YILIANG COUNTY, Yunnan province — A 24-year-old man from a remote village in Southwest China faced a personal dilemma ahead of his wedding: too few relatives could attend. Xu Chenghong had saved 167,500 yuan for the ceremony but, after losing his father at age three, seeing his mother remarry, and losing his grandmother who raised him, he had very few family members willing or able to join him.
Rather than accept a quiet ceremony, Xu posted an open invitation on Douyin, China's short-video platform, on Oct. 25. He wanted people to come, share a meal and help make the occasion feel like a proper celebration. The response far exceeded expectations.
People from different parts of China traveled to Yiliang county, bringing food, flowers, gifts and volunteering to help with arrangements. Several chefs offered to cook for the guests, and some reportedly organized a fleet of wedding cars. One guest even offered a Maybach for the couple's use. As more people arrived, Xu's home could no longer accommodate the gathering. Local officials helped move the celebration to a larger venue. Hotels in Luowang township were fully booked and local restaurants saw a surge in business as visitors arrived.
The wedding took place on Oct. 31. More than 10,000 people attended the ceremony, where Xu married Chuichui. The couple exchanged rings and bowed before the crowd. Later, they celebrated with a bonfire dance in traditional Miao clothing. Xu asked guests not to give cash gifts, urging them instead to travel safely and look after their belongings.
The overwhelming response prompted discussion online. Some netizens questioned whether the invitation had been planned as a marketing exercise, while others raised concerns about accommodation, traffic and practical arrangements. Xu had informed the village committee about the invitation and reminded people to prioritize safety.
Despite the questions, the wedding became a large gathering of people who had travelled to celebrate a couple they had never met, reflecting a spontaneous display of grassroots solidarity in rural China.
