Some Delaware couples are hoping for a stroke of nuptial luck when they tie the knot on August 8, 2008, an auspicious day in Chinese culture.
New Castle County Clerk of the Peace Ken Boulden says he’s booked to marry eight couples in the morning, eight in the afternoon, and if more people call for appointments, eight more at night to complete the lucky triad of eights.
The weddings will create a huge spike in summertime ceremonies, which typically drop to a handful in August, Boulden said.
Couples began calling to request the date two months ago, he said, rivaling Valentine’s Day as a wedding date in the county.
Many couples were interested in being married on August 8 because the number eight is a very lucky number in China, Boulden said.
The Chinese pronunciation of the word “eight” is very similar to the pronunciation of the word for “prosperity,” so Chinese people consider the two words related.
According to Chinese traditions, the more “eights” that are involved in a couple’s lives, the more likely that couple is to have wealth and happiness, he said.
The date’s popularity also may have something to do with the Summer Olympics, which begin in Beijing at 8:08 p.m. on August 8, Boulden said.
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“The number eight has been subliminally etched into our minds and people have attached a special significance to it,” he said.
The number is so significant to some couples they requested to be the eighth wedding of the day or married at eight minutes past the hour, said Boulden.
Delawareans have a thing for numbers, whether they are gambling or getting married, said Tom Coviello, the clerk’s chief deputy.
A triple-digit wedding date makes a couple unique, Coviello said, but it could also come in handy in the future.
“You can’t get in trouble with the new wife for missing your anniversary because you won’t forget the date,” he said.
Love of numbers must be something unique to Delaware because nearby counties are not experiencing the same spike in weddings, Boulden said.
There is something special about eight, however, because Boulden said he did not perform a single ceremony on July 7, 2007.
