Recently, a video of two dogs holding a wedding in Shanghai has gone viral on social media in mainland China, sparking discussions and attracting attention. Residents of Shanghai have described it as overturning common sense. In the first quarter of this year, the number of registered marriages in China has plummeted drastically. Meanwhile, two dogs have boldly “tied the knot,” leaving many astonished at this unusual sight.
On social media platforms, a netizen shared a video of the wedding of two dogs in Shanghai, with a caption expressing gratitude for being invited to a dog’s wedding for the first time in life, triggering a wide range of comments and reactions.
According to a report from Cover News, on May 13, the stylist for the wedding, Mr. Xu, who is a pet groomer, stated that the two dogs getting married are Tibetan mastiffs. He usually grooms them and spent over a thousand yuan on styling one of the dogs for the wedding, marking his first participation in a pet wedding.
The report mentioned that the dog wedding was complete with a wedding car, engagement gifts, and the “Four Guardians” (wedding officiant, makeup artist, photographer, videographer). The event also invited 30 Tibetan mastiffs of the same breed along with their owners.
Mr. Xu explained that the two Tibetan mastiffs had just come of age this year. Originally, the owners planned to hold a birthday party for them but decided to have a wedding instead for some fun. He described the ceremony and venue resembling a human wedding, with the dogs exchanging tokens of love collars. The wedding took place at a pet-friendly resort destination decorated with balloons and display boards, creating a warm atmosphere.
The video of the two dogs in Shanghai holding a wedding has been widely circulated on social media in mainland China. Influential Shanghai blogger “Master Mei” expressed being greatly shocked upon watching the video, causing a collapse of his beliefs.
“Master Mei” has hundreds of thousands of followers on various domestic and international social media accounts. He commented that the dog wedding occurred on May 11, and the lavishness with which the dogs were married in Shanghai, with numerous guests and their furry companions in attendance, was incomprehensible. This stark contrast with the plummeting marriage rates among young people, along with a significant decrease in newborns, highlights a shift where dogs seem to take center stage. He pondered whether such events might become the norm in the future.
Official figures for the first quarter of this year show a total of 1.81 million couples registered for marriage nationwide, a decrease of 159,000 compared to the same period last year. It is expected that the total number of marriages for the year will reach a new low. Former editor-in-chief of Global Times, Hu Xijin, described the sharp decline in registered marriages as “deafening.” In an effort to boost marriage rates, authorities will simplify marriage registration procedures starting from May 10.
“Master Mei” remarked on the declining marriage rates among young people, understanding their reluctance due to immense work pressures. After a grueling day at work, many young people come home exhausted, leaving them with little time or energy for romantic pursuits. The prospect of marriage, involving two big families and potentially considering having children, becomes overwhelming for them.
“Master Mei” humorously noted that hosting weddings for dogs may not be illegal and could somewhat “boost the economy.” Given the current state of the Chinese economy, where consumption has decreased, organizing a dog wedding entails spending money, including giving red envelopes as gifts and possibly arranging a banquet to stimulate consumption. However, he couldn’t help but find it slightly peculiar.
Internet users have expressed various opinions on the matter, with comments such as “Dogs living better than people” and “A modern version of ‘a house of gold may stink of meat and wine, but the road has frozen bones.'”