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Thousands of Chinese couples got married on Friday because date, 4th January 2013, sounds like "endless love until death" when spoken in Chinese language Mandarin. The newlyweds hoped day would prove to be auspicious one on which to tie knot. At least 10,000 couples walked down aisle in Beijing alone. Even though registry offices were fully booked, hopeful brides and bridegrooms braved freezing weather in hope the registrars could fit them in. The government had to lay on thousands of extra staff to accommodate increased number of people wanting to take plunge. In Hong Kong, city's five marriage registries were fully booked by September 20 last year. The city saw 558 people become man and wife on Friday.

Dates that are numerically unique are very popular in China as people believe they are lucky. Matching days, months and years - like 12/12/12 and 11/11/11 - are considered to bring good fortune. next such date will be January 1st in year 2101. Newlywed Chen Foshan told china.org website: "We promised to get married today long time ago, if doomsday didn't come first." Marriage is becoming big business in China because country’s middle class is booming. People spend lot of money on extravagant ceremonies and receptions. One of biggest expenses is elaborate wedding album. happy couple is photographed at various locations wearing different costumes. Photos of actual vows or exchanging of rings are not usually taken.