Thousands of Beijing couples are hoping they will get a double dose of good luck by marrying on the first day of the Olympics and the auspicious date of August 8, 2008.

The China Daily reports that m than 16,400 Chinese couples have registered to get hitched on Friday, five times the number who got married on the same date last year

The number eight is believed to bring happiness and fortune in Chinese culture, with the Olympics combining to make the date extra special.

The China Daily quoted someone saying "Eight is such an auspicious number, and with the opening of the Beijing Olympics, the whole nation will be celebrating with us,"

"Having 2008-08-08 stamped on my marriage certificate will make it extra special," one person quoted!!

This is not happening in China, many countries believe today to be the best day to marry someone!!!

Associated Press reported that in the United States, the wedding and gift registry site WeddingChannel.com has seen a 213 per cent increase in weddings planned for August 8, 2008, compared with the same Friday last year on August 10.