* Many Chinese young couples now gravitate toward cost-effective, experiential and simplified weddings.
* Experts believe that traditional weddings entail a complex series of ceremonies rooted in history, which is impractical in today's fast-paced lifestyle. Simplified weddings are a logical and natural choice for young couples.
* More personalized wedding ceremonies among young Chinese reflect that some individuals shifting from a collectivist mindset to an individualist one.
CHONGQING, April 5 (Xinhua) -- As Gen Z and those born after 2000 gradually enter into marriage, the styles of weddings among young people have grown increasingly diverse in recent years.
In stark contrast to the traditional grand and ceremonious weddings with intricate rituals, many young couples now gravitate toward cost-effective, experiential and simplified weddings. This trend has emerged as a defining shift in the wedding industry.
LESS IS MORE
Lin Mo, 34, attended a friend's wedding in east China's Fujian Province, which was a typical Chinese-style ceremony featuring many rituals and formalities.
Lin said she felt exhausted after witnessing the marriage customs, which usually involve the bride waking up around 5:00 a.m., meticulously applying makeup, greeting numerous relatives and guests, and enduring lengthy proceedings until late at night.
"It felt like a marathon. Despite being just a bridesmaid, I was utterly spent," Lin recalled, noting that this experience encouraged her to streamline her own wedding ceremony.
When organizing their wedding, Lin and her husband opted out of a luxury car fleet, large groups of bridesmaids and groomsmen, and various other ceremonies. The couple took charge as their own emcees, and the main ceremony was kept succinct, lasting only 10 minutes, during which they exchanged heartfelt vows and rings.
"I think the wedding is very personal and not for showing off. Hence, we focused on what truly mattered to us and retained only the most important parts bearing emotional value," said Lin, a video game artist in Shanghai.
Chao Jingjie, 25, opted to use around 10,000 yuan (about 1,410 U.S. dollars) that would have been spent on a luxury car fleet during the wedding for their honeymoon instead.
"Traditional weddings in China entail a complex series of ceremonies rooted in history, which is impractical in today's fast-paced lifestyle. Simplified weddings are a logical and natural choice for young couples," said Mei Zhigang, an associate professor at the School of Sociology, Central China Normal University.
SIMPLIFIED NOT SUPERFICIAL
For many young couples, simplicity does not mean sacrificing the fun; instead, they integrate their innovative and unique ideas into their wedding ceremonies, prioritizing meaningful elements over extravagant ones.
According to Li Yingyu, 28, her wedding was an expedition. She and her husband, accompanied by their parents, traveled to snow-capped mountains in southwest China's Sichuan Province, where they held a small ceremony amid the breathtaking landscape.
"We might be the first couple to marry here. The scenery was stunning, and the trip was filled with mysteries and surprises," said Li, noting that initial skepticism from friends turned into admiration and awe.
At a marriage registration office in the Liangjiang New Area in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, many couples were seen eschewing wedding dresses and suits but wearing traditional Chinese attires, Hanfu, or costumes of their favorite anime characters.
"I want to create our unique wedding memories," said Ding Hongjuan, 26, who hails from Chongqing and donned Hanfu on the special day.
"This trend reflects young couples' pursuit of personalized and distinctive weddings," said Jian Lili, an official of the civil affairs administration center of Liangjiang New Area.
Jian added that while traditional weddings place great importance on selecting auspicious dates, an increasing number of young people are choosing special commemorative days that are convenient for them.
"More personalized wedding ceremonies among young Chinese reflect that some individuals shifting from a collectivist mindset to an individualist one," Mei said.
In collectivist cultures, people seek recognition through various aspects, including marriage. However, many young individuals now prioritize personal feelings and self-satisfaction, embracing an individualistic lifestyle, according to Mei. ■
(Video reporter: Yang Shiyan; Video editors: Zhang Yueyuan, Li Qin, Liu Yutian, Luo Hui)
