As wedding costs soar love hurts

Weddings are not only about love, they're also money.

To celebrate this important event in their lives, members of the post-80s generation in Shanghai are facing huge costs, which are vying with those of the United States and Europe, a recent survey has revealed.

The survey, conducted by Shanghai Chan Link International Inc.A supplier based in Shanghai Marriage Service, found that in accordance with the growing wealth of China's population, the cost of the medium for the wedding ceremony premium in Shanghai is also high as 400,000 yuan ($ 61,000).

"I want the best wedding I can," said 26-year, the GAO Jimin, an office worker in Shanghai, which plans to spend at least 400,000 yuan for his wedding in October. She said that it had already spent about 7000 yuan on her wedding dress, and planned to spend 300,000 yuan for the banquet and another 130,000 yuan on the rings.

"I know that the cost of my wedding is a little above average, but it is a manifestation of life," she said. "I am willing to pay for it."

However, all the younger people can afford a luxury wedding.

"A wedding is an expensive event, but we have to do anyway," said Xu Juncheng 29 year’s couturier, who will also marry in October.

Xu spent a year planning her wedding. "We went to every wedding show we were able to get the best price," he said.

Xu said that the budget for her wedding is about 120,000 to 150,000 yuan, which includes almost everything, pictures, banquet and honeymoon.

"Several sections of the wedding ceremony are required by our parents, who set standards such as class hotel. We just decided to details, "he said.

In China, includes a complete wedding photography, wedding, banquet, dresses, wedding rings and honeymoon. Sometimes a new apartment and the car are mandatory, according to the couple `s financial position.

A consultant anonymous history of marriage, a company based in Shanghai Marriage Service, told China Daily that the cost of a wedding is more and more each year.

"` We have arranged a wedding that cost as high as 800,000 yuan, "she said.”The couple hosted a reception for at least 1 000 people. A table of 10 guests costs an average of 10,000 yuan. "Usually, parents pay for the wedding. Few people younger can afford to pay for their own wedding." Also, in China a wedding ceremony is essentially a means for parents the couple’s to prove their financial status."

The consultant said that most young people prefer elegant weddings; final decisions are usually made by their parents. She also said that the normal price for a wedding in his company is about 200,000 yuan.

"With the wedding cars, rings and other small gifts for guests, 400,000 yuan is a reasonable price," she said. "We have served more than 200 couples last year."