“Yes, I want” – these words will be heard more often this year in the wedding halls of Upper Austria’s registry offices than is usually the case in February. The reason for this is 2/2/22 and 2/22/22.
Also this year, these Schnapszahl dates have a downright magical attraction for bridal couples. In many registry offices, these special wedding days have been fully booked for almost two years – even though today’s February 2nd is a Wednesday and February 22nd falls on a Tuesday. Usually, Saturdays are popular dates for civil weddings. The day of the week is secondary this year, says Florian Köppl from the registry office in Gmunden.
Although today, Wednesday, is only a short official day at the Steyr registry office, six weddings are planned, on February 22nd eight couples will marry in Steyr. “We are fully booked. Unfortunately, we had to cancel many bridal couples who wanted to get married in our registry office on one of these two days,” says Christina Schaumberger, head of the Steyr registry office.
February was never a popular wedding month, especially because of the weather, says Gabriele Strasser from the Braunau registry office. Despite this, five weddings took place in Braunau on February 22nd. “This year the date is a good choice. The fascination for a beautiful wedding date is the decisive factor,” says Strasser.
Mnemonic and Omens
Why are the Schnapszahl dates so popular with both younger and older couples?
The registrars across the state agree: “Many believe that such a date is a good omen for a happy marriage,” says Petra Wimmer from the Vöcklabruck registry office. “It’s a cliché, but many justify their choice so that the husband can remember the date better,” says Schaumberger with a smile.
In general, more people are getting married again, says Julia Karrer from the Linz magistrate. While 531 marriages were celebrated in Linz two years ago, in 2021 there were already 671 weddings. The number of registered partnerships is also increasing again.
The registry office in Wels, where February 22nd is fully booked, also reports that there are many people willing to marry. In the first year of the pandemic, a number of couples postponed their wedding dates. Now there are many “who at least want to go through with the civil marriage”.
Only 25 people are currently admitted to the wedding ceremonies in the registry office, masks are still compulsory – the spouses must also wear FFP2 masks.
“But the couple can take off their masks when they say yes and change rings. We want to give them a carefree day,” says registrar Schaumberger.
The big wedding celebrations, however, are currently missing. “Many wedding couples have canceled the celebrations. In the registry office, the smallest family circle gets married. The celebrations will be postponed to May or early summer when the Corona situation is more stable,” says Joanna Kuttner, wedding planner and florist from Kirchdorf.
Source: Nachrichten
