It's like buying a ticket to a real-life rom com. A startup in France is helping couples sell strangers invitations to their wedding. If you pay for a ticket, do you also need to bring a gift?
'As if we're real guests': the startup selling strangers invitations to weddings (Angelique Chrisafis, The Guardian, Aug 2, 2025)
French startup lets strangers buy entrance to someone else's wedding (Trend-watching Daily, Aug 4, 2025)
The Incredibly True Story of Renting a Friend in Tokyo (Chris Colin, Afar, Feb 19, 2016)
I paid $47 an hour for someone to be my friend (Jean-Luc Bouchard, Vox, Jul 1, 2019)
I Rented a Friend to See if I Could Cure My Loneliness (Annie Lord, Vice, Feb 8, 2019)
Belly Dancing for the Dead: a Day with China's Top Mourner (Louisa Lim, Morning Edition / NPR, Jun 26, 2013)
Professional Mourners: An Ancient Tradition (Marilyn A. Mendoza, Psychology Today, Feb 15, 2018)
Arlington Ladies (Arlington National Cemetery, accessed Aug 17, 2025)
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