A wedding planner in Jiangxi province is offering bridesmaids for hire to the increasing number of Chinese couples looking to emulate Western customs.

Cheng Fei, who works at Happiness Wedding Services Co in the provincial capital of Nanchang, said it was not hard for couples to find a best man, "but it is getting harder to find bridesmaids".

"Many brides say that their friends live too far away or are too busy. Some are even worried that the guests' behavior is putting off potential bridesmaids," he said.

"The bridesmaids-for-hire service has gotten rather popular especially after the 'Bali incident'."

The incident that Cheng is referring to occurred on March 30, when actress Liu Yan was roughhoused by a group of best men at a wedding in Bali, Indonesia. She had been asked to be a bridesmaid by a celebrity couple getting married.

A video of Liu's ordeal quickly went viral, drawing anger and condemnation from the public over the treatment of bridesmaids.

"At least 15 couples have come to ask about hiring bridesmaids in the last 10 days. Eight have placed orders, each demanding four to eight bridesmaids," Cheng said.

"Usually we ask our female staff to take up the role, but if the clients request, say, better looking girls, we can meet their demands."

Each bridesmaid is paid 100 to 200 yuan ($15.40-$30.80) per day, and with a growing number of young couples choosing to have a large group of blushing bridesmaids, the for-hire business looks promising.

"One is not enough for many. The trend is at least three bridesmaids and three best men, just for the atmosphere," said a woman, surnamed Wu, in Nanchang.

Ma Xuesong, a folk culture researcher with the Jiangxi Provincial Academy of Social Sciences said in some areas, however, some hired bridesmaids have been subjected to teasing and jokes at weddings.

Chinese wedding celebrations traditionally involve a lot of banter, but this can get out of hand. Bridesmaids are often subject to unwanted physical contact, insults and forced drinking at wedding banquets.

According to Wuhan Evening News, one woman from Wuhan, identified only by her surname Tian, said she would not take part in a ceremony unless the couple signed a contract banning any untoward behavior directed at her during the wedding.

"Uncivilized and indecent behavior may still occur, but lines should be drawn and guests should mind their manners," said Liu Qianding, a folk culture researcher based in Wuhan.

The maid of honor has the dubious role of being "the maid to be shamed", and some brides choose not to have one at all.

"It makes no sense to hire a bridesmaid who is a total stranger and has nothing to do with the biggest moment of my life. I'd rather have none than a rent-a-friend," said a woman, surnamed Zou, who got married last month in Nanchang.

(China Daily 04/29/2016 page7)