More than a decade after Taiwanese pop icon Jay Chou married Australian model Hannah Quinlivan, the historic Selby Abbey continues to draw couples from China eager to recreate the same fairytale setting for their own weddings. The 1,000-year-old medieval church, located in the market town of Selby in North Yorkshire, has since evolved into an international wedding destination, with a steady stream of visitors and couples inspired by the celebrity ceremony held in 2015.
The abbey, known for its grand architecture and historical charm, has witnessed a significant surge in popularity among Chinese tourists and brides in particular. Many of them travel long distances not only to visit the site but also to exchange vows or seek blessings in the same venue where Chou’s widely publicised wedding took place. According to church officials, the demand has remained consistently strong over the years, showing no signs of fading even a decade later.
The Revd Canon John Weetman, vicar at the abbey, confirmed that interest from Chinese couples remains high, with more than 30 weddings already scheduled for the current year. He noted that the popularity began almost immediately after Chou’s wedding ceremony, triggering a wave of visits from Chinese students, tourists, and fans. York’s status as a major tourist hub for Chinese visitors has further contributed to the abbey becoming a must-visit location, with many travellers making a special detour to Selby.
Several brides have cited personal and cultural connections to Chou’s wedding as a major factor in their decision. Qing Li, a bride who travelled from China, said her choice was influenced by both her fondness for York and the fact that a well-known Chinese celebrity had married at the abbey. Similarly, Isobel, a visitor from Beijing, said she was drawn to the venue after watching videos of the lavish ceremony online, describing it as “splendid” and worth experiencing in person.
While traditional Church of England wedding rules require couples to meet certain criteria—such as residing in the parish or regularly attending services—the abbey has also made provisions for international couples. A spokesperson explained that “blessing” ceremonies, which are not bound by legal marital requirements, are offered to those who may not qualify for a formal church wedding. Notably, Chou himself had a blessing ceremony at the abbey in 2015.
The growing demand has, however, led to logistical constraints. Church authorities have imposed limits on the number of ceremonies conducted, capping weddings at no more than one per week. Despite hosting 25 weddings last year and over 30 already booked this year, Weetman acknowledged that the demand far exceeds availability, with inquiries running at two to three times the number of slots available.
The enduring influence of a single celebrity wedding has thus transformed Selby Abbey into a cross-cultural symbol of romance, continuing to attract admirers from across the globe, particularly China, where Jay Chou’s popularity remains immense.
