In an exclusive interview, we explored a remarkable event that unfolded in Shanghai on October 9. Nearly 90 years prior, the first collective wedding of modern China took place at the Shanghai municipal government building, breaking new ground for social traditions. Today, 18 couples from various professions across the city came together at Jiangpu Park in Yangpu District to celebrate their collective wedding and share their hopes for a bright future together.
On that very day, the newly renovated marriage and adoption registration center in Yangpu District was officially opened. Located at 1111 Changyang Road within Jiangpu Park, this center symbolizes a beautiful journey of marriage built on dedication and lifelong commitment. According to reports, the center serves as a multifaceted facility that combines marriage and adoption registration with cultural exhibitions and family counseling, offering couples a unique registration experience that blends scenic park views with rich cultural heritage.
The center’s design is striking, featuring a full glass curtain wall and an entrance embellished in traditional Chinese red, artfully shaped into a semi-circular gate adorned with motifs representing love and companionship. Inside, the spacious registration hall is furnished with soft sofas, casual seating, and aesthetically pleasing photo backdrops for couples to capture their special moments.
Staff members shared that the center prioritizes a “face-to-face” service approach, creating closer connections with visitors and transforming the marriage registration process from a mere formality into a heartfelt, welcoming experience. Each registration room, characterized by arched doors, draws inspiration from both home entrances and bridal chambers, with unique names reflecting romantic themes, such as “Heavenly Match” and “Heart to Heart.” Couples can also find beautifully inscribed love poems within.
The center includes two certificate issuance halls: the “Double Blossoms” hall, which is adorned in red and features Shanghai’s architectural elements, symbolizing enduring love, and the “Centennial Harmony” hall, designed with a sleek, bright aesthetic and customizable backgrounds to meet couples’ diverse preferences.
Additionally, a dedicated exhibition area showcases marriage culture, featuring three interactive displays that explore various interpretations of love and marriage across different periods. Utilizing cutting-edge multimedia technology, the center conveys the essence of family values, allowing couples to celebrate the sweetness of love while considering the practicalities of marriage.
At the “Journey of Love” exhibit, couples can create personalized memory books through shared tasks. The “Whispers of Love” section presents classic literary vows, offering couples the chance to send postcards to a “Love Mailbox” to commemorate wedding anniversaries and exchange digital love letters. The last exhibit, “Harmony in Togetherness,” invites couples to engage with various family life scenarios to appreciate the nuanced commitments of family members.
The marriage culture display area is brimming with artifacts representing love and memories gathered from the community, including well-preserved engagement and marriage certificates from the 1950s, traditional sweets jars, and family heirlooms from veteran marriage mentors in Yangpu. These items tell the stories of countless families, preserving cherished memories of marriage across different eras.
Despite evolving customs, the longing for beautiful lives and harmonious families remains steadfast. During the event, surrounded by blossoming flowers and ancient trees, couples recited their vows in unison, under the watchful eyes of their guests, including several long-time couples celebrating significant anniversaries. Professor Jia Qimin and his wife, Fuli Zhen, shared insights from their over 60 years of marriage, underscoring the importance of understanding and negotiation in sustaining a relationship. “Companionship is the most enduring declaration of love,” Professor Jia remarked.
Xu Jia, the director of the Yangpu District Civil Affairs Bureau, extended heartfelt congratulations to the newlyweds, expressing hope that their marriages would reflect the happiness and good fortune of their predecessors, weaving a vibrant tapestry of life together as they embark on a new journey filled with joy.
