Fed: Spate of Aussie weddings on Olympics opening day

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2008
Fed: Spate of Aussie weddings on Olympics opening day

By Petrina Berry and Carrie Berdon

SYDNEY, Aug 8 AAP - Hordes of couples tied the knot across Australia today, hoping
the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008 would bring them wealth, health and everlasting
love.

In Chinese, the word for eight sounds similar to the word for "prosper" or "wealth".

The 8th day of the 8th month of 2008, chosen for the launch day of the Olympic Games
in Beijing, signifies a particularly lucky day.

The NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, which married a record 96 couples
today, extended its opening hours so some couples could marry as early as 8am (AEST) and
as late as 8pm.

Deborah and Marc Johnson from Parramatta in Sydney's western suburbs, who got married
in central Sydney at midday, said they immediately chose August 8 to get married after
they were forced to postpone their previous date.

"I come from a Chinese family and my grandmother told me that eight is supposed to
be a lucky number," Mr Johnson said.

"If you write the number eight it just goes on and on," said Ms Johnson. "There's just
no stop to it. So that would be a symbol for eternity.

"If we get married on this day, that's hoping that we still stay together forever."

Irene and Ferry Lim, who have been together for six years and engaged for just over
a year, said they chose today for their wedding because the numbers were lucky.

"It's also an easy number to remember," said Ms Lim. "We won't forget our anniversary!"

NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos told reporters it was "an important occasion
for love and romance".

"I hope the eighth of the eighth is a particularly special day for each of those parties
which are taking place," he said.

Of the 96 couples getting married in NSW today, 41 per cent were Chinese, while another
20 per cent came from other Asian countries, Mr Hatzistergos said.

In Queensland, the Brisbane registry's marriage room on George Street was so busy that
some couples were shuffled across to the Hotel Conrad next door.

Queensland Attorney-General Kerry Shine said 13 celebrants would marry 33 couples,
a record number of weddings for the Brisbane registry.

"It's double the number last year where we had 17 couples marry on 7/07/07," Mr Shrine said.

Two young Brisbane university students from Iran were among the couples to wed.

Alireza and Parisa, both 27, who declined to give their surname, said they originally
wanted to marry at 8am but weren't quick enough to nab that highly coveted time slot.

Instead they made their vows at 8.30am.

"It's special for us ... and we hope it's a lucky day for us," Alireza said.

"We just wanted to marry on the eighth of the eighth month in 2008."

SA's Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Val Edyvean, counted 10 marriages today
but said the registry had to turn many couples away.

"Certainly there has been much higher demand than usual," he said.

AAP peb/cjb/hn/jl/de

KEYWORD: MARRIAGE NIGHTLEAD (PIX AVAILABLE)

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.