A website was launched for couples in Shanghai to make marriage license reservations on August 8, when the Beijing Olympic Games open, the Oriental Morning Post reported.

Would-be couples are advised to make online reservations a month in advance before they visit their district's marriage registration agency. The number of wedding registrations in Shanghai is expected to hit a record on August 8 as many young people want the memorable day as their anniversary, the report said.

In Yangpu District alone, more than 200 couples are expected to register on August 8. To ensure a smooth work order that day, the district's marriage registration agency has worked out an additional reservation scheme. Couples can first make reservations in person from today through August 2, enabling them to receive the certificates faster on the day they officially register, the report said.

Officials at the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau said they are well prepared for the marriage registration peak.

"All staff in every district and county will be standing by when the Olympic Games begin. To satisfy those who want to get married that day, we have decided to prolong work hours on August 8," one official told the newspaper.

The Website is: http://61.172.246.42:8080/marry/index.htm.

(Shanghai Daily June 20, 2008)