‘婚宴’ literally combines 婚 (hūn), meaning 'marriage' or 'wedding', and 宴 (yàn), meaning 'banquet' or 'feast'. Together, it refers specifically to the formal celebratory meal held to mark a wedding—typically hosted by the couple’s families for relatives, friends, and colleagues. Unlike casual gatherings, a 婚宴 is usually elaborate, held in a restaurant or banquet hall, and follows cultural customs such as toasting, speeches, and serving symbolic dishes like whole fish or sweet soup.

This term emphasizes the social and ceremonial aspect of marriage in Chinese culture—not just the legal ceremony (婚礼), but the communal celebration that affirms family ties and social bonds. It is commonly used in invitations, wedding planning discussions, and media coverage of celebrity weddings. While often associated with traditional Chinese weddings, modern 婚宴 may incorporate Western elements like white dresses or cake-cutting, yet the core function remains the same: honoring the union through shared food and hospitality.