"Not Wedding Halls, But Resorts"... Unique Wedding Trends Among China's Generation Z

Getting Married in the Mountains, by the Sea, or in Parks
Wedding Photos, Ceremony, and Honeymoon All at Once

The wedding culture of China's Generation Z (those born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s) is undergoing a transformation. Rather than hosting large-scale ceremonies at traditional wedding halls, a growing number are opting for simple gatherings at travel destinations or resorts, attended only by close family and relatives.

According to the People's Daily on September 28, it has become increasingly popular among Generation Z to hold so-called “destination weddings,” stepping away from the complexities of wedding halls, and instead getting married in scenic locations such as mountains, beaches, parks, grassy fields, and lakesides.

Photo to assist in understanding the article. Pexels.

From Traditional Wedding Halls to Individualized Ceremonies

Photo to aid article understanding. Pexels.

Photo to aid understanding of the article. Pexels.

Zhu, who was born in 1995 and works in Beijing, decided to cancel a reservation for a traditional wedding hall that could accommodate 300 people after discussing with both sets of parents. Instead, Zhu chose to hold a simple wedding in Hainan Province, inviting only parents, close relatives, and friends, and omitting all the elaborate processes of a traditional ceremony. Zhu shared, “Initially, the elders wanted a grand wedding with hundreds of guests, which made it difficult to convince them,” but added, “In the end, with both families’ understanding, we were able to have a light and personalized wedding.”

Destination weddings are characterized by being held in picturesque locations with wedding photography, a small-scale ceremony, and even the honeymoon all in one package. The media outlet noted, “This format aligns with the lifestyle of today’s younger generation, who value a comfortable atmosphere and practical experiences.”

According to recently released statistics from the Ministry of Civil Affairs in China, there were 3,275,000 marriage registrations nationwide in the first half of this year. As those born in the 1990s and 2000s have begun entering the main marriage-eligible age brackets in recent years, there has been a distinct trend away from flashy, large-scale weddings meant to impress others, towards ceremonies that reflect the bride and groom’s personal tastes in both atmosphere and style.

From Traditional Weddings That Exceed Budgets to Ceremonies Costing Around KRW 3 Million

Photo to aid understanding of the article. Pexels.

According to Gu Yu Data's "White Paper on Insights into the Wedding Industry," the average cost of a traditional wedding within China is 174,000 yuan (approximately KRW 36 million), with over 40% of newlyweds exceeding their budgets. The cost burden has been attributed to various expenses—including venue rentals, wedding car rentals, attire and photography, as well as premium liquors and cigarettes—along with additional industry premiums.

In comparison, destination weddings conducted on a smaller scale are known for their excellent value for money. For example, in the popular region of Hainan, wedding photography packages range from 8,000 to 15,000 yuan (about KRW 1.62 million to KRW 3.04 million). The total budget for a small wedding—including interior decorations, makeup and hair, photography, event host, and ceremony management—is generally set at 30,000 to 100,000 yuan (approximately KRW 6.08 million to KRW 20.29 million).

Xiaoyang, who has worked as a wedding planner for about 10 years, said, “The most important factors in weddings these days are the atmosphere and individuality. From two months prior to the event, I communicate deeply with each engaged couple to create a customized ceremony that reflects their unique story.” Popular locations include Hainan Province and Qingdao in Shandong Province, with the Maldives and Bali also being mentioned.

“A Phenomenon Showing the Individuality and Agency of Generation Z”

However, as the market rapidly expands, some side effects have emerged. There has been a rise in cases where additional fees are demanded just before the wedding, or where inadequate contingency plans for poor weather lead to damages. The media outlet pointed out, “Because wedding service providers and engaged couples often reside in different regions, disputes that arise can result in negotiations or remediation procedures that are cumbersome and burdensome.”

Local experts have therefore emphasized that each local government should establish service standards for the wedding and cultural tourism industries, as well as develop strategies and response systems for weather, venues, and services. They also stressed the need for the industry to shift away from short-term price competition towards high-quality branding, while strengthening consumer rights protection.

Zhang Chang-Oulei, a professor at Tsinghua University's School of Journalism and Communication, commented on this wedding culture, saying, “This phenomenon vividly reveals the individuality and agency of Generation Z. Rather than trying to meet the expectations of elders or guests, they are choosing to make and cherish important life decisions for themselves, leaving special memories in the process.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.