For many Chinese couples who are getting married, guo da li (过大礼) is an important milestone in their wedding journey. The betrothal ceremony, which traditionally takes place a few weeks before the big day, sees the groom sending over gifts to the bride’s family to show his sincerity in marrying her. These gifts typically comprise xi bing (囍饼) AKA wedding pastries, but can also extend to modern cakes and sweets dressed in auspicious designs. Some families will also choose to send a box of xi bing to their relatives and friends, along with the wedding invitation.
If you’re planning to tie the knot soon, here are some of the best guo da li cakes and packages to consider! Pro tip: as different families and dialect groups have different traditions, do check in with your parents and relatives on the best practices to adhere to for your guo da li ceremony.
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Image credit: Baker’s Brew
Baker’s Brew specialises in guo da li gifts that offer a modern twist on the Chinese tradition. Each item is thoughtfully curated to suit the occasion, and can be customised for your betrothal. If you’re looking for dessert gift boxes, we suggest the Betrothal Gift Box ($23.80 each), which comes with eight different chocolate tartlets, as well as macarons. Another customisable option is their Guo Da Li Cupcakes selection. Each package starts at $28.80 for four cupcakes, and comes with custom fondant that can include details such as your initials and wedding date. Choose from a variety of cupcake flavours, including Earl Grey Lavender, Ondeh Ondeh, and more. If larger cakes are preferred, Baker’s Brew has two options: the Eternal Love (from $128) cake, and the Union ($188) cake. The former comes with traditional Chinese decor elements, such as the golden phoenix and dragon, while the latter comes with an adorable cake topper, where you have a couple in traditional garb, alongside other symbolic decorations. Cakes can be either 6 inches, or 8 inches, depending on how many people you’re catering for. All the bakes are made with premium ingredients, as well as fresh, high-quality fruit.
Image credit: @yumyuminmytumztumz
If you want to go all out for your guo da li ceremony, consider the full-scale betrothal sets from Gin Thye. These are grouped according to your dialect—Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hainanese—as each group requires a fixed set of items. It’s priced at $222.56 for the Basic option, but there’s also a more comprehensive Original option at $419.44—depending on how much of a stickler to tradition your in-laws are. The pricier sets are the way to go if you want to do it the proper way, as they come with the full works: canned pig trotters, candies, wedding cakes, Son-In-Law piah and many more.
Address: 427 Sembawang Road, Singapore 758394
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8am to 8pm, Sun 8am to 3pm
Tel: 6257 1566
Website
Gin Thye is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Pulse Patisserie
Pulse Patisserie has made a name in the scene for their impressive croquembouche selection, majestic macaron towers, and bespoke cakes. Their contemporary take on guo da li cakes is another signature; the Guo Da Li – Wedding Betrothal Gifts ($30) is a well-presented set of six dainty petit fours that’ll please your future in-laws. You get to choose from over 15 treats, including Sea Salt Caramel Tart, Mango Raspberry Macaron, Kaya Pandan Chiffon Roll, and Red Velvet Heart. A minimum of 20 boxes is needed for this option, and delivery costs $20 to one location.
Address: 42 North Canal Road, Singapore 059298
Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 11am to 7pm, Sat 10am to 7pm, Sun 10am to 5pm
Tel: 8339 4648
Website
Pulse Patisserie is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: 603 Tau Sar Piah
If you’re not willing to wait in line for the famous Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah to get your guo da li piah, walk a little further and you’ll find 603 Tau Sar Piah, another popular pastry shop that’s been around for more than 20 years. The Wedding Xi Bing ($19.80) comes with eight pieces of tau sar piah tucked in a specially designed box. Here, the pastries are stamped with the Chinese word 囍, which means double happiness. You can choose from Sweet, Salty, or Half Sweet Half Salty. There’s also a four-piece set at $10. You’ll need to order a minimum of two boxes of the same kind.
They also have a Guo Da Li Wedding Marble Cake (from $10.50) that’s packed in a celebratory box, for those who want to complete their guo da li set!
Address: 603 Balestier Road, Singapore 329904
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 6:30pm
Tel: 6250 0692
Website
603 Tau Sar Piah is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Edith Patisserie
Here’s another modern option for your wedding guests or in-laws for guo da li: Double Happiness Guo Da Li – Box of Ten from Edith Patisserie. Each set comes with 10 dainty tarts that are dolled up in guo da li-inspired designs. Each treat is filled with smooth raspberry ganache, and some are topped with juicy berries, while others come with cute Double Happiness words on them. As this is a custom creation, you’ll need to fill up an enquiry form to get your order in.
Website | Full list of outlets
Edith Patisserie is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @pgcake
Some may choose to follow the tradition of sending treats to their elderly relatives, along with the wedding invite, after the guo da li ceremony. For this, The Pine Garden has cute-looking bake boxes that don’t break the bank! For instance, the Exquisite Cakes & Pastries Set ($13.80) comes with one Marble Butter Cake Bar, two Butter Cupcakes, two Mini Swiss Rolls, and two Mini Choux Puffs. A minimum of 12 sets is required and self-collection is only available at their main branch.
You can also add on the Traditional Hokkien Set ($46.80), which comes with all the necessary auspicious fixings including candied wintermelon strips and dried tangerine. Otherwise, go for the Traditional Lao Ma Gao ($36.80) if you wish to abide by Teochew traditions.
Address: Block 529, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-2369, Singapore 560529
Opening hours: Daily 8:30am to 8:30pm
Tel: 6457 6159
Website
The Pine Garden is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Thiam Yian Confectionery
Thiam Yian Confectionery has been around since 1988, specialising in handmade old-school sweets and cakes. They’re known for their affordable guo da li packages, including the 8pcs Assorted Wedding Slice Cake ($13.80) set. It comes with eight slices of Butter Cream or Fresh Cream cakes, including flavours such as Pandan, Coffee, and Mango. A minimum order of six boxes is required. If you’re a stickler for tradition, the Tau Sar Bing with Dou & Ma Tiao set ($14.80) features two wedding-themed tau sar piah and Teochew sesame candies.
Address: 1004 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534742
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8am to 10pm
Tel: 6458 1478
Website
Thiam Yian Confectionery is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @fotokraftbysimon
Sweetest Moments is popular for their halal-friendly packages for baby showers, full-month celebrations, dessert tables and more. They also offer affordable guo da li cake box deliveries that’ll put a smile across the faces of your relatives. Prices start from $16.90 for a delivery-inclusive box that includes bite-sized mochi, mini cupcakes, tarts, brownies, and a personalised wedding e-card. If you’re on a tighter budget, the Love Sweets box is priced at just $6.90, and comes with two Swiss Rolls, two Pastel Cubes, and two Velvet Cubes, along with an e-card. Delivery is not included in this price.
Do note that a minimum of five boxes is required for the guo da li boxes.
Address: 30 Tai Seng Street, #08-05, BreadTalk IHQ, Singapore 534013
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 5pm
Tel: 6286 2553
Website
Sweetest Moments is a halal-certified caterer.
Image credit: Creme Maison Bakery
Traditional guo da li cakes get a modern facelift with Creme Maison Bakery‘s Jubilee Box ($39), which comprises four wedding-themed cupcakes. You get a pair of red cupcakes crowned with a golden dragon and phoenix design, and another duo with 双喜 words and floral decor on top. You can pick two out of four flavours for each box: Belgian Chocolate Fudge, Earl Grey Lavender, Red Velvet, and Vanilla Bean. A minimum of two boxes is required for this design.
Another unique creation worth considering is their Eden Cake Popsicles ($60), a box of four hand-designed red cake popsicles with gold accents.
Address: 30 Tai Seng Street, #08-03C, BreadTalk IHQ, Singapore 534013
Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 9am to 6pm, Tue 9am to 11am, Sat 8:30am to 5:30pm, Sun 9am to 1pm
Tel: 8181 3689
Website
Creme Maison Bakery is not halal-certified, but does not use pork, lard, or alcohol.
Image credit: @happyovensingapore
Impress your relatives with the Wedding Cake Gift Box ($13.80) from homegrown bakery Happy Oven! This old-school bakery has been around for many years, and now has two locations: Tiong Bahru and Hougang. Each set comes with eight bite-sized treats, all of which are customisable. Choose from a wide range of signature pastries and cakes, including Apple Crumble King, Chendol Cake, Classic Cream Puff, and Pandan Kaya Cake. What’s more, everything is halal-certified, so more people can enjoy the treats! Do note a minimum of 10 boxes is required for this set.
Read our Happy Oven review.
Website | Full list of outlets
Happy Oven is a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Thye Moh Chan
Homegrown brand Thye Moh Chan has been selling handmade Teochew pastries since 1943, so you know they’re a trustworthy go-to for xi bing. Their gift sets are great for those who want more variety in their guo da li packages; the Golden Joy (price TBD) set comes with four different pastries filled with sweet red bean, chewy mochi, spicy floss, and salted egg yolk. Another noteworthy choice is the Everlasting (price TBD) set, which comprises 老妈糕 (lao ma bing) AKA Granny’s Cake, a traditional wedding pastry, one giant piah, and four tau sar piah.
If you get the latter option, you can enjoy a 15% discount when you order at least 60 sets! Delivery to one location is also free when you spend at least $1000. Thye Moh Chan has multiple outlets islandwide, so you can simply drop by to enquire about the guo da li sets.
Website | Full list of outlets
Thye Moh Chan is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you know of someone getting married this year, send them this list of the best guo da li cakes and pastries to make their lives a little easier!
For more wedding-related content, read our guide to the best wedding caterers in Singapore for affordable buffets. Otherwise, read our guide to the best black sesame desserts to try, if you’re up for even more cakes.
Featured image adapted from Edith Patisserie, Pulse Patisserie, Thye Moh Chan, and 603 Tau Sar Piah
This post is brought to you by Baker’s Brew.
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