THE city’s photo studios have seen a sharp increase in reservations for wedding photos as 9/9/09 approaches.

“In the past week, our seven studios across the city had been maintaining tight schedules because many young couples are having photos taken for the triple-nine day,” said Zhao Xinping, brand marketing manager of Shenzhen Forever Wedding Photographing Co.

“The photographers and hairdressers have been so busy they have to persuade the young couples to postpone taking photos until after Sept. 9,” Zhao said.

In cooperation with the Shenzhen General Chamber of Commerce, the company will organize a collective wedding ceremony Sept. 9 called Rose Grand Ceremony for 60 couples. On Aug. 8 last year, the company hosted a grand ceremony for 88 pairs.

“Lucky numbers can bring luck in businesses, and Sept. 9 is absolutely a chance we can’t miss,” Zhao said.

At Shijijiaren Wedding Photographing Studio, the schedules for the coming week had been fully booked.

“The photographers had been very busy in the past weeks because many wanted to prepare for their ceremonies Sept. 9 and during the National Day holidays,” said Wang Li, a manager of the studio.

Photographers had been working 12 hours a day to serve the maximum 20 couples it could handle per day, Wang said.

Han Ximin, Chen Wanxing