A couple hold a destination wedding in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 10, 2025. (Xinhua)

　　THE "SWEET ECONOMY"

　　Since May 2025, China has allowed couples to complete marriage registration at any qualified civil affairs registry nationwide, making it easier for them to combine registration with travel.

　　In Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, a couple exchanged vows in front of the snow-capped Yulong Snow Mountain, framed by a heart-shaped arch of white roses. This province's tourism and cut-flower industries give it natural advantages as a destination-wedding choice, and local scenic areas and wedding companies have moved quickly to build a mature industry.

　　Yang Libin, head of a wedding planning company in Yunnan with over a decade of experience, began focusing on customized destination weddings in 2025. His team uses questionnaires and consultations to learn about couples' stories and preferences before selecting venues and designing ceremonies. "Professional services should improve the couples' experience and make every wedding unique," Yang said. In the first year after their shift of focus, his company organized more than 280 destination weddings.

　　The wedding photography industry is another major part of the "sweet economy." In Lijiang, industry associations have introduced service standards covering makeup, clothing, photo production and after-sales support. Packages costing around 10,000 yuan (about 1,500 U.S. dollars) can include costumes, makeup, private transport and accommodation.

　　By integrating photography, ceremonies and honeymoon travel, Lijiang attracted more than 140,000 couples in 2025, with its wedding industry market exceeding 1.1 billion yuan.