NSW Registrar Amit Padhiar said the Double Happiness commemorative marriage certificate was released today on 20 May which is a popular love celebration day in China.
“The number 520 in Mandarin sounds like ‘I love you’ and 520 Day has become a popular day for weddings, with the Registry conducting 22 weddings this year and 16 weddings last year,” Mr Padhiar said.
“The certificate design was inspired by the beautiful resident Koi fish at the Chinese Gardens of Friendship, which is fitting as this exquisite micro-wedding venue has now returned as a Registry offering.”
Australian-Chinese contemporary brush painter Lucy Wang combined traditional oriental brush painting with unique colour and visual aesthetics to create the Double Happiness design.
Ms Wang said the design features two Koi fish which have been positioned to balance one another and symbolise harmony and happiness.
“The vibrant red and pink peonies are a symbol of love and romance while the Chinese character ‘Xi’ means double happiness and has been used to represent the celebration and joy of marriage,” Ms Wang said.
Ms Wang also designed the Chinese Zodiac commemorative birth certificate which has proved hugely popular with almost 1000 sold since launching three months ago.
Registry Marriage Celebrant Suzan Tan said the Double Happiness certificate provides another way for people to incorporate meaning, culture and tradition into their special day.
“We have a rich and diverse culture here in NSW, our weddings come in all different shapes and sizes and this new certificate celebrates that,” Mrs Tan said.
Micro-weddings at the Chinese Garden of Friendship are available to book on 16 September 2022 and 17 March 2023.
The Double Happiness marriage certificate joins the Registry’s growing range of commemorative certificates which seek to appeal to a broader and more inclusive range of audiences.
Commemorative marriage certificates can be obtained at any time for married people living in NSW.
Further details on commemorative certificates are available on the NSW Government website.
