Decorum still valued

The majority of couples, however, still follow a conventional wedding format, while unorthodox ones will add a special touch or twist to suit their taste.

"Sometimes, we reject ideas that go overboard. In Chinese culture, a wedding ceremony is also a precious opportunity for a family reunion, so it is necessary to take the feelings of elderly family members who might cringe at such oddities into consideration," Ming said.

Alternative wedding presentations aside, Ming said newlyweds these days seem to share an emphasis on freedom, self-expression and genuine displays of love.

"They do not want their occasion to be overly sentimental and enveloped in poignancy, or a sense of separation. They are looking for an outlet to express their love for each other and want attendees to truly have a good time."

A survey carried out in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, in recent years found that most newlyweds still hire emcees, cameramen, videographers and makeup artists for their nuptials, Pei Yuxin, a professor at Sun Yat-sen University's School of Sociology and Anthropology, said in an interview with China Youth Daily in March.

"The average amount spent on a wedding varies from a few hundred thousand yuan to over 100,000 yuan ($13,800), but they (the couples) tend to be rational and aware of their budget limits," she said.

Pei said an important factor behind the increasing popularity of so-called "minimalist" weddings is a stronger sense of autonomy among younger generations.

"In the past, the organization of a wedding event was dominated by parents or handed over to a wedding planning agency. There was a uniform set of procedures to follow and an emphasis on grandeur," she said.

"But nowadays, young people prefer actively participating in arrangements and incorporating their unique personalities and personal traits into the occasion."

Pei added that young people have taken a frugal approach to their weddings as they tighten their purse strings. "We have talked to young couples who DIY decorations, and shop online for cheaper ornaments to reduce expenses," she said.