Weddings in Wuhan simplified, deferred

WUHAN－Outside the closed glass door of the marriage-registration hall, newlyweds Zuo Wei and Hu Jinpeng posed for a photo as part of a simplified ritual.

Marriage registration in Wuhan, Hubei province, used to culminate with a ceremony, where couples were handed the certificate, made a marriage vow and smiled for the cameras. This ritual, however, is suspended as the city in Central China calls for continued vigilance against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The couple regrets the loss of the sense of ceremony, but they say it also made their marriage special in some ways. They used their own smartphones to record every step of the registration at the Wuchang district marriage-registration office.

Wuhan's marriage-registration offices resumed service on April 3 and started to receive the first group of newlyweds as, under a new policy, applicants must make a reservation two workdays in advance and book different time slots to prevent lines or crowds.

Zuo's parents were surprised by their decision to rush into marriage only three months after starting a romantic relationship. But Zuo says the epidemic allowed them plenty of time to think carefully about their choice.

Wang Ruilong and Zhu Jing are another couple whose marriage registration, initially scheduled in January, has been delayed.

"The epidemic didn't have much impact on us. We had a very stable relationship," says Wang, who lived with his fiancee during the city's lockdown. The only change is in their wedding plan, which has been shelved after authorities warned against mass gatherings.

Wang says his fiancee is pregnant and the wedding will be held after she gives birth to their baby. "We hope the blessing can come in twos."

Xinhua