Emperor Guangxu's wedding costume is on display at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Nov 29, 2016. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

The grand weddings of the Qing emperors were among the most dignified celebrations within the Forbidden City. And now the grandeur has been unveiled to the public.

The exhibition entitled "Ceremony and Celebration: The Grand Weddings of the Qing Emperors" opened at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Hong Kong on Nov 29, 2016. It showcases 153 items selected from rare and unique collections of the Palace Museum, including jewelry, an imperial robe and portraits of emperors.

Throughout the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), only four emperors, namely Shunzhi, Kangxi, Tongzhi and Guangxu, had the opportunity of taking an empress after their accession to the throne and held their wedding ceremonies inside the Forbidden City. The stately weddings of the Qing emperors involved extremely elaborate rituals, inheriting Han marriage rites as well as incorporating elements of Manchu culture and customs.

These documents, portraits, costumes, personal ornaments, dowry objects, wedding ritual objects and court musical instruments on display will explain the processes of imperial weddings. The exhibition will last until Feb 27, 2017.