Couples in China are replacing traditional lavish weddings with nuptials in fast food chain outlets. - Photo: SCMP composite/Xiaohongshu
BEIJING: Young Chinese couples are breaking away from the custom of lavish wedding ceremonies in favour of cheap and cheerful celebrations at McDonald’s outlets and Haidilao hotpot restaurants.
Traditional Chinese weddings are well known for their extravagance, but younger generations are opting for the pared-back approach with their choice of venues.
The shift means couples avoid complex rituals, such as endless rounds of toasting, and eliminates concerns about the weather for outdoor weddings. It also makes the event more affordable.
Unlike luxury hotel weddings, which often require hefty deposits for the venue and catering, fast-food bookings can be secured for a minimum spend and guest count.
Moreover, the venues provide a playful and youthful backdrop for the big day.
For instance, staff at Haidilao, the popular Chinese hotpot chain, will enthusiastically decorate the branch and sing wedding songs for the couple and the guests.
At McDonald’s, which is already a popular venue for children’s birthday parties worldwide, couples can even have wedding bouquets made from McNuggets, adding nostalgia and fun to the nuptials.
One bride, called Xiaoyezi, from southern China’s Guangdong province, invited about 20 guests to her wedding – a really small number compared to traditional events – and celebrated with a meal at the famous US burger joint.
“When we were in school we used to date at McDonald’s. Every time a combo with Hello Kitty toys was released, he would buy it for me,” she told Life Lab.
Xiaoyezi said hosting a wedding at a branch of the fast-food chain in the suburbs of Foshan in Guangdong province required only a minimum spend of 800 yuan (US$110) in total on the meals.
The entire wedding cost less than 2,000 yuan, which included food and decorations.
“More than 20 people sat together at McDonald’s, toasting with Coke instead of wine, with hamburgers and fries in abundance. We chatted and ate, and afterwards we played on the slides in the playground area, even receiving well-wishes from strangers. It was truly an unforgettable day,” Xiaoyezi said.
Another bride, Li Mengmeng, based in Shanghai, chose Haidilao for her wedding.
She was relieved she did not have to worry about the varied tastes of her guests, as the double-flavour hotpot catered for everyone.
“One of my colleagues even humorously remarked that my wedding invitation was essentially a free hotpot meal voucher,” she said.
While some criticised the casual approach to the big day, these young couples have moved beyond such concerns, choosing to spend their money on things that are more meaningful to them.
After saving over 100,000 yuan (US$14,000) by having her wedding at McDonald’s, Xiaoyezi chose to spend that amount on the wedding photos which were taken in the Aegean Sea in Greece.
Li is reallocating the funds to renovate her new home.
“While a lavish wedding may look impressive, I prefer to invest my hard-earned money by improving my everyday life rather than being the centre of attention for just one day,” Li said.
Many netizens strongly supported the new way of hosting weddings.
“This is so great! Every time they go to McDonald’s, it’ll be like celebrating their wedding anniversary,” one person said.
“What young people need is a wedding that allows them to express themselves,” said another. - South China Morning Post
