Simplified Weddings: Chinese Couples Opt for Intimate Celebrations

A growing number of young couples in China are opting for "simplified" weddings, removing some of the more traditional components such as expensive luxury car fleets, excessive gift-giving, and elaborate games. In a recent Weibo post that gained over 100 million views, a young couple shared their experience of having a "much newer" wedding, where they removed seven common wedding rituals.

Instead of a grand ceremony, the couple opted for a more intimate celebration with just their immediate family and friends present. They ditched the traditional practices such as the father handing over the bride to the groom, older relatives speaking at the event, a long convoy of luxury cars to pick up the bride, and games before the groom can make it inside the bride's home.

The bride, Xiaotong, discussed her decision with her husband and parents and decided to omit some of the more extravagant and time-consuming components of a traditional wedding. In response to the post, Xiaotong received support from many Weibo users who praised her for her courage and decision to have a more intimate and personal wedding.

Some Twitter users highlighted the importance of respecting the bride's opinion and understanding the support she received from her husband's family. One user said, "What's special about these simplified weddings is the respect and support that the bride receives from her husband's family."

Apart from Xiaotong's case, many Chinese social media users are advocating for "four-no" weddings, meaning no pick-up, no host, no blockage of the door, and no bridesmaids or groomsmen. One user said, "I don't know what the fuss is about. These seven components were original to the wedding. How complicated must the original ceremony have been?"

Another user praised the couple for their innovative approach to a wedding by saying, "If only the 'simplified' wedding trend was more widespread, maybe people would be calling for the end of the wedding ceremony itself!"

The popularity of the simplified wedding trend is not only limited to China's younger generation. A couple in Zhejiang, China, decided to exchange vows in a minimalist fashion by spending only 30,000 RMB on their wedding. The bride, Wu, said, "We wanted our wedding to be a comfortable and enjoyable event. It has been well received by our friends and families."

The trend towards more simplistic and intimate weddings in China is being fuelled by an increased desire among millennials to break away from traditional customs and do things their own way. This shift also reflects a growing frustration over the rising costs associated with elaborate weddings, including the costly "red envelopes" that are given to the couple as a gift.

"Simplified weddings are a growing trend, and it's not hard to see why," said Jiuxue, a young Chinese bride, who felt the need to have a more intimate wedding due to the pandemic. "We want our wedding to be a celebration of our love, and not a display of wealth or extravagance."

While some Weibo users defended the traditional components of a Chinese wedding, highlighting that they are an important part of the cultural identity and symbolise the unification of two families, others felt that the time and money were better spent on more essential things, such as paying off the mortgage, investing in a business, or starting a family.

Another Weibo user who goes by the name of Youyou shared her experience of having a "four-no" wedding. "We had a lot of fun planning our wedding. Our guests enjoyed themselves, and we didn't have to worry about the extravagance that often surrounds Chinese weddings," she said. "I hope this trend will continue to grow and other couples will take the opportunity to personalize their own special day."

In conclusion, while some may view these simplified weddings as a departure from Chinese tradition, others see it as an opportunity to create a more intimate, modern celebration that better reflects their individual personalities and beliefs. As the trend towards simpler and more personal weddings continues to grow, we can expect to see more couples opting for this type of celebration in the years to come.