Wedding season is heating up again.Wedding reception host Yan Yi said he is already fully booked for the National Day holiday period.

"My cell phone is always busy lately," said Yan, who has been a wedding emcee for nine years. "Many are asking for rates on the long holiday."

Sometimes Yan receives requests for four bookings on the same day, but he can only choose one wedding per day.

The emcee always carries mints in case of a hoarse throat.

"Way too many couples are getting married this year," said Yan. "I've never seen anything like it since I started this job."

There will be more weddings in October than there were during May's Golden Week, said Wang Cuidi, director of the Xuhui District Marriage Registry Office.

About 30,000 couples in the city tied the knot during the May holiday.

"We will give out number plates to each couple to maintain order," said Wang.

The rush to get married has been triggered by an auspicious lunar calendar this year. The Year of the Dog has two lunar springs and Qixi Festival, also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day, was celebrated twice this year. Thus it is considered a great year for getting hitched.

Employees at wedding service companies said they will have to work overtime during the holiday.

"October 3, 6, 7 and 8 are already booked full at my company," said Yu Jian, manager at Shanghai Jinqin Wedding Service Company.

Yu said many bookings were made six months ago.

Meanwhile, the cost of a wedding during the Golden Week might be as pricey as real gold.

A rose arch door usually costs 300 yuan (US$37.5), but it's priced at 2,000 yuan during the long holiday, Yu said.
 
(Shanghai Daily September 9, 2006)