A wedding in China's Yunnan province saw an unexpected surge of attendees when over 10,000 strangers responded to the groom's online appeal for guests. Xu Chenghong, 24, had posted on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, expressing concern that the remote village location might deter attendees for his marriage to Luo Chui.
The plea, made under the name Xiao Xiao Xu, quickly gained traction, leading to a massive turnout of well-wishers who traveled from various locations. These guests arrived within days of the initial post and, adapting to the groom's request not to bring cash gifts, brought practical items such as freezers, electric heaters, and food for the banquet. Some attendees also contributed services, with chefs assisting in the feast preparation and a stranger offering free makeup services for the bride.
An online influencer reportedly drove from their village to gift the couple 9,999 roses. The event was moved to the town square to accommodate the large number of guests. Local media outlets highlighted the event as a testament to the power of the internet to foster connection and community, with Yunnan Television describing it as proof that "strangers could become family, and that the internet can convey the most personal emotions."
The groom, Xu Chenghong, had a challenging upbringing after his father's death, being raised by his grandmother who later passed away. He supported himself through various jobs, including construction sites and factories, and later by running a food stall. He managed to save approximately 128,000 yuan (£14,300) for the dowry, a significant sum required in modern China. However, local reports indicated that the father-in-law returned the dowry, prioritizing the groom's financial needs.
The wedding's unexpected success and widespread attendance occur against a backdrop of declining marriage registrations in China. In May, the Ministry of Civil Affairs reported that marriage registrations had fallen to a decade low, continuing a trend of demographic challenges including population decline and record low birth rates. Authorities have introduced various measures to encourage marriage and childbirth, such as family subsidies and childcare support.