More Taiwanese rushing to tie the knot before Lunar New Year
By Channel NewsAsia's Taiwan Correspondent Christina Lo | Posted: 10 January 2009 0048 hrs

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TAIPEI : Like the rest of world, Taiwan is facing an economic winter, as businesses report poor turnover for the fourth quarter. But amidst the gloom, the island's wedding industry is bucking the trend.

30-year-old Chun and 28-year-old Tracy have been rehearsing for their big day.

As the saying goes, it is always good luck to welcome the new year with your life partner.

After dating for one and a half years, Chun and Tracy are now frantically preparing for their wedding.

As it turns out, they are not the only couple trying to beat the Lunar New Year deadline.

According to Taiwan's interior ministry, some 16,000 couples tied the knot in November. This compares with 11,000 couples who got married the previous November.

Some blame the sharp spike on superstition. The next lunar year is known as the "Gu-Luan" year, which comes with two days marking the arrival of spring. And that apparently, signals a bad year for weddings.

Chun said: "I heard that next year is a Gu-Luan year. So we fixed our wedding on January 10, to avoid the Lunar New Year. I heard from the news, and my family also warned me about Gu-Luan year. We are glad to be able to avoid any bad luck."

Stella Huang, a wedding planner, said: "Gu means lonely. It is said (for) those who get married in Gu-Luan year, one spouse might pass away early, or their marriage might not last long. Taiwanese people will especially avoid bad luck like this."

Superstition or not, the belief has triggered brisk business for bridal shops in Taipei.

Stella, who runs her own wedding planning studio, said she is fully booked until January 25, the last day of the current Year of the Rat.

Similarly, hotels and restaurants are also reporting bumper business for the fourth quarter.

Reports said a wedding venue in Taichung city logged a 42.6 per cent jump in business for November alone.

And others in the wedding business said they are expecting another wave of weddings, before the Year of the Rat ends.

For many Taiwanese, the belief surrounding the "Gu-Luan" year is no more than an old wives' tale.

In fact, wedding planners Channel NewsAsia spoke to said they have received bookings up till next August. For them, the ringing of the cash register must be the best omen for the new year. - CNA/ms