Paris is sealing its reputation as the city of love for young, wealthy Chinese brides and grooms. Couples are flocking to Paris to have their wedding pictures taken at the Eiffel Tower and along the banks of the Seine. There are times when a line of fairytale brides in couture white dresses are three and four deep, waiting for their turn in front of what many consider the most romantic backdrop in the west.
Taking Tradition on the Road
It is customary for Chinese couples to have their wedding pictures taken a year or so in advance of the big day so the photographs may be displayed at the reception. For Chinese couples of means, the photo shoot often involves a foreign location. In recent years, several prominent sites have emerged as favorite backdrops. The Greek islands offer the piercing blue background of the sea, while Prague boasts a romantic old world European skyline of brick and stone. Paris, however, is the current front-runner for affluent Chinese couples.
Wedding Tourism
Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe and the Left Bank of the Seine may make for stunning scenery for a photo shoot, but young Asian men and women are also drawn to the areas by the shopping. In 2006, about 420,000 Chinese tourists travelled to France. The most recent numbers put the total closer to 1.7 million. Some reports say that Chinese visitors, led by these future married couples, typically spent 3,400 Euros while visiting France. A good 1,000 of those Euros was spent in the famous shops of Paris.
Not Just Paris
Couples from other Asian countries besides China are picking up on the trend. It is common to see brides and grooms from Vietnam and elsewhere posing on a picturesque Parisian bridge. As the fashion of European wedding photos becomes more popular, it is not surprising to see couples from all over Asia making their way through the streets of London in the wee hours. The optimal time to take advantage of architectural attractions such as St. Paul's Cathedral or the Tower Bridge is early in the morning, when most of the summer tourists are still sleeping and the streets are empty except for the rubbish collectors. The rising sun lends an otherworldly glow to the foggy city. It is ideal scenery for a romantic wedding montage.
Memories for a Lifetime
In years past, Chinese couples may have had a single photo taken to display at their ceremonies and receptions. Now, professional packages include a full shoot, complete with clothing and hair changes. The results are displayed at the event itself and distributed through the Internet. A full package may include:
- A slideshow to be shown on a big screen
- Announcement and thank you cards
- Video
- Traditional album
- Portraits
Setting Up Shop
These photo shoots have become so popular that some Chinese photographers have built businesses around couples who are getting married and want their photo package produced in London or elsewhere in Europe. Many of the soon-to-be-married people are students studying abroad. The continental scenery is not just picturesque; it has sentimental value for them as the site of their student experience. Many of the couples met each other while attending university in London or Paris. According to one student who quit school to work as a photographer, there is a demand for Chinese photographers over European professionals. Apparently, Chinese couples have a different aesthetic, preferring pictures that are more meticulously staged than the typical, more natural-looking style largely favored by Europeans.
London Lags
Chinese tourism accounted for approximately 196,000 visitors to London last year. It does not yet enjoy the popularity of Paris or Greece with young Asian couples, partly because the U.K. requires a separate visa. Still, as in Paris, Asian couples continue to arrive and spend their wealth in the pursuit of the perfect romantic setting.
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