Record numbers to marry on 10/10/10

Sydney: More than 100 loved-up couples are flocking to get married on the 10th day of the 10th month 2010, a date that comes around only every 100 years.

A record-breaking 106 couples will tie the knot at registry offices in NSW this Sunday. The couples will marry in civil ceremonies at Registry of Birth, Deaths and Marriages offices in Sydney, Newcastle and Parramatta. "Only once in a hundred years can couples tie the knot on the special date 10/10/10," NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos said yesterday in a statement. It will be the busiest day for registry weddings in NSW since the office was set up in 1856, he said. "The date has been so popular with couples the registry has been taking bookings since over a year ago." According to numerology websites, the date represents new beginnings, freedom and self-expression. The NSW registry has not seen such demand since 96 couples got married on 08/08/08 and staff are working hard to accommodate the couples by hiring extra venues and booking as many celebrants and ushers as possible. Thirty-five couples will marry at Parramatta, 65 at Chippendale and six at Newcastle. The registry has also extended opening hours so it can hold ceremonies right through from early morning to sunset. Some of the more highly sought after times to wed include 9.50am (10 minutes to 10am), 10am and 10.10am (AEDT). Mr Hatzistergos said brides and grooms were increasingly opting to get married in civil ceremonies. Figures show civil ceremonies are now almost twice as popular as church weddings. Traditionally the most popular time of year for a registry wedding was the October holiday weekend, followed by St Valentine`s Day. PTI