So this blew my mind - coworker has been committed to her diet (apples and instant shakes in case you are curious), and she said it\'s rough but will work out for her planned wedding in a year.

Hold up - she has already been married and living with her husband for over a year?! She explained this is very common, that in China you get legally married and then have the ceremony later. I get that, and it seems in the West many people will go to the court/government office for their marriage certificate (legally married), and then have the ceremony. Yet, I feel this is often done within a few days or week of each other...