Discussions among young people in China about planning "simple" weddings instead of traditional ceremonies involving hundreds of guests have become one of the trending topics on social media. This follows the publication of an article by the government agency responsible for women's rights, urging cost-saving measures for wedding expenses.
The article, published by the All-China Women’s Federation and trending on the Chinese search engine Baidu on Tuesday, stated that the costs and time required to organize large weddings are exhausting for engaged couples. Suggested cost-saving measures include foregoing rituals such as renting luxury cars, hiring expensive photographers, and providing souvenirs for guests. It encourages hosting a small celebration with family and close friends.
Two engaged couples interviewed reported spending around 6,000 yuan (approximately $831) on their weddings, significantly less than traditional weddings that can exceed 200,000 yuan (about $27,700).
The article emphasized that shifting to a more simplistic style is important for developing positive future customs. It stated, "From a social perspective, lavish celebrations for joyous occasions are a bad habit... the prevalence of simple weddings meets the demand for lower-cost weddings and will help cultivate a good habit."
This article comes at a time when the number of new marriages in China increased by about 12.4% year-on-year in 2023, ending a decade-long decline, as many held their weddings after postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Policymakers are trying to reverse the decline in birth rates following a second consecutive year of population decrease in China in 2023. Marriage rates in China are closely linked to birth rates, meaning that an increase in marriages could lead to more births and help mitigate the population decline in 2024.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang committed in March to work towards "a society that encourages childbirth and promotes balanced population development in the long term, as well as reducing the costs of childbirth, child-rearing, and education." Many young people have delayed marriage and starting families due to rising costs. A prominent Chinese research institution stated in February that China is one of the most expensive places in the world to raise a child, relative to its GDP per capita.
