However, as the numbers kept climbing — likes, comments and promises to attend — the initial excitement gave way to a practical concern: how to take good care of these guests, especially when they had no way of knowing how many would actually show up.

　　The family then trimmed their original guest list from 500 relatives and friends on each of the bride's and groom's sides to 200 per side and reserved the second floor, which offered a full view of the hall, for strangers traveling from afar. Food supplies were doubled, featuring local specialties such as pilaf, baked stuffed buns, seasonal and dried fruits, as well as wedding sweets, while a Mandarin-speaking partner was added alongside the Uygur-language master of ceremonies.

　　Many guests attempted to hand over their cash gifts, following Chinese wedding customs, but the host family declined most of them. Akramjan Omar said he was touched at one point seeing people who clearly didn't really know how to dance moving anyway, their faces lit up with pure enjoyment. At the end of the night, the newlyweds and their unexpected guests gathered for a group photo.

　　Warm hospitality

　　Wei Lixi, 20, from South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, was on a solo road trip in Kashgar city when he saw the invitation on Douyin. He had his vehicle washed for the occasion and joined the groom's procession early that morning. The groom led everyone in a dance, and guests were handed party poppers to set off during the liveliest moments.

　　At first, Wei worried about intruding — but the hosts welcomed the out-of-town visitors with open arms. "The air was electric. I felt like part of one big family," he said.

　　Hao Shuhui, 24, from Henan, married into a Xinjiang family earlier this year. She dug through her wardrobe for a bright red dress and made her way to the Uygur family that has longstanding ties with her hometown.