It's not just the locals who choose to tie the knot here anymore.
Previously, it seemed that the only foreigners getting married in Shanghai were those marrying someone of Chinese nationality. Couples such as recent newlyweds Micah Sittig, who hails from southern California, and his wife Jodi, whose family resides in Hunan province, picked Shanghai for the site of their midsummer wedding as a compromise. In order to meld their cultural backgrounds, Micah and Jodi planned a Western-style reception on the grass of Zhongshan Park for the exchanging of the rings and vows, followed by a semi-traditional Chinese ceremony at the Yu Hua Yuan restaurant, located within the park.

Only recently, however, as more expats have descended upon the city, have completely foreign weddings, in which both the bride and groom are non-Chinese nationals, begun to crop up. One of the biggest challenges for these couples is being able to find English-speaking businesses to assist them with their planning. Since the majority of the wedding companies available in Shanghai primarily have experience dealing with Chinese clients, the trend has been to "do it yourself" when it comes to making matrimonial arrangements. Custom calls for the bride's family to take care of preparations, but since expats who come to Shanghai for work have left their parents behind, brides-to-be like Korean-born Sainy Chun turn to friends for help.  

"Through connections everything is very easy to organize," explains Chun, who first met her French fiancé, Patrick Firouzian, through a friend in Shanghai.  

The couple aims to marry around wintertime early next year. Both the wedding ceremony and reception will most likely take place in the new Radiance Hotel, owned by a friend and equipped with a garden. The gown will be custom-made by another friend, Sylvia Chanmueller, who designs for the dressmaker AJS Atelier.   

For pre-made bridal and bridesmaid dresses, seek out one of the many bridal shops along Huaihai Lu or Huqiu Lu in Suzhou, where Jodi Sittig found her dress for under ￥1000. Finding a dress was a cinch, but finding a Western wedding cake was not, say the Sittigs.  

The main issue is the taste, explained Micah, who finally resolved the problem by going to the German-run Bastiaan Bakery & Konditorei on Hongmei Pedestrian Street. Also making its debut on Hongmei Lu, Mon Rêve showcases the concoctions of Las Vegas pastry chef Jim Fricker.

"Chocolate is my specialty," says Fricker. "I can do anything in chocolate." He makes good on the claim by offering to do special orders based on clients' photos. Cake price averages at ￥20/slice. Extra detailing like sugar flowers add to the cost. Fricker is happy to provide samples of three cakes "to let the bride taste."

The best deal on flowers, if you know some Mandarin, can be found at one of the many flower markets in the city, such as the Gubei Flower & Bird Market and the Jinwen Flower Market.  

French expats Geoffrey Lietard and Audie Lesade opted to keep it simple by letting their wedding venue handle the food and flowers for them. While the couple wishes for the party to remain small, the recently opened Mediteraneo can accommodate up to 500 guests in their Tuscan villa garden. Geoffrey is extremely pleased with the location for the reception, which will be held in July.  

"They treat us like a prince and princess," he says, confirming that it is truly possible to celebrate your wedding in Shanghai. Perhaps this will inspire more to do the same.