BEIJING: With the number eight believed to bring happiness and fortune in Chinese culture, tomorrow (08-08-08) becomes particularly auspicious for the youth of this country, who will register a record number of marriages.

According to Shanghai's municipal bureau of civil affairs, more than 16,400 couples have  applied to have their marriages registered on the day, as compared with just 3,390 last year.

The marriage registration office in Fantail district will be decorated in wedding style to celebrate the special
day.

You're stepping on my gown: This wedding gown - the longest in the world - was customised by a bride in Guangzhou last year and it measured 200.8 m to coincide with the year of the Beijing Olympics

"New couples will feel like they are entering a wedding hall," a spokesperson said.

Li Jun, among those who will be officially married tomorrow, told the China Daily, "Eight is such an auspicious number, and with the opening of the Beijing Olympics, the whole nation will be celebrating with this."

"Having 08-08-08 stamped on my marriage certificate will make it extra special," she said.