Weddings are not just the most significant event in the lives of the Chinese, they are also an event that the average Chinese citizen factually spends the most money on. The children of a generation that was only allowed to give birth to one child are reaching the age of marriage, and their parents are looking to hold the most luxurious wedding they can afford. This year China also marks the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic, and many couples are opting to tie the knot on October 1. Since Labor Day on May 1, Beijing has seen a substantial increase in the number of couples who are registering for marriage, and the growing trend in the Chinese wedding market is expected to continue in the years to come. This is good news for the Chinese wedding industry, which includes various service providers as well as the local fine jewellery industry.
The Asia-Pacific Wedding Photography and Wedding Supplies Expo (WPWS) served as proof that the industry is indeed blooming. Visitors were met with a marvelous display of wedding gowns, traditional Chinese dresses, luxurious wedding rings, photography studios and more.
Traffic at the section dedicated to photography studios was particularly brisk. Many young couples spent their time there, searching for the exact style to immortalise their dream wedding. Photography studios have become surprisingly popular, thanks to their ability to adjust themselves to the particular requests of the couples and to lower prices than bridal shops.
These couples also spent some time at the jewellery section, which presented a wide variety of wedding bands and other items of jewellery for the big day. Companies that provide additional services for weddings were displayed next to the jewellery stands, which made this expo a perfect solution for young couples and their families with everything they need under one roof.
The global financial crisis has not completely skipped China, and this no doubt affects the budget many couples set aside for the big day. Many people in China set the limit for their expenses at 10,000 yuan. Even simple ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular. However, the crisis cannot stop the booming wedding market in China.
The Chinese wedding market is getting another push from new stores that are opening on the Internet at an amazing rate. These stores provide consumers with invitations, wedding rings and other items at very good prices, which can sometimes amount to 50 percent of the prices at brick-and-mortar stores.
The wedding industry in China is taking a huge leap forward this year with the development of a national standards system for the industry, which will bind the various service providers to comply with proper procedures and eradicate some of the loopholes characteristic of the industry. This system of standards is expected to be tested and approved by the end of the year, thus giving this blooming industry the support it needs, as is customary in developed economies.