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Eight's great for a wedding date Eight's great for a wedding date
(about 23 hours later)
Dozens of couples are heading to Gretna to get married on the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008. Dozens of couples have been heading to Gretna to get married on the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008.
A total of 69 weddings are expected to take place in the south of Scotland town on the special date. A total of 69 weddings were expected to take place in the south of Scotland town on the special date.
The number eight is considered lucky by many people, particularly in China because it sounds like the Mandarin and Cantonese word for prosperity.The number eight is considered lucky by many people, particularly in China because it sounds like the Mandarin and Cantonese word for prosperity.
However, although many nationalities are getting married in Gretna on the day, none of them is Chinese. However, although many nationalities were getting married in Gretna on the day, none of them was Chinese.
The Dumfries and Galloway town is the site of thousands of weddings each year.The Dumfries and Galloway town is the site of thousands of weddings each year.
Special dates regularly produce a surge in the number of ceremonies.Special dates regularly produce a surge in the number of ceremonies.
Last year there were 78 weddings on 7 July.Last year there were 78 weddings on 7 July.
Exotic locationsExotic locations
This year, 8 August has proved to be the busiest day with demand from right around the world.This year, 8 August has proved to be the busiest day with demand from right around the world.
Senior Registrar Jane Chandler said: "We have 69 weddings taking place in and around the Gretna district.Senior Registrar Jane Chandler said: "We have 69 weddings taking place in and around the Gretna district.
"They are from all over the UK as well as abroad with exotic locations such as Australia, South Africa, even Mauritius."They are from all over the UK as well as abroad with exotic locations such as Australia, South Africa, even Mauritius.
"We have two couples from Germany, we have Belgians and Spaniards - all nationalities.""We have two couples from Germany, we have Belgians and Spaniards - all nationalities."
The town became a destination for young lovers after the Marriage Act was passed in 1754 in England, which outlawed marriages without parental consent if either party was under 21.The town became a destination for young lovers after the Marriage Act was passed in 1754 in England, which outlawed marriages without parental consent if either party was under 21.
A tradition developed of couples travelling over the border to Scotland, which had more lenient laws.A tradition developed of couples travelling over the border to Scotland, which had more lenient laws.