September 9 was the ninth day of the ninth month of the 99^th year since the founding of Taiwan. Also, the number nine is auspicious in Chinese, because it sounds like the word "longevity."

The mass wedding ceremony was held at 8 a.m. at a pavilion of the Taipei International Flora Exposition.

Taipei's Mayor Hau Lung-bin served as the chief witness, and sent out his blessing at 9:09 a.m.The couples also received blessings from area temples, where bells were rung to celebrate the event.

Among the couples married, according to the Taipei mayor's civil affairs department: one couple who have been in love for 16 years; one couple who've had a three-year long-distance relationship; and people with birthdays on September 9.