Cost of rural weddings too high to last

THE FIRST MONTH of the Chinese Lunar New Year is always the busiest season of the year for rural wedding ceremonies, which some families spend decades of savings on. Beijing News commented on Wednesday:

Some experts think the reason for the high cost of weddings in rural areas is the demographic imbalance which results in expensive betrothal gifts and the extravagant spending atmosphere.

But it is unfair to say expensive dowries and extravagant wedding ceremonies push rural families into poverty again. Even for young urban men and women, getting married is a major event that puts a heavy burden on both families.