My best friend's wedding

Zhang Yu and her husband Ye Xin at their wedding ceremony. Provided to China Daily

Zhang Yu woke up at 5 am on the day of her wedding ceremony in January 2011.

She tried to go back to sleep, because she knew she had a long day ahead. But it wasn't easy.

She texted me at 7 am: "You'll be here this afternoon, right?"

I was a bridesmaid.

"Just stand by my side and stay with me during the ceremony," she had told me before.

"You don't need to do much. Just be with me."

I arrived at Zhang's house at 2 pm with the other two maids. Two makeup artists were applying cosmetics when we arrived.

We gave her hongbao - red envelopes of cash, customarily given at wedding receptions.

Zhang's father treated us to tea and wedding candy. We put her three dresses in order.

More than 10 of Zhang's relatives chatted and laughed in the sitting room.

Her mother was in her early 50s and was recovering from two recent brain surgeries. She couldn't walk and had difficulty speaking. She watched the preparations from her wheelchair.

Zhang softly grabbed my hands.

"Nervous?" I asked.

Frankly, I didn't know exactly what to say. We've been best friends for years, and it was my first time feeling like an outsider. That day belonged to her alone.

Zhang paused and answered: "A little bit."

She later explained her anxiety wasn't about becoming husband and wife. The couple had already legally married. She was more exhilarated by the custom of having hundreds of spectators witness their happiness.

After makeup, I helped Zhang change into the beautiful white wedding dress she bought online for 300 yuan ($48).

We started shouting and laughing when the doorbell rang at 4:45 pm. It was the bridegroom and his best men.

Zhang and Ye Xin have been together for years, so the family didn't stop him from seeing the bride.

He gave us each 9.99 yuan ($1.58) - symbolizing "forever" - and walked to the bride.

Ye then helped her put on her red wedding shoes.

We applauded as Zhang's father carried Zhang on his back to the car.

I glanced at Zhang's mother and noticed her tears.

After we arrived at the ceremony site, I greeted more than 150 guests, who all brought red envelopes.

The ceremony started at 6:18 pm, because the number eight is considered lucky.

Zhang and her father walked to the center of the hall, while Ye walked from the other side.

"Ye Xin, I give my daughter, Zhang Yu, to you from this moment on," the father said.

"Will you take care of her, comfort her and protect her, no matter what happens?"

The lobby was silent.

"Yes," Ye answered.

"I will."

We later stood on the stage, awaiting the opening of the champagne, when the master of ceremonies told Zhang to toss the bouquet to the single women below to determine who would marry next.

Zhang didn't comply. She walked toward me.

"I have a wish on my big day," she said, looking me in the eye, as all the single women waited downstairs.

"I want to give the bridal bouquet, carrying my happiness, to my best friend, Zhang Yue. I hope she'll be next to tie the knot."

I felt tears. And I didn't feel like an outsider anymore.