Young people in China are increasingly embracing the trend of 'three no wedding' ceremonies, with some even turning to AI to create their wedding photos. (People News/AI-generated images)
[People News] A recent news story left me with one clear thought: young people in China have truly awakened and are no longer pretending!
A couple in Huludao, Liaoning, has recently captured the internet's attention. Why? Their wedding was even more cost-effective than a typical 'three-no wedding'; they didn’t even take traditional wedding photos! Instead, they utilized free AI software, casually snapped a couple of bare-faced selfies with their phones, uploaded them to their computer, and within three hours, they had their wedding photos, electronic invitations, and on-site welcome signs all ready!
What’s even more remarkable? Mr. Yu was refreshingly honest, as his welcome photo from the wedding venue prominently displayed the watermark of the free AI software in the lower right corner! When relatives and friends received the invitation, he confidently stated, 'Yes, this was created by AI; I didn’t take any real wedding photos!'
If this had happened in the past, wouldn’t the elders in the family have been outraged? 'Oh dear, on such a joyous occasion, you didn’t even take a wedding photo; where’s your dignity? What will relatives and friends think of our family?'
Ultimately, Mr. Yu candidly shared more details: 'This morning, I helped my wife find a makeup artist for her look, and we just went to the venue to say a few words and enjoy the meal! The most important thing is to live well in the future; we can always take photos later if we want!'
This newlywed couple has humorously and incisively delivered a powerful rebuttal to the decades-long narrative of the 'consumerism trap' and the 'grand narrative of prosperity' that the Chinese Communist Party has been promoting.
Traditionally, holding a wedding in China was not merely about getting married; it was akin to 'three generations emptying their savings to stage a fake performance'.
Don’t believe it? Consider how Ms. Sun, who organized her wedding during the 'National Day' holiday, calculated her expenses:
A decent emcee costs between two and three thousand yuan; casually decorating the banquet hall with fake flowers runs three to five thousand yuan; if you want a romantic atmosphere with real flowers, the starting price exceeds ten thousand! This doesn’t even account for the wedding car fleet, exorbitant betrothal gifts, or hotel table bookings...
By the end of it all, the newlyweds are exhausted, their pockets emptied cleaner than their faces, and they are left with a mountain of debt, all to play the roles of 'prince and princess' for relatives and friends, performing a few hours of 'we are very happy' skits.
However, in today’s China, with a declining economy, soaring youth unemployment, real estate crises, and everyone being treated as 'human resources', 'leeks', and 'cattle and horses', young people have finally come to a realization—if I can’t even secure my job for tomorrow, why should I spend tens of thousands of yuan to perform for others?
Thus, Ms. Sun took a straightforward approach, eliminating all unnecessary formalities and retaining only a 10-minute tea ceremony for the parents, saving over ten thousand yuan on the wedding! She remarked, 'The money I saved will go towards a honeymoon with my husband. Isn’t that more enjoyable?'
This represents the 'counterattack' of contemporary Chinese youth!
As the authorities continuously call for boosting domestic demand, promoting consumption, and urging everyone to 'contribute their flesh and blood,' young people have opted for the most sensible means of self-preservation: I'm done playing! I'm not going into debt anymore! I'm not pretending anymore!
The shift from 'three-no weddings' to 'AI wedding photos' may seem like a trendy minimalist movement, but it actually represents the silent and profound resistance of countless young people against the current social environment. After all, appearances won't save you from unemployment, and vanity can't outweigh the burden of mortgage defaults.
When no one considers 'minimalist weddings' a regret but rather views them as 'wise self-preservation,' the consumer traps lauded by state media are no longer enticing!
Weibo influencer: This is what they truly love
Commenting on this trend, a Weibo influencer candidly remarked, 'Weddings for young people are becoming increasingly frugal.' In the past, weddings were a competition of grandeur, with emphasis on lavish displays, numerous banquets, and extravagant decorations. Now, those born in the 90s and 00s prioritize personal preference, with the trending 'three-no weddings,' minimalist weddings, and travel weddings becoming their top choices.
Reports indicate that a 'three-no wedding' entails no emcee, no wedding celebration, and no bridegroom's procession. After obtaining their marriage certificate, couples simply invite close relatives and friends for a meal, spending just a few thousand yuan to complete the event. 'Minimalist weddings' retain some traditional elements while offering a practical compromise, preserving the sense of ceremony while eliminating the cumbersome processes and decorations that were once popular, resulting in a simple yet warm celebration. 'Travel weddings' completely reject the notion of 'performing for others,' merging the wedding and honeymoon into one, where the journey itself becomes the wedding experience, which many young people consider the 'ultimate wedding experience.'
In response to these new types of weddings, many netizens expressed their envy, saying, 'Actually, reducing the cumbersome processes is quite beneficial.' Another commented, 'Honestly, if it weren't for wanting to recover the gift money I paid back then, I wouldn't want to hold any ceremony at all.' Many couples preparing for marriage even suggested, 'Getting married is really easy; I recommend promoting it nationwide!'
However, some netizens feel that taking wedding photos just once in a lifetime seems somewhat lacking when AI is involved.
Uncovering the truth behind the 'century wedding'
If we reflect on the past twenty years, how have Chinese people gradually fallen into the trap of 'luxurious weddings'?
Back then, what were news outlets and social media constantly promoting? Celebrity 'century weddings'! Diamond rings worth tens of millions, crystal wedding dresses costing hundreds of thousands, banquets priced at tens of thousands per table, and even the crystal chandeliers at the venue had to be airlifted from abroad!
Why did the party media and propaganda machine put so much effort into these reports? They framed this extreme luxury as a symbol of 'China's economic boom,' portraying it as the happy life of ordinary people in a 'great power's prosperous era!'
With the support of official media, the entire direction of public opinion in society was completely distorted!
The propaganda machine brainwashed young people, creating a highly distorted 'value assessment chart':
The more extravagant the wedding, the more face you have and the more respect you earn;
Only by hosting a grand event can you demonstrate your 'family background and strength';
Most importantly, the amount of money the groom spends is directly equated with his 'love' for the bride! The more expensive the wedding ring, the more he 'loves' you!
This reasoning is nothing short of the most absurd form of moral coercion!
Young people are particularly susceptible to trends; how can they resist such pervasive media brainwashing? Consequently, countless ordinary families are selling their possessions, depleting three generations of savings, and even taking out high-interest loans to stage a 'luxurious wedding' that lasts just a few hours, all to maintain appearances, prove their 'love', and play along with the authorities in showcasing a 'prosperous era'.
Has anyone considered why state media goes to such great lengths to promote the 'century weddings' of celebrities and affluent families? What lies behind this phenomenon?
The truth is that the authorities seek 'consumer data' and a 'facade of prosperity', while capital aims to 'empty your pockets', leaving ordinary people burdened with hundreds of thousands in debt and a sense of hollow vanity!
The 'siren song' has now lost its allure.
For the past two decades, people were eager to follow trends because they believed that 'tomorrow will be better', thinking their financial situation would improve, which led them to overspend on extravagant weddings.
However, today, as the economic downturn hits, unemployment rises, and neither capital nor society can provide any security for young people, they have finally come to a full realization:
Diamond rings do not retain their value; a crystal wedding dress costing tens of thousands is stored away to collect dust after a single use; a crystal chandelier worth tens of thousands only lights up others' eyes while draining one's hard-earned money.
When discussing how state media and businessmen conspired to brainwash young people in the past, the most iconic example is undoubtedly that diamond ring!
Do you remember how the media bombarded us with messages like, 'A love that lasts forever!' and 'The more you spend on a diamond ring, the deeper your love!' They even went so far as to suggest that diamond rings are 'hard currency' that can 'retain and appreciate in value!' As a result, diamond rings have become the most crucial 'testament of love' that is deemed absolutely necessary for marriage.
Consequently, countless young men fell into this trap. They tightened their belts and spent tens of thousands or even over a hundred thousand on a small diamond, believing this was the only way to express their love, while also making a 'foolproof investment.'
What was the outcome? Unfortunately, some couples, for various reasons, decided to separate and no longer continue their journey together. When they attempted to sell that diamond ring, which once symbolized 'eternal love and wealth,' they were in for a rude awakening! Upon arriving at the pawn shop, they learned that the ring they purchased for thirty thousand was worth only eight hundred, as the dealer coldly informed them: 'Broken diamonds are worthless; you’re mainly paying for the metal of the ring!'
At this point, did the state media report on such issues? No!
In that moment, everyone was left in tears, fully realizing the truth: what value retention? What eternity? It was all a massive deception orchestrated by capital and state media! When buying, it was 'love stronger than gold,' but when selling, it was 'not even enough for taxi fare!'
Today’s young people are becoming more discerning. Engagement rings? They’re not buying them! If they do purchase one, it’s likely a moissanite or synthetic diamond costing just a few dozen yuan, and some even opt for grass rings! This isn’t just a story; on platforms like Xiaohongshu, Douyin, and Weibo, many young couples are showcasing their 'grass ring weddings,' 'woven ring weddings,' or 'weddings featuring ten-yuan moissanite/toy rings.'
People have finally come to realize: 'If even gold may not hold its value, how can we trust the carbon elements that merchants promote? Keeping money in your own pocket is the only way to ensure you have 'real gold and silver' that retains value!'
Thus, when young people start embracing 'AI wedding photos' and 'three-no weddings,' they are effectively bursting the 'luxury balloon' that officials have inflated for the past twenty years!
In reality, true 'love' doesn’t require spending money to prove itself to outsiders. As long as you remain loyal to your partner, take responsibility for your marriage, care for one another, appreciate each other's strengths, and learn to accept each other's flaws, while also caring for both families and elders, sharing joys and facing challenges together, if you can simply do these things, your marriage will surely endure and bring happiness into old age.
(First published in People News)△
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