Special effects and virtual guests: China weddings go online | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
June 17, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025
Special effects and virtual guests: China weddings go online

Offbeat

BSS/AFP
10 May, 2020, 01:00 pm
Last modified: 10 May, 2020, 02:36 pm

Related News

  • Chinese acting ambassador meets BNP secretary general
  • 4 including doctor tested positive for new variant of Covid-19 in Cumilla
  • China's UN envoy condemns Israeli strikes on Iran: state media
  • Health alert issued at Mongla Port to prevent Covid spread
  • Bangladesh records 2 Covid-related deaths, 15 new cases in 24 hours

Special effects and virtual guests: China weddings go online

Wedding via online livestreaming is extremely popular in China, some young couples are allowing anyone to watch their big day and even send them gifts

BSS/AFP
10 May, 2020, 01:00 pm
Last modified: 10 May, 2020, 02:36 pm
Special effects and virtual guests: China weddings go online

Like many couples in the era of social distancing, Ma Jialun and Zhang Yitong held their wedding ceremony online by livestreaming the event where they invited more than 100,000 strangers.

Coronavirus lockdowns and travel restrictions have forced people around the world to delay their nuptials or adapt to the unusual times by celebrating via web link.

But in China wedding via online livestreaming is extremely popular, some young couples are allowing anyone to watch their big day and even send them gifts.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Creative entrepreneurs are also cashing in, offering people the option to spice up their ceremony with special effects.

When groom Ma and his bride Zhang got married in the eastern city of Hangzhou on May 1, more than 100,000 impromptu guests watched it live on video-streaming site Bilibili, leaving likes, comments and virtual coins and gifts.

Just a dozen people were able to join in person.

The pair were originally planning to have the ceremony in January but were left trapped in different cities as the virus outbreak brought the country to a halt.

Public gatherings including wedding parties were banned.

Wedding preparations are now restarting since all provinces in China have lifted their top-level state of emergency and life is beginning to show some return to normality.

However, banquets and big gatherings are still not allowed, leaving an online celebration as a preferred option.

Ma joined Zhang just one day before their wedding as Beijing lifted quarantine measures on all returnees after the couple's three-month separation.

"This epidemic has made us feel that we could become each other's strength," said Ma.

The pair said they wanted to share their big day online to do something meaningful during the epidemic.

"It's good to share our happiness with more people, even unknown netizens," said Ma.

Millions of guests

Liu Wenchao, an online teacher, was one of the first to make livestreamed weddings popular in China.

In accordance with tradition, his parents selected March 20 for his wedding eight months before the date, believing it was lucky based on Liu and his partner's birthdays.

But the carefully-laid plans were disrupted by the virus outbreak. Because of the restrictions on travel and gatherings, Liu's parents in northern China were not able to attend their son's big day, and nor could the couple's friends and relatives.

Thanks to his online teaching experience, Liu had the idea of livestreaming their wedding ceremony.

"I have used livestreaming for online courses for nearly a year. I thought, if we livestream our wedding, my family and students can join the wedding too," he said.

Liu and his bride had a very simple ceremony in front of the camera — they exchanged rings, made a toast and ate wedding candy in their bridal chamber all by themselves.

As is common in China, the legal registration of the marriage had already been completed.

The video of the ceremony posted on Bilibili has become a hit, with more than five million views and over 860,000 likes.

"I didn't expect so many people would love our wedding video," Liu said.

"Maybe people are in need of watching good news during this long epidemic."

'Endless possibilities'

While many couples are content with a simple ceremony, livestreaming platform Huajiao has used special effects to give one of its employees their dream wedding.

"When we were designing the wedding, the bride told us that her dream wedding would be held in a hot-air balloon in front of a castle, so we used the special effects to make her dream come true," said Huajiao's online wedding event organiser Liu Qi.

He thinks these special effects and the chance to share the fun on social media will appeal to young Chinese people.

"It may be difficult to realise in the real world, but there are endless possibilities online," Liu said.

More than 50 couples have already signed up for an online wedding package.

"Young couples have more and more diverse demands," said Liu.

"But this kind of online wedding may become a new option for couples in the future even when the epidemic ends."

Coronavirus chronicle / Top News

Online / Marriage / Livestreaming / China / COVID-19

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, February 16, 2025. Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
    Killing Khamenei will end conflict: Netanyahu
  • Rising default loans threaten jobs, growth, trade
    Rising default loans threaten jobs, growth, trade
  • Bangladesh gains bigger share in US apparel market as China loses ground, sees 29% export growth in Jan-Apr
    Bangladesh gains bigger share in US apparel market as China loses ground, sees 29% export growth in Jan-Apr

MOST VIEWED

  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Merger of 5 Islamic banks at final stage: BB governor
  • UCB launches Bangladesh's first microservices-based open API banking platform
    UCB launches Bangladesh's first microservices-based open API banking platform
  • Photo: Collected
    Pakistan rejects reports of missile supply to Iran
  • Infographic: TBS
    Non-performing loans surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed
  • BSEC seeks roadmap from 60 firms on Tk30cr capital compliance
    BSEC seeks roadmap from 60 firms on Tk30cr capital compliance
  • Former Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem. Photo: Collected
    ACC launches inquiry against ex-Bangladesh envoy Saida Muna, husband over laundering Tk2,000cr

Related News

  • Chinese acting ambassador meets BNP secretary general
  • 4 including doctor tested positive for new variant of Covid-19 in Cumilla
  • China's UN envoy condemns Israeli strikes on Iran: state media
  • Health alert issued at Mongla Port to prevent Covid spread
  • Bangladesh records 2 Covid-related deaths, 15 new cases in 24 hours

Features

The GLS600 overall has a curvaceous nature, with seamless blends across every panel. PHOTO: Arfin Kazi

Mercedes Maybach GLS600: Definitive Luxury

14h | Wheels
Renowned authors Imdadul Haque Milon, Mohit Kamal, and poet–children’s writer Rashed Rouf seen at Current Book Centre, alongside the store's proprietor, Shahin. Photo: Collected

From ‘Screen and Culture’ to ‘Current Book House’: Chattogram’s oldest surviving bookstore

1d | Panorama
Photos: Collected

Kurtis that make a great office wear

3d | Mode
Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

5d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Phulbari, Banglabandha Borders Closed Due to Protests by Indian Truck Workers

Phulbari, Banglabandha Borders Closed Due to Protests by Indian Truck Workers

2h | TBS World
Why is China's economy not booming?

Why is China's economy not booming?

2h | Others
An additional 36 countries may be added to the travel restrictions imposed by the United States.

An additional 36 countries may be added to the travel restrictions imposed by the United States.

5h | TBS World
NPLs surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed

NPLs surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed

5h | TBS Insight
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net