Most couples avoid having strangers at their wedding. Wuhan groom Dai Biao did the opposite — he invited the internet, asked for no gifts, and watched more than 100 strangers show up to celebrate his marriage.
The 26-year-old took to social media on September 19 to invite strangers to his wedding, presuming around 20 people might respond, according to Upworthy’s report. Within 24 hours, the video had gone viral. Hundreds of netizens flooded the comments asking to attend, and Biao set up a group chat so people could register. A whopping 2,000 participants joined.
No gifts, just come and celebrate
Biao’s invitation carried a specific request: “No need for wedding gifts, just come and celebrate.” He later clarified that he started live streaming simply to make more friends — not to gain attention.
On October 6, more than 100 online guests arrived at the wedding of Dai Biao and Lei Siyi. People travelled from different parts of the country, some cancelling plans they had made earlier to be there. It was such a success that the couple had to add two extra tables, borrowing chairs from neighbours and placing tables in the house next door.
Strangers into friends
Even though Biao had asked for no gifts, guests arrived with red envelopes filled with money, cosmetics, combs and a banner signed by all the online guests. Biao hopes to organise another event in the future — a hike or a charity event — so he and his new friends can get together again.
A wedding, it turns out, does not need a guest list to be full. Sometimes it just needs an open invitation.
