May 20, 2013, sounds like "I'll love you my whole life" in Chinese. Lovers want to file their marriage applications on the date.

"Marriage registration is a big deal. The metaphor of May 20, 2013, is so perfect that we both feel very happy getting married on this day," said Ms Zheng, one of the 166 newlyweds in Pingtan.

The marriage registration surge caught the civil bureau off guard. Starting from 7:00 am on Monday, couples formed a long line in front of the bureau waiting for it to open.

With only two employees on duty on Monday, they had to work their butts off to grant the licenses, said the bureau.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Michael Thai