Couple in China gains fame for wearing $22K cash garlands at wedding

A Chinese bride. Illustration photo by Pixabay

As reported by the South China Morning Post, these cash garlands were presents from the groom’s eight elder sisters and their husbands, given during the wedding held on May 15.

The New York Times highlighted that cash is a traditional gift at Asian weddings, often intended to help defray wedding costs and to fortify relationships between the couple and their guests.

A viral video on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, showed the bride and groom on stage, receiving the cash garlands, and bowing in thanks to their relatives.

A wedding couple from China’s central province of Hubei wears garlands made of 100 yuan banknotes, amounting to 160,000 yuan (US$22,060) at their nuptials. Photo from Facebook/World Forum

The idea for the garlands was unexpected. Following the death of their parents, the groom, who is the only son, received attention and care from his sisters. The sisters, along with their husbands, chose this unique way to contribute to his wedding day.

"This is such an enviable custom," the guest who captured the video praised the gesture. "Giving him money is the most direct way to support him."

However, not everyone shared this sentiment. Some online viewers criticized the overt preference for male offspring, with one commenting on the potential future pressure on the bride: "If this bride cannot give birth to a boy in the future, will she live a miserable life in an uncomfortable family atmosphere?"

"I frown on this attitude," another detractor voiced displeasure at the family dynamics. "I think this family values the male offspring too much and that is unfair to their sisters. I don’t agree with the view."