Beijing Bridal Photos

The other day, I passed a small store on a side street full of wedding dresses. I thought it was a dress shop, but it turned out to be a photo studio, where brides- and grooms-to-be can rent tuxes and gowns, and take their photos. The salesgirls explained to me that it’s becoming more and more popular for a Chinese couple to take their wedding photos before the wedding, so they can have a blown-up photo as a centerpiece, or give smaller pictures as favors.

The shop assistant showed me the range of possible costumes and sets. Couples can dress up in Victorian finery, traditional Chinese wedding clothes, old-fashioned qipas, “western-style” outfits (think 1980’s prom gear) or almost anything else. The studio also provides props like flowers or traditional instruments to complete the effect.

Think it’ll catch on with American brides?