A couple in eastern China has gained widespread attention for their unconventional wedding, which deliberately omitted several traditional elements in favor of a guest-centric celebration. Bride Zhu and groom Wang, both in their early 30s from Zhejiang province, spent their entire 70,000 yuan (approximately ₹9.94 lakh) budget on elaborate food and cash gifts for attendees across two separate banquets.
The 'Four No's' Approach to a Modern Wedding
Dubbed a “four no’s” wedding by the couple, their ceremonies in Ningbo and Taizhou, Zhejiang, notably skipped a series of customary practices. These included the traditional bride pick-up from her home, a fleet of luxury wedding cars, a hired master of ceremonies, and a professional videographer. Furthermore, Zhu and Wang opted against having groomsmen or bridesmaids, thereby avoiding the customary wedding hazing rituals.
The couple, who described themselves as introverts, explained their decision stemmed from a desire to avoid bustling scenes and prevent inconvenience to their relatives and friends. “I have attended some large weddings before. I found that the newlyweds, their parents and their guests were all tired. So I hoped to simplify my wedding,” Zhu stated, emphasizing that the stress of organizing a grand event was not worth the potential toll on their parents' health.
Lavish Feasts and Generous Gifts
Despite cutting traditional expenses, the couple did not compromise on hospitality. In Ningbo, they hosted hundreds of guests at a banquet featuring 45 tables, spending the full 70,000 yuan on expensive seafood and other lavish dishes. Breaking from the Chinese custom of giving cigarettes as wedding favors, Zhu instead distributed red envelopes containing 200 to 300 yuan (around ₹2,840 to ₹4,260) to each guest, noting that few of her guests smoked.
Speeches were also kept notably brief; Zhu’s father spoke for only 41 seconds, expressing gratitude and wishing guests an enjoyable meal. While initial reactions from their parents were hesitant, they eventually supported the couple’s vision.
Capturing Memories Without a Camera Crew
Although they forewent a videographer, believing “no one would watch the video after the wedding,” the couple did arrange for wedding photos. These were taken at Yulong Snow Mountain, a scenic tourist destination in Yunnan province, southwestern China. “It is meaningful to me because the photos were taken at a place I like,” Zhu shared.
The simplified Chinese wedding quickly went viral after being picked up by major domestic media outlets. Guest reactions were largely positive, with Zhu’s aunt, Lu, praising the banquet. “But the banquet was wonderful. The food was the most delicious I have ever had,” Lu cheerfully told the media. Public opinion was mixed, with many supporting the couple’s pragmatic approach, while others felt the lack of traditional celebrations might lead to future regrets.