tea and Freshen Up Ceremony, are Iu-Mien wedding traditions that serve as a formal introduction to the bride and groom, and as a means for the bride and groom to express their respect and gratitude towards their family and friends. The ceremonies generally take place as guests are entering the wedding reception.
The Freshen Up Ceremony immediately follows the Tea Ceremony. During the Freshen Up Ceremony, the bride and groom offer a basin of water to each of their guests to wash their faces. Atop the basin will be a towel placed on top of two sticks. The towel is for guests to dry off. This ceremony serves as a way for the bride and groom to thank their wedding guests for their attendance and to pay their respects. Traditionally, the offerings of the water are strictly dictated by the order of age and relation to the bride and groom. However, in many modern Iu-Mien weddings, the strict order of water offering is rarely practiced, and guests are not expected to wash their face with the water. Some may wash or touch the water with their hands and accept the towel, most just accept the towel and continue into the reception.