China's CCTV News client reported on the 5th that enhancing the sense of ceremony in marriage certificate presentations is an important aspect of China’s wedding custom reforms. Since China implemented 'nationwide access' to marriage registration last May, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has encouraged regions with suitable conditions to set up marriage registration offices in parks and other iconic, meaningful locations.
As of now, China has established 525 'park-style' marriage registration points and over 1,000 outdoor certificate presentation bases, allowing newlyweds to choose any preferred location for their marriage registration. At the start of the new year, multiple special certificate presentation sites set in scenic areas and ancient towns in Jiangsu Province have begun operating, providing unique services for couples.
Not long ago, the marriage registration site in the Diaohualou Scenic Area in Taizhou, Jiangsu officially opened to the public, attracting many couples from across China to register their marriages there. Staff held group marriage certificate presentation ceremonies for the couples, offering sweet blessings and New Year wishes, as well as a carefully prepared sweet gift package for each couple which included scenic area tickets, cultural and creative souvenirs, and other special gifts.
Yu Le, director of the Marriage Registration Center of Taizhou Medical High-tech Zone, Jiangsu, said: “Most special in this package are these two tickets, numbered 5201314. The newlyweds can handwrite and gift them to each other, and have lifelong free access to our scenic area.”
In the thousand-year-old Xiaxiazhen Ancient Town in Huai'an, Jiangsu, the marriage registration point in the ancient town presents its own unique charm, attracting a peak in registrations as soon as it opened. Couples can not only obtain their certificates here, but also take photos at distinctive sites in the ancient town, capturing both the local heritage and their life milestone in one moment.
This year, a new batch of special certificate presentation points also opened in the ancient city of Suzhou. In the certificate presentation hall at the Suzuo Pavilion Special Marriage Registration Site, Su-style craft masterpieces are displayed in abundance. After receiving their marriage certificates, newlyweds can appreciate lacquerware, wood carvings, Su embroidery, Song brocade, and other products with wedding themes.
Xu Aihua, director of the Social Affairs Office of the Civil Affairs and Health Bureau of Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, pointed out that the Suzuo Pavilion marriage registration site also symbolizes the beautiful blessing for newlyweds: 'Suzhou craftsmanship, destined for each other.' In addition, the Suzuo Pavilion registration site offers many intangible cultural heritage items such as Su embroidery and jade carvings, showcasing Suzhou's aesthetic traditions. It is hoped that couples can start a new chapter of their lives in the blessed land of Suzhou and experience the romantic poetry unique to Jiangnan and the special well-wishes of Gusu.