Niche market role spurs mixed reactions

The wedding market has witnessed surging demand for professional bridesmaids and groomsmen, bringing additional income and specialized services to the industry, but views on them are mixed.

Lin Miaomiao, 33, who has 10 years' wedding industry experience, views such professionals as products of a niche market.

"Most of the couples that require professional bridesmaids are returnees (from overseas), knowing little about traditional wedding customs in China. Consequently, they ask for professional wedding service providers equipped with comprehensive knowledge on wedding procedures and customs," Lin said.

A poll conducted by China News Service on its Sina Weibo account in October showed that 27.3 percent of the 4,135 participants expressed their willingness to hire professional bridesmaids or groomsmen, while 66.3 percent rejected the idea, with the remainder undecided. A report on wedding consumption trends released by wedding service provider Hunliji indicated that people placed more emphasis on an immersive wedding experience.

Qu Huan was hired as a bridesmaid for 20 brides she did not know last year.

"Compared with traditional bridesmaids, who are usually relatives or close friends, we acquire more specialized knowledge to remind the couples what to do next, help them tackle last-minute challenges and let them enjoy the happiness of their wedding," she said.

Until recently, the 30-year-old worked from Monday to Friday as an office clerk with a private company in Wafangdian, Dalian, Liaoning province. On the weekends, she provides services as a professional bridesmaid in the city.

She is a so-called "slash youth", who refuses to be defined or bound by just one identity and chooses to pursue diverse experiences for money, fun and even personal values by having multiple careers.

After graduating in 2016, Qu opted for steady office work. While diligent about her daytime job, she developed her zeal for the wedding industry into secondary careers that included makeup assistant and professional bridesmaid.

"My parents give me full support," Qu said, explaining that "slash lives" not only generated extra income, but also led to personal change and growth.

According to the consumer-to-consumer marketplace goofish.com, professional bridesmaids and groomsmen earn around 200 yuan ($28) to 500 yuan for each booking. Sometimes, the price for professional groomsmen is a little higher, as they are harder to find.

In addition to the agreed price, couples often show respect to the professional bridesmaids and groomsmen, politely invite them to the feast and give them small red packets containing 1 to 5 yuan.

"I used to be an extremely introverted type of girl who felt embarrassed even when holding hands with my mom," Qu said. "However, through my two years of experience as a professional bridesmaid, I have become more outgoing to enliven the atmosphere."

Traditionally, a maid of honor is a close friend or relative of the bride. Qu said she has had no problem playing the role for her customers, preventing them from being seen as a "naysayer" to tradition.

At first, she had refused to work full-time as a bridesmaid due to uncertainty over a steady income, intense competition and lack of work regulations. However, in October she quit her office job and so far this year has worked at three weddings.

Xiaohongshu, a popular social media platform, has numerous stories of bridesmaid and groomsmen bookings being called off at the last minute. There are also stories of slack professional bridesmaids standing around and playing with their mobile phones rather than attending to their duties.

Li Menghan contributed to this story.