Chinese Brides Visit English Church
Monday, 2026/03/30200 words3 minutes169 reads
A millennium-old ecclesiastical structure in North Yorkshire has undergone an extraordinary transformation into an international wedding destination, primarily attracting couples from China. Selby Abbey's metamorphosis began in 2015 when Taiwanese pop sensation Jay Chou exchanged vows with Australian model Hannah Quinlivan within its medieval walls.
The ceremony's impact proved immediate and enduring. The Revd Canon John Weetman recounts that Chinese visitors began arriving the very next day, with the abbey's grandeur captivating fans who had watched wedding footage viewed millions of times online. The phenomenon has intensified to such an extent that the church now restricts Chinese weddings to one weekly, despite demand exceeding this quota by two to three times.
Interestingly, the abbey accommodates international couples through a "blessing" service rather than traditional marriage ceremonies. Unlike conventional church weddings, which require couples to fulfill specific criteria such as parish residency or regular service attendance, blessing ceremonies operate outside marital law and impose no qualifying prerequisites. This flexibility has proven instrumental in the abbey's appeal to Chinese couples seeking the same fairytale backdrop that captivated them through Chou's widely circulated wedding videos. With over 30 bookings this year compared to 25 last year, the trend shows no signs of diminishing.
