In China, a new trend is emerging with the rising popularity of pet weddings, showing a change in society as marriage rates decline and the population ages. Bree and Bond, two golden retrievers, had a grand wedding that demonstrates this trend. Their carefully planned event included a beautiful outdoor location, fancy clothes, and a delicious cake. Pet weddings show how much pets matter to Chinese families. In 2023, spending on pets in China increased by 3.2% to 279.3 billion yuan ($38.41 billion), which shows how dedicated pet owners are to their furry friends. Young people, especially, love their pets and are happy to spend money on them to keep them happy and healthy.

Rye Ling, Bree’s owner, talked about why pet weddings are important. Ling and Gigi Chen, Ling’s partner, who are not getting married themselves yet, spent a lot of time planning the big day. They hired a professional photographer, made special booklets, and ordered a custom cake for 800 yuan that looked like Bree and Bond. According to Acuity Knowledge Partners, there were more than 116 million cats and dogs in Chinese cities in 2023, and a lot of pet owners are under 40. This shows how pets are becoming more important as friends in modern Chinese life. Pet weddings, once unusual, now show how much people love their pets and want to celebrate them.