‘One-day marriage’ boom in rural China sees single men pay ‘professional brides’ US$500 to secure ancestral grave burial rights, sparking online debate

Poor rural men who cannot get a wife fork out cash to ‘actresses’ for fake nuptials in bid to secure cushy afterlife. Tradition has it that burial in a family’s ancestral grave ensures you will be ‘looked after’ in death. — SCMP

It looked just like an ordinary village wedding in northern China as an emcee gave a speech in front of dozens of relatives and friends on July 7.

“Let us celebrate the new couple who are holding their solemn wedding ceremony today, and wish them a lifetime of happiness,” the host said.