Chinese woman, British man marry in Ming-style ceremony

Dressed in a Ming Dynasty-style (1368-1644) black gauze cap and an official robe, 37-year-old British groom Zachary Williamson rode a horse to fetch his 31-year-old Chinese bride, Wang Zhao.

On Jan 4, a traditional Chinese-style wedding was held in Ancient County Town in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. A short video of a transnational marriage was posted online.

"Riding the horse was a unique experience for me when I was in the old town of Taiyuan, because it felt as if I were a Confucian scholar. It gave me a true appreciation for just a tiny fraction of the depth and richness of Chinese cultural history," Williamson said.

Dressed in a phoenix coronet and a two-piece ceremonial traditional Chinese wedding dress, Wang rode in a litter. This retro wedding fulfilled her childhood dream. Wang spent her first 18 years in Taiyuan before studying in the United States. She currently works in the IT industry in San Francisco.

Wang said, "A wave of Chinese cultural renaissance is rising — people start to appreciate the traditional culture and integrate those elements into their lives."

The attention gained from the wedding surpassed their expectations. "I was amazed by netizens' deep curiosity and longing for this kind of authentic, immersive, not superficial, and sacred retro wedding," Wang said.

The pair met in 2023 at an international technology conference in Istanbul, Turkiye.

However, as a cryptographer, Williamson didn't begin by talking about his work. Instead, the pair discussed Chinese history. To her surprise, besides Williamson's knowledge of ancient Chinese politics and philosophy, he also had an extraordinary insight into Chinese history and humanity. "I think he is not a 'tech nerd', but a real enthusiast of history and a humanist. I was captivated by his erudition, composure and wisdom that flowed through his talk," Wang said. "I had never seen someone like him before and I find his roundness, tranquility and wisdom quite appealing."

In June, Williamson flew to California secretly and proposed to Wang at Muir Woods National Monument, a place they both loved. The unexpected surprise moved her to tears.

"I have a strong sense of cultural pride, so I wish to give myself a one-of-a-kind wedding, my family a ceremonial blessing, and let our British relatives and friends experience this authentic Chinese culture," she said.

This very ceremony integrated the essence of folk customs of the Southern Shanxi, the Taiyuan local culture and wedding rituals in the Ming Dynasty.

Zhao Yanming, a veteran with 20 years of experience in the wedding industry, organized the entire event. He said, "This was not just a wedding but a cross-cultural exchange. I am deeply honored to have been part of it and hope this helps promote people-to-people cultural ties between China and the UK, allowing more foreign friends to appreciate the incomparable charm of Chinese wedding traditions."

When discussing the nuances of cross-cultural interactions, Wang admitted that her straightforward communication style initially clashed with the reserved and subtle nature of British culture.

"I am still learning to understand what Christmas means to him, just as Spring Festival holds great significance for Chinese people," she said.

"Cultural differences go beyond daily habits or food preferences; they stem from deeper emotional expressions and values. Yet, it is precisely these differences that teach us to communicate with understanding and openness, fostering empathy," Wang said.

The most touching moment of the wedding was the bow between the bride and groom. Wang said, "Even as the most intimate partners, it is essential to always maintain courtesy, respect and proper boundaries with each other."

Williamson places great importance on traditional Chinese culture, particularly the concept of filial piety. He actively integrates into Wang's family, striving to be a respectful and dutiful son-in-law as expected by her elders.

Wang's mother speaks highly of her British son-in-law: "He is gentle, responsible and grateful. As parents, all we wish for is that they love each other deeply and attach devotedly to each other throughout their lives."

Williamson has fallen in love with Shanxi and developed a particular fondness for its noodle cuisine. The couple plans to hold a Western-style wedding in London later this year, allowing Chinese and British cultures to continue blending within their marriage. "My time in China has been incredibly special, and I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life," Williamson said.

Zhang Zhiyao contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn