Newly married couples in Shanghai can receive coupons of up to 2,000 yuan (US$293) this weekend at the Shanghai Exhibition Center as the Shanghai Wedding Trade Association acts to boost the market during peak season.

However, the coupons may bring only partial pocket relief to newlyweds as pay raises lag far behind skyrocketing wedding costs.

The first batch of 10,000 coupon packages will be handed out at the Wedding Expo on Saturday and Sunday. Newly married couples can receive discounts on hiring cars, bridal gowns, honeymoons and wedding banquets.

"The coupons are designed to stimulate consumption in Shanghai's wedding industry in the face of a shrinking market amid the ongoing global financial crisis," the association said on its Website.

An association official surnamed Zhang said the coupons can save a couple up to 2,000 yuan in booking a wedding site and that they can be used on top of existing discounts.

The average cost of a wedding in Shanghai increased almost fourfold to 187,000 yuan from 2002 to 2006, based on a survey by the Wedding Service Agency under the China Association of Social Workers.

High prices are making things difficult for young couples.

"Getting married costs too much and is beyond our capability. My husband and I could barely afford the wedding and our parents had to cover most of the costs," said Lei Li, who works at a foreign-owned bank. The couple has a total household income of about 12,000 yuan each month.

They have planned their wedding celebration for next month and will spend around 180,000 yuan, which Lei said is about average.

(Shanghai Daily May 25, 2009)