What began as an unexpected twist turned into a memorable celebration for a couple in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, who ended up holding their wedding at a hotpot restaurant—where diners cook raw ingredients in a simmering pot of broth. 

The bride, surnamed Zhao, told newspaper Guangming Daily that they had originally booked another restaurant for their wedding. However, just five days before the big day, the restaurant abruptly informed them it was closing down, forcing the couple to scramble for a new venue.

Zhao then turned her eyes to a hotpot chain known for its solid service and good food. "I remember joking once while dining there that maybe I could host my wedding here—I never imagined that it would actually happen," she said.

To their delight, the hotpot restaurant accepted their booking and enthusiastically prepared for the event. The spacious venue, which can accommodate up to 500 guests, was perfect for their 150 attendees.

The wedding feast's cost of 22,500 yuan ($3,100) was more affordable than their original plan, and guests thoroughly enjoyed the experience. To add to the festivities, Zhao and her husband even performed a pre-rehearsed lion dance.

"Many friends said they'd also consider hosting their weddings at a hotpot restaurant," Zhao said. "The festive decorations arranged by the restaurant were lovely, and we were very satisfied."

New choices 

Other than a hotpot restaurant, some couples have opted for fast-food chains like McDonald's for their ceremonies. Last September, a couple in Guangdong Province held their wedding at McDonald's, as the restaurant had been the backdrop of their relationship—from dating to proposal. The celebration featured burgers, French fries, Coca-Cola, a McNugget bouquet, and even Coke champagne, all for just around 3,000 yuan ($410).

According to social networking platform Soul App's 2025 Z-Generation Wedding Attitudes Insight Report, 78 percent of single young adults have planned their ideal weddings, as GenZs reject rigid tradition in favor of self-expression. Many find conventional weddings exhausting, with high costs and complicated arrangements ranging from banquets and venue selection to photography, decor and hosting.

The report revealed that over 40 percent of respondents prefer simple weddings, focusing on creating a relaxed atmosphere for themselves and their guests. Luxury hotels and other high-end venues are no longer the optimal options, while fast-food chains, cafés and boutique homestays—spaces where young people naturally gather, are becoming popular alternatives.

Some couples have swapped flashy luxury car processions for buses, e-bikes or even shared bicycles. Others toast with milk tea instead of alcohol. These new-style weddings may be smaller and simpler, but they retain warmth and joy. The report shows that intimate, personalized and tailor-made wedding experiences are rising trends among young consumers.

"These unconventional choices reflect the GenZ pursuit of individuality, demonstrating a broader societal shift toward self-expression," Shanghai University sociologist Chen Wei told newspaper Beijing Daily. "Increasingly, prioritizing personal happiness and celebrating individual identity are becoming the new norm."

In April, a popular influencer with millions of followers hosted a Cardcaptor Sakura-themed wedding. Cardcaptor Sakura is a beloved Japanese magical girl anime.

When the bride, dressed in an elaborate wedding gown and holding a magical wand, appeared at the center of a pink stage illuminated with a glowing magic circle, netizens marveled: "This is exactly what a shoujo manga 'final scene' (referring to the romantic climax in comics targeting teenage girls) should look like!"

According to the 2023-24 Wedding Market Trends and Consumer Insights report, released by the China Wedding Expo in 2024, modern couples prioritize quality and intricate designs, with themes ranging from gothic and dark romance to eco-friendly ones gaining popularity. AI technology also plays a role, allowing couples to preview wedding setups and incorporate more customized elements while reducing costs by 10-15 percent compared with traditional weddings.

This shift isn't just about aesthetics—it's fueling fresh business models, with new players quickly entering the market. In Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, a young couple ordered 320 cups of milk tea to replace traditional alcoholic toasts during their wedding reception. Currently, popular tea brands like Heytea and Chagee have launched wedding banquet services, offering complete packages including custom packaging, delivery and setup services, carving out a new niche in wedding customization. 

New styles 

Alongside innovative wedding trends, "New Chinese-style" weddings reviving ancient traditions like ceremonial attire and rituals are gaining popularity among young couples. However, even when embracing tradition, today's youth prefer to keep things simple and meaningful. Across China, collective weddings with traditional elements have become a trendy alternative.

On April 30, a couple in Zhejiang Province made headlines by boarding a public bus (exclusive for their wedding procession with no other passengers aboard) dressed in classic red wedding robes, and traveling to an ancestral hall in a village of Zhuji City for their ceremony. There, they held a traditional wedding steeped in local customs.

Every ritual carried deep cultural significance, including a "liquor-sealing ceremony." The groomsmen presented a jar of locally brewed liquor, which the couple then sealed with red paper and a "love lock," vowing to reopen it on their 50th anniversary.

Another couple, Xiang Jintao and his bride, chose a countryside wedding in a village in Shengzhou City of Zhejiang, a move aligned with the city's push for frugal yet culturally vibrant weddings.

Shengzhou has designated seven scenic venues for minimalist ceremonies, including rural art galleries and Yueju Opera-themed towns.

The couple tied the knot at the Liu Wenxi Art Gallery, hometown of the renowned painter Liu Wenxi, whose lifelong love story inspired them. "We chose this place not just for the landscape, but also because Liu and his wife's devotion moved us," Xiang told newspaper People's Daily.

The gallery's rustic charm set the scene, while quirky local touches like Cantonese Opera-inspired fridge magnets and toffee made with fragrant Torreya nuts added a sense of playful modernity to the festivities. "This perfect blend of timeless tradition and frugal creativity makes our wedding uniquely meaningful," Xiang said.

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

Comments to yuanyuan@cicgamericas.com