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Couples take last unusual wedding date of the century Couples take last unusual wedding date of the century
(about 7 hours later)
By Josephine McDermott BBC News, LondonBy Josephine McDermott BBC News, London
Register offices across the country have reported an increase in wedding bookings as couples choose to get married on the last day of the century when the date, month and year match.Register offices across the country have reported an increase in wedding bookings as couples choose to get married on the last day of the century when the date, month and year match.
Fifty-one ceremonies will take place in the district of Gretna in southern Scotland, which is well known for Gretna Green - a 25-fold increase on the same day last year.Fifty-one ceremonies will take place in the district of Gretna in southern Scotland, which is well known for Gretna Green - a 25-fold increase on the same day last year.
It will be 89 years before 01/01/2101 comes around. It will be just over 88 years before 01/01/2101 comes around.
In Gloucestershire, west England, there will be 12 ceremonies. The number of weddings on an average Wednesday is one.In Gloucestershire, west England, there will be 12 ceremonies. The number of weddings on an average Wednesday is one.
'Won't forget date''Won't forget date'
In Barnet, north London, 14 have been booked, about three times more than usual.In Barnet, north London, 14 have been booked, about three times more than usual.
One couple said they particularly wanted the date because the number 12 has had significance their whole relationship.One couple said they particularly wanted the date because the number 12 has had significance their whole relationship.
Joeh Chan, 24, and Ginny Chan, 20, from Colindale, Barnet, will be exchanging vows at 12:00 GMT.Joeh Chan, 24, and Ginny Chan, 20, from Colindale, Barnet, will be exchanging vows at 12:00 GMT.
Joeh said: "We met on the 12th of the 12th four years ago at a friend's party."Joeh said: "We met on the 12th of the 12th four years ago at a friend's party."
He proposed on Ginny's birthday, the 12th of October.He proposed on Ginny's birthday, the 12th of October.
He added that he had planned to propose on 12/12 last year but Ginny was sick. He waited almost a year for the right date again.He added that he had planned to propose on 12/12 last year but Ginny was sick. He waited almost a year for the right date again.
"I waited until her birthday because I wanted an occasion that felt special."I waited until her birthday because I wanted an occasion that felt special.
"Twelve has been really lucky for me.""Twelve has been really lucky for me."
Ginny said: "He has no excuse now for forgetting the date."Ginny said: "He has no excuse now for forgetting the date."
'Year to remember''Year to remember'
Barbara Aves, 65, and David Donno, 67, will be one of six couples marrying in Havering, north-east London.Barbara Aves, 65, and David Donno, 67, will be one of six couples marrying in Havering, north-east London.
They have also chosen to wed at 12:00 GMT.They have also chosen to wed at 12:00 GMT.
Barbara and David married partners a week apart in 1969 and were later widowed. They met seven years ago.Barbara and David married partners a week apart in 1969 and were later widowed. They met seven years ago.
Barbara, a retired civil servant, from East Ham, east London, said they chose the date because 2012 had been such a memorable year with both the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics.Barbara, a retired civil servant, from East Ham, east London, said they chose the date because 2012 had been such a memorable year with both the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics.
The couple became engaged in September.The couple became engaged in September.
"Twenty-twelve's been a really good year," she said."Twenty-twelve's been a really good year," she said.
Marcus du Sautoy, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University and President of the Mathematical Association said he thought the rush to marry on 12/12/12 shows what a "mathematical mind" people have.Marcus du Sautoy, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University and President of the Mathematical Association said he thought the rush to marry on 12/12/12 shows what a "mathematical mind" people have.
"They are drawn to these dates because they see a pattern," he said."They are drawn to these dates because they see a pattern," he said.
"Although it looks trivial people being drawn to this date, actually it's a very powerful way of looking at the world."Although it looks trivial people being drawn to this date, actually it's a very powerful way of looking at the world.
"I think it's less trivial than it looks.""I think it's less trivial than it looks."
Commenting on the unusual nature of dates at the start of the century, he added: "We are all incredibly lucky to be living in this 12-year period because it's pretty fallow after that."Commenting on the unusual nature of dates at the start of the century, he added: "We are all incredibly lucky to be living in this 12-year period because it's pretty fallow after that."
Councils noted that on 9/9/09 when the date proved similarly popular, it was of particular interest to couples in the emergency services.Councils noted that on 9/9/09 when the date proved similarly popular, it was of particular interest to couples in the emergency services.