Wendy Zhang/ Shanghai Daily news

Marriage expenses in China have increased dramatically in the new millenium. Since 2000, wedding costs have grown to 46 times what they were before the 1970s, with about 60 percent of couples spending more than 30,000 yuan (US$3,600) on marriages, according to a survey of more than 3,000 permanent residents between 14 and 60 from ten major Chinese cities, eastday.com reported today.
Before the 1970s, nearly 70 percent of residents in domestic urban areas spent less than 1,000 yuan on marriages, mainly on weddings and furniture, according to the survey.
Since 2,000, more than 90 percent of residents have expended more than 10,000 yuan on their marriages, with about 60 percent spending more than 30,000 yuan, while ten percent of Chinese spent more than 100,000 yuan on marriage costs. Weddings and interior decoration, jewelries, bridal photos, honeymoon and special services from wedding firms accounted for a major part of the costs.
Such spending pattern seems to continue.
Most Chinese people who haven't got married are expected to spend more than 30,000 yuan on marriage costs, with 40-plus percent planning to spend more than 100,000 yuan, according to the survey.