Go to main content
 
Exploring Hong Kong's wedding footprint through "Wedding Stories in Archives" exhibition (with photos)
******************************************************************************************
     The Public Records Office (PRO) of the Government Records Service (GRS) today (September 2) launched its annual thematic exhibition, "Wedding Stories in Archives", to revisit with members of the public the evolution of Hong Kong's marriage systems and wedding customs.

     The earliest law related to civil marriage in Hong Kong was enacted in 1852, which was more than 170 years ago. How have marriage registration laws and systems evolved? Why were early Registrars of Marriages also Land Officers? And what are the distinctive features of traditional wedding scenes, rituals and celebrations? Is the "blind year effect" an urban myth or a real phenomenon?

     The "Wedding Stories in Archives" exhibition presents over 70 selected items. Apart from PRO's holdings, there are also items from the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Immigration Department, and the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Archives, that reveal intriguing information and guide members of the public in exploring the evolution of the following Hong Kong marriage systems and customs: 
 
  • various ways in which couples tied the knot before the enactment of the marriage law;
  • the validity of marriages performed during the Japanese Occupation; and
  • the institutionalisation of monogamous marriage in 1971.

     Many traditional wedding customs have fallen out of favour or been simplified over time. Images displayed in the exhibition, including a register of betrothal gifts, notices about marriages, and scenes of the bride being carried to the bridegroom's place in a red sedan chair, offer glimpses into Hong Kong's past wedding customs. Additionally, the exhibition revisits the development of marriage registries, including the opening of the first Sub-Registry for marriages in Kowloon in 1956, and the relocation of the Principal Marriage Registry to the High Block of Hong Kong City Hall in 1962 — places steeped in the collective memory of citizens.

     The "Wedding Stories in Archives" exhibition is open from today (September 2) onwards from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5.45pm (except public holidays), at the Exhibition Hall on the second floor of the Hong Kong Public Records Building at 13 Tsui Ping Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon. Admission is free. To enhance visitors' experience, a new optical illusion backdrop featuring traditional wedding themes has been exclusively set up near the entrance to the Exhibition Hall. Visitors who complete missions on the exhibition leaflet will receive special souvenirs.

     To facilitate those who are unable to visit in person, the PRO has developed an online exhibition (www.grs.gov.hk/ws/online/wedding/en/home/index.html). In addition, the PRO Facebook page (www.facebook.com/grs.publicrecordsoffice) will also share selected holdings and interesting stories featured in the exhibition.

     The PRO will be organising roving exhibitions to take this thematic exhibition to various districts of Hong Kong at a later date. Details will be announced later on the Government Records Service website (www.grs.gov.hk) and the PRO Facebook page. For enquiries, please contact the PRO at 2195 7700 or email to proinfo@grs.gov.hk.
 
Ends/Monday, September 2, 2024
Issued at HKT 11:00
NNNN
Archives   Yesterday's Press Releases  
Back to Index Page
Back to top
Today's Press Releases  

Photo

The Public Records Office of the Government Records Service launched the "Wedding Stories in Archives" exhibition today (September 2). Through the display of over 70 selected items, the exhibition explores the evolution of Hong Kong's marriage systems and customs, as well as showcases the distinctive features of traditional wedding scenes, rituals and celebrations. Before the introduction of marriage-related laws, couples wishing to tie the knot could choose to get married in accordance with traditional Chinese customs or to register in religious institutions.
The Public Records Office of the Government Records Service launched the "Wedding Stories in Archives" exhibition today (September 2). Through the display of over 70 selected items, the exhibition explores the evolution of Hong Kong's marriage systems and customs, as well as showcases the distinctive features of traditional wedding scenes, rituals and celebrations. Since the Principal Marriage Registry and Land Office were both located in the Supreme Court Building (currently known as the Old Supreme Court Building) at that time, the Land Officer was first appointed as the Registrar of Marriages in 1927.
The Public Records Office of the Government Records Service launched the "Wedding Stories in Archives" exhibition today (September 2). Through the display of over 70 selected items, the exhibition explores the evolution of Hong Kong's marriage systems and customs, as well as showcases the distinctive features of traditional wedding scenes, rituals and celebrations. Ordinance No. 25 of 1948 legitimised the validity of marriages performed during the Japanese Occupation.
The Public Records Office of the Government Records Service launched the "Wedding Stories in Archives" exhibition today (September 2). Through the display of over 70 selected items, the exhibition explores the evolution of Hong Kong's marriage systems and customs, as well as showcases the distinctive features of traditional wedding scenes, rituals and celebrations. After the first Sub-Registry for marriages opened in Kowloon in 1956, new marriage registries were established one after another in the urban areas and the New Territories.
The Public Records Office of the Government Records Service launched the "Wedding Stories in Archives" exhibition today (September 2). Through the display of over 70 selected items, the exhibition explores the evolution of Hong Kong's marriage systems and customs, as well as showcases the distinctive features of traditional wedding scenes, rituals and celebrations. In 1962, the Principal Marriage Registry relocated to the better-equipped High Block of Hong Kong City Hall.
The Public Records Office of the Government Records Service launched the "Wedding Stories in Archives" exhibition today (September 2). Through the display of over 70 selected items, the exhibition explores the evolution of Hong Kong's marriage systems and customs, as well as showcases the distinctive features of traditional wedding scenes, rituals and celebrations. The Marriage Reform Ordinance, which mandated monogamy, came into effect on October 7, 1971. Couples of modern marriages or customary marriages celebrated in Hong Kong before October 7, 1971, would be issued with marriage certificates after post-registration formalities.
The Public Records Office of the Government Records Service launched the "Wedding Stories in Archives" exhibition today (September 2). Through the display of over 70 selected items, the exhibition explores the evolution of Hong Kong's marriage systems and customs, as well as showcases the distinctive features of traditional wedding scenes, rituals and celebrations. The exhibition also showcases images of the wedding scenes, rituals and celebrations that have shaped matrimony across different eras, offering glimpses into Hong Kong's past wedding customs.
The Public Records Office of the Government Records Service launched the "Wedding Stories in Archives" exhibition today (September 2). Through the display of over 70 selected items, the exhibition explores the evolution of Hong Kong's marriage systems and customs, as well as showcases the distinctive features of traditional wedding scenes, rituals and celebrations. To enhance visitors' experience, a new optical illusion backdrop featuring traditional wedding themes has been exclusively set up near the entrance to the Exhibition Hall. Visitors who complete missions on the exhibition leaflet will also receive special souvenirs.