The Transition of Chinese Marriage and Family System The Parent's Order And Matchmaker's Words (父母之命，媒妁之言) . The authority in a marriage choice rests with parents;the role of the matchmaker is as a source of information and advice,not authority. A matchmaker might be a friend or relative of the bride or groom or might be a professional or semi-professional person who made it his or her business to find mates for a fee. First wed,then love.◆ The Parent's Order And Matchmaker's Words （父母之命，媒妁之言） The authority in a marriage choice rests with parents; the role of the matchmaker is as a source of information and advice, not authority. A matchmaker might be a friend or relative of the bride or groom or might be a professional or semi-professional person who made it his or her business to find mates for a fee. First wed, then love. The Transition of Chinese Marriage and Family System