Chill, happiness — young couples say 'I do' to creative nuptials

Love, my way

In addition, young couples are not comfortable with occupying the spotlight throughout the wedding event. They are inviting more of their peers to the ceremony, and trying their best to engage them in playful and fun activities.

Parents, who used to have the final say in wedding logistics, have begun staying in the background, according to Pei. "Some parents will provide funds only and give their children full autonomy, although some still intervene in guest invitations and other affairs," she said.

As the size of households in China is becoming smaller, young couples will become more independent than their parents' generation when planning weddings. The old practice of parents using their children's wedding as an opportunity to develop and showcase social connections is gradually disappearing.

However, a strong sense of family remains ingrained in some young wedding couples.

Wu, the bride who took a bus to her wedding, said that she cared about the experiences of her parents and in-laws no less than those of her peers, and she valued their advice.

When her mother-in-law opposed hiring a public bus, Wu put great effort into persuading her it was a good idea by sharing successful examples from other couples.

In the end, it was a great relief to hear older people speaking highly of her wedding, she added.

"To my surprise, a friend told me that he shared my wedding with his younger brothers and sisters at home, and these youngsters, fearful of marriage, had expressed a longing for marriage," she said.

Zhai Jiayi and Fang Biling contributed to the story.