On 20 May 2023, Shanghai marriage registries faced concentrated demand from couples wishing to marry on “520,” a date that sounds like “I love you” in Chinese. An English-language Shanghai government report said reservations opened one month ahead and were almost fully booked citywide; all 80 places in Songjiang district had been taken. Walk-ins remained possible, but couples were warned they could wait a long time.
What distinguishes this wait is the way an administrative place in line became attached to a play on the date itself. Couples competed a month in advance not only to marry, but to have a particular symbolic date printed on the certificate.