Group wedding in Shandong's Juye: Embracing new traditions, strong values

A Chinese-style group wedding ceremony featuring 15 couples is held on May 20 in Juye county, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

On May 20, a day filled with love, the Linzhou People's Square in Juye county, Shandong province, exuded a unique romantic atmosphere. Fifteen couples tied the knot in a simple yet dignified manner, setting a vibrant example for the county in promoting virtuous customs and values.

The event featured a Chinese-style stage design themed on "Truth, simplicity, and love", exuding a sense of ancient elegance. Surrounding the venue were informative boards promoting the reform of customs and the dissemination of knowledge related to civilized practices and new cultural trends.

This group wedding served as a vivid example of breaking away from old customs and embracing new ones. The event simplified wedding procedures and did away with extravagance and waste, addressing issues like high dowries and lavish ceremonies. With the government and society as witnesses, couples were able to solemnize their union without the burden of elaborate preparations.

"This elegant and harmonious collective wedding embodies simplicity, dignity, and harmony. It advocates for a new era of virtuous and healthy practices, allowing the winds of civilization to cleanse our land," said Ma Chao, a staff member at the civil affairs bureau of Heze.

Newlyweds Li Wenshen and Xiao Yao expressed in their declaration of love, "This wedding is not only romantic but also meaningful, showcasing the care of society and strengthening our determination to build a happy family together."

The group wedding, through its civilized practices, customs reforms, and promotion of better values, has provided a model for modernizing wedding customs and injected vigor into the county's development of a more spiritual society.

In recent years, Juye county has been deepening its customs reforms, creating the "Truth, simplicity and love" brand for joyous occasions. With four such civilized collective weddings held to date, it is gradually becoming a trendsetter in wedding culture. (Edited by Xie Zhenzhen)