BEIJING: The practice of hiring bridesmaids for weddings is becoming increasingly popular, as more people recognise it offers a solution to the dilemma of finding suitable attendants for brides away from home while eliminating the awkwardness of social indebtedness. Professional bridesmaids offer their services on various online platforms, including social media apps. The bridesmaids advertise their reliability, attentiveness and the high level of coordination they can offer on the wedding day. One advertisement read: “I am available to be hired as a bridesmaid. I have average looks so I won’t steal the spotlight from the bride. I promise I won’t embarrass her on the wedding day and I can be the bride’s best friend, secretary, caretaker, assistant, bodyguard…” The bridesmaids…
