Happy McValentines!

Yesterday, a young Hong Kong couple celebrated Valentines in a very special way as they got married under the golden arches at a local McDonalds restaurant. This wedding was the first formal so-called McWedding since McDonalds introduced the service in January.


The first couple seal the McWedding with a kiss. Reuters

According to McDonalds, the concept isn’t tacky and fills a niche in Hong Kong, where McDonalds restaurants are a very popular dating venue and prices for more typical weddings run exorbitantly high. A wedding at McDonalds comes well under the average cost for Hong Kong weddings and for a mere HK $9,999 (approx 1000 euro) you can get yourself a complete ‘Warm and Sweet Wedding Package'.

The package includes, venue, invitations, a bouquet and corsage, McDonalds food, Happy Meal gifts for guests, decorations, a McDonalds Apple Pie ‘cake’ and, most importantly, a pair of McDonalds balloon wedding rings!  If this isn’t enough for you, you can also add additional services including a McDonalds backdrop, wedding balloons, marriage dolls, balloon corsages, and most amazingly a white or red balloon wedding gown.

So far bookings for the McWeddings have been limited with only 2 more weddings confirmed for this year but the American fast food giant is hoping the McWeddings will take off in Hong Kong as young people steer away from traditions and look for out-of-the-ordinary wedding experiences.

There are two drawbacks though, firstly, forget having a private party as the outlets where the weddings can be held will remain open to the public. Worse, guests hoping to celebrate with a drink will be dissappointed as alcohol is banned at Hong Kong McDonalds. But if you don't really care about this and just want a cheap and original wedding, the McWedding might just be what you're after.

Let's just hope they couple will stay McHappily Ever After!

Sources:
http://www.mcdonalds.com.hk/english/about/wedding/index.asp http://lifewise.canoe.ca/valentines/features/2011/02/14/17266756.html