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To wed: For yourself or your parents?
(Shanghai Daily/Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-29 10:23

Situation II: Accept tradition

Case 1: Liu Kenji and Anne Nie

Although most young couples experience friction with their parents over weddings and details, some are in favor of the typical traditional Chinese wedding, like Liu and Nie who got married last December.

"It's maybe because I was deeply influenced by my parents. Actually I have never thought that I would get married without a traditional wedding," says Liu, 28, who works in a bank.

So does Nie. "We invited our family members and friends, advised them all we were getting married."

Liu also considered the wedding a chance to show his love to Nie. "If you even don't want to hold a wedding, how can you prove that you love your wife and respect your marriage? Marriage is the happiest thing in the world. So why not share with others?"

Case 2: Joe Xu and Umi Wang

Xu, 28, and Wang, 22, had a garden wedding in a villa just a few weeks ago in May. "It was hilarious, simple and romantic, exactly the ideal wedding that I imagined in my childhood," says Wang sweetly.

Compared with weddings in fancy hotels or restaurants, Wang's was East-meets-West. Xu's father gave a brief speech to congratulate the newlyweds and welcome around 200 guests; the bride changed into several gowns; the couple visited each table and proposed toasts.

"We added some interesting games to make our wedding more fun. I wanted to leave our friends and family a good memory, and I am happy that they said my wedding was the best one they had ever attended," the husband says proudly.

Born in a middle-class family, Xu traveled abroad frequently and is open-minded about tradition. "I canceled the nao dongfang, because I think the most precious part should be our vows during the ceremony."

He was a bit disappointed, however, due to the presence of so many "strangers" invited by their parents.

"To be honest, I didn't like to invite so many people I don't know. But we have to respect our parents," he sighs.