The relaxed marriage registration policy, which allows the couples to register their marriage at any eligible registry office nationwide regardless of their household registration location starting in May, is boosting the "love economy" across China with creative registration venues and relevant services.
In Qingdao City of east China's Shandong Province, the first high-altitude marriage registration venue of the province has been set up hundreds of meters above the ground at the Yunshang Haitian scenic spot, where a couple touring the city got their certificates in just a few minutes.
"The red roofs, green trees and blue sea and sky in Qingdao echoes the theme of lovers' pledge of eternal loyalty, so getting the marriage certificate here is very meaningful," said Liu, the husband.
Since the beginning of this year, the number of people coming to Qingdao for marriage registration has increased by more than 60 percent year on year, among which the number of newlyweds without local household registration has more than doubled.
Qingdao has also launched tourism routes themed love and wedding, and integrated resources of more than 10 relevant industries, such as tourist attractions, characteristic hotels and homestays, and photography spots.
It can provide newlyweds with one-stop services covering marriage registration, accommodation, wedding, photography and honeymoon travel.
"We set up the marriage registration venues at the most favored tourist attractions and online popular spots among young people, providing warm, romantic, elegant and solemn marriage registration services for new couples across the country," said Jiang Lianjun, director of Qingdao Civil Affairs Bureau.
The marriage registration center in Beijing's Xicheng District, adorned with love-themed decorations, has seen a sharp increase of service reservations every day since the rollout of the policy, with those without local household registration representing more than 80 percent.
"The atmosphere is nice. The oath-taking platform there, and the nearby alleys are very photogenic. We are going to take pictures at those spots," said Ding Yang, a newlywed.
After marriage registration, many newlyweds will pose for photos at the popular spots along an alley near the center, and a travel route themed love has come into being, with many stores providing relevant services.
In the first half of 2025, there were over 30 love-themed stores that opened near the center, allowing newlyweds to enjoy their service just by scanning QR codes.
In Nanchang City of east China's Jiangxi Province, a marriage registration venue has been moved to a park with special designs, where newlyweds can pose for photos against beautiful backdrops. The popular registration spot has also boosted the business of the merchants in the nearby wedding industrial park.
"It's a very good experience. Today, we also plan to order some handmade wedding cookies. When we go to the wedding banquet, we will distribute them to each table of relatives and friends, spreading our joy to everyon," said Fu Jingyi, a newlywed sitting with her husband Li Yuxuan.
So far, all the venues for wedding banquets during the National Day holiday at the industrial park have been fully booked.
The industrial park also provides a la carte service for the newlyweds, which not only meets the personalized needs, but also reduces the cost of the wedding.
Easier marriage registration boosts 'love economy' across China
