Grandiose nuptials tug on heartstrings - and purse strings

"Yes, I am very impressed," I replied, "but if we use it, my husband and I would be better off in sportswear than wedding gowns and suits."

The bride and groom's outfits are central to any wedding and their prices vary enormously from 500 to 10,000 yuan ($73.5-1,471). The manager also recommended we add some music to cheer up the guests, including violinists, Shaoxing opera singers (a traditional opera popular in southern China) and mask changing. It was as if he were organizing a Spring Festival party rather than a wedding.

Each of the extra programs would cost at least 500 yuan, he said, and I'd also need to pay for their costumes as well as their meals.

It is difficult to make such decisions on a limited budget. Noticing my worried look, the manager started to put even more pressure on me, saying I should not be reluctant to spend freely on my big day.

To emphasize his point he showed us a video of a fabulous wedding that cost 280,000 yuan. The latest technology was used to gradually set up a fireworks display when the bride and groom stepped into the hall. A model airplane carrying wedding rings even flew to the stage for the couple's ring exchanges.

After watching it, I realized what I needed most was not money, but a money-printer. On reflection I decided to spend just 6,000 yuan on a master of ceremonies and a violinist. I'd rather not spend all our savings on a wedding planner's grand visions.