Milk tea is becoming a popular toast choice for young couples at Chinese weddings, reflecting a shift in traditional customs.

Young Chinese Couples Toast to Love with Milk Tea at Weddings

In a modern twist on wedding traditions, young couples in China are increasingly replacing traditional alcoholic beverages with trendy Chinese-style tea drinks, such as milk tea, bubble tea, and fruit tea, at their wedding celebrations. This emerging trend has sparked widespread attention on Chinese social media, with videos and posts of couples toasting with oversized cups of milk tea frequently going viral.

The shift reflects a growing preference for healthier, more inclusive alternatives to alcohol. In the comment sections of these viral posts, many netizens shared their reasons for choosing tea over alcohol, citing factors such as the long-standing Chinese tradition of substituting tea for alcohol when drinking is inconvenient, the festive packaging of new-style tea drinks, and the desire to avoid alcohol-related mishaps.

Health-Conscious and Inclusive Choices For some couples, the decision to serve tea beverages at weddings is driven by a desire to cater to health-conscious guests and provide non-alcoholic options. Xu Jiaping, a post-95s bride-to-be, told media that she plans to serve Chinese-style tea drinks alongside traditional Baijiu (Chinese liquor) and red wine at her wedding. This approach, she explained, respects the preferences of older generations while showcasing the distinctive lifestyle of younger people. Tea beverages also offer a thoughtful alternative for guests who avoid alcohol or are mindful of their sugar intake.

Customized Wedding Packages Recognizing the growing demand, some Chinese-style tea brands have begun offering customized wedding packages, complete with branded packaging and on-site tea stalls. For example, a post-90s couple in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, ordered 320 cups of new-style tea drinks for their wedding in October 2024, replacing traditional alcoholic beverages entirely. The couple even collaborated with the tea brand to design wedding decorations that matched the theme of their event.

Beyond Weddings: A Growing Trend The trend isn’t limited to weddings. Young people in China are increasingly choosing tea over alcohol for other celebratory occasions, such as graduation parties and corporate banquets. According to Chen Yao, a wedding and corporate event planner, requests for milk tea stalls at events have become increasingly common. "Many clients now want guests to customize their drinks on the spot," she said. Chen also noted that the elegant packaging of tea beverages, featuring classic patterns and festive colors, adds a touch of Eastern charm to event venues.

Brands Capitalize on the Trend To meet the rising demand, some tea brands have launched specialized services for weddings and large events. One tea chain brand introduced a wedding banquet catering service in 2022, offering discounted group packages, free wedding-themed packaging, and delivery services. The service has proven popular, with orders from over 100 cities across China. Another brand reported selling approximately 1.5 million cups of tea beverages for weddings, social gatherings, and workplace celebrations between January and September 2024. During the 2024 National Day holiday, group orders surged by nearly 300% year-on-year.

A Shift in Consumer Culture According to Zhu Danpeng, a food industry analyst, the integration of new-style tea beverages into wedding celebrations reflects the expansion of consumption scenarios for such drinks. "For today’s consumers, new-style tea drinks have become a necessity," he said. Wang Xue, a marketing professor at Renmin University of China, added that replacing alcohol with tea is an innovative reinterpretation of traditional wedding rituals. "New Chinese-style tea drinks reflect the fashion-forward and culturally confident mindset of young people, while also being highly shareable on social media," she explained.

The Future of Tea Beverages As the market for new-style tea drinks becomes increasingly competitive, brands are focusing on quality, innovation, and customer loyalty to stay ahead. "Quality and brand are the most important factors influencing consumer choice," Zhu emphasized. With their alignment with modern lifestyles and growing popularity, new Chinese-style tea beverages are poised to become a staple at celebratory events across China.

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