According to market consultancy iiMedia Research, 40.4 percent of newlyweds in China spent between 50,000 to 100,000 yuan ($6,901 to $13,801) on their weddings in 2022, while 33.7 percent allocated a budget of 100,000 to 200,000 yuan ($13,801 to $27,602) for their nuptial celebrations.

The couple in Jiaxing took a minimalist approach to their big day by foregoing elements typically associated with weddings in China today. Instead of hiring a professional wedding emcee to lead the proceedings, they hosted the wedding themselves. During the ceremony, they shared their love story and thoughts on marriage with the family and friends in attendance.

In contrast to the usual grandeur often seen in Chinese weddings, their day did not include a long line of limousines, nor did it feature a traditional entourage of best men and bridesmaids.

Additionally, the bride decided not to hire a makeup artist, allowing her to skip the early morning "getting ready" routine. The venue for the wedding was not extravagantly decorated, contributing to the overall simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the event.

Wei Yaqiao, the bride, told China.cnr.cn that when she and her then fiancé told their respective parents about their plan to host a minimalist wedding, all four opposed the idea because they, in traditional fashion, considered marriage to be a union of not just two young people, but also of two families. And they were expecting a lavish ceremony to mark the occasion. It took a lot of persuading before the young couple finally got all parents on board with their unconventional plan.

But simple weddings such as theirs are swiftly gaining popularity among young people in China. According to a survey of 1,251 young people conducted by China Youth Daily newspaper earlier this year, 78.4 percent of respondents were in favor of minimalist weddings. Additionally, 64.2 percent of those surveyed believe that the rising trend of simple weddings mirrors young people's desire for individuality and freedom.

And even though minimalist weddings are characterized by a modest budget, young couples are investing more time and effort into planning for this significant event.

Time of my life 

Yu Jiawen from Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, only invited some 10 close friends to her wedding last September. She and her husband had planned every step of the celebrations themselves.

For example, at the post-dinner party, they organized a section where their friends played games together. The winners received gifts.

The couple had allocated 20,000 yuan ($2,760) for the wedding, with a significant portion of their budget dedicated to hiring a photographer and videographer. Yu wanted to capture her wedding day in an authentic manner to preserve the lovely memories.

Hosting a wedding ceremony in rarely visited scenic areas is also becoming a popular trend in the simple wedding "movement." Li Yingyu, who works in Shanghai, hosted hers at a scenic spot in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province last October.

Li told China Women's News newspaper that given she comes from Hunan Province and her husband is from Hubei Province, they couldn't settle on where to host their wedding. Plus, due to their dislike of the very many social interactions associated with traditional weddings, Li and her husband opted to host the entire thing at a tourist destination and only invited their parents.

At first, their parents had doubts, and even Li herself was unsure whether the event would proceed smoothly. However, in hindsight, the couple were very happy they had done it their way.

The wedding ceremony took place in an open space nestled between a serene lake and a snowcapped mountain. The couple thanked their parents and, in turn, the four parents offered their best wishes for the newlyweds.

Li mentioned she would have felt embarrassed to openly show gratitude to her parents in a traditional wedding setting. However, standing in the natural beauty of the wilderness, heartfelt words and emotions flowed freely.

She further emphasized that any wedding should be a personal celebration, not just a spectacle for others.

Li hopes that when she reminisces about her wedding day in the future, the memories that come to mind will be filled with joyous moments shared with her loved ones, rather than recalling a hectic and stressful day.

What made Li even happier was that her parents and parents-in-law were, in the end, also satisfied with the unconventional proceedings. During the one week they spent there together, the bond between family members strengthened.

Tying a new knot 

Yu explained that traditional weddings can often leave young couples feeling exhausted, as the newlyweds tend to simply go through the proceedings without putting some personal thought into them.

In contrast, in simpler weddings, young couples typically take the helm and experience a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

Sheng Yunying, a Beijing resident who hosted a simple wedding in one of the city's traditional courtyards last June, told China Youth Daily that traditional weddings tend to be large in scale.

"The more guests invited, the better the marriage, it seems. But many young people today don't want expensive wedding dresses or luxurious banquets, they care more about whether they are happy hosting the event. There's been a change of perception," she said.

According to a report on the wedding industry published by online booking services provider Meituan last July, young people expect their weddings to be efficient and simple, personalized and unique.

They no longer pursue large weddings but prefer customized weddings that reflect their personalities. Hosting a wedding is no longer just consumer behavior, but an opportunity to show one's attitude toward life.

However, Chen Zhongyun, a professor of political science at the School of Political Science and Public Administration at the China University of Political Science and Law, told Workers' Daily newspaper that although simple weddings are welcomed by many young people, they may not be acceptable to their parents. Young people need to communicate patiently with their parents to get their understanding and support for a minimalist wedding.

(Print Edition Title: Saying ‘I Do’ to Simplicity) 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

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