Models present wedding costumes during China's first Wedding Expo opened in Beijing February 25, 2005. International trend of wedding costumes, Chinese wedding custom and marriage-related service items from Chinese operators are displayed during the three-day expo in Beijing.

Modern Chinese couples spend 1,000 times more than their parents' generation on lavish weddings and other expenses linked to starting a family, with most couples easily spending 200,000 yuan (US$24,000), equivalent to the life savings of the previous generation.

Twenty-five years ago, the shopping list of young couples planning to get married consisted of a wardrobe, bed and bedding, some candy and cigarettes.

(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2005)