Golden wedding ceremony is held for 78 elderly couples in Xingshan, Hubei Province. [chinadaily.com.cn]

With the Double Ninth Festival approaching, local government held a golden wedding ceremony for 78 couples in Xingshan, Hubei Province. Professional photographers were invited to shoot wedding photos for elderly couples free of charge. For the majority of the couples, it was the first wedding photo of their lives.

The Double Ninth Festival dates back 2,000 years, and refers to the 9th day of the 9th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. In modern times, it is seen as a day to celebrate longevity, which is why it is celebrated in honor of the elderly.

Golden wedding ceremony is held for 78 couples in Xingshan, Hubei Province. [chinadaily.com.cn]

Among the 78 pairs of timeless couples, the oldest is 92 years old, and the longest marriage spans 65 years. They started their families under difficult circumstances 50 years ago, and due to the poor clothing and shooting conditions, the lack of wedding photos is their biggest regret.

Li Daolin and Shu Huatao, a couple who attended the golden wedding ceremony, used to support each other through letters when Li served in the army thousands of miles away. This year marks the 50th anniversary of their marriage. The husband of another couple, 78-year-old Chen Yongchang, said to his partner Wu Kaiju: "You look great with makeup today!"

Golden wedding ceremony is held for 78 couples in Xingshan, Hubei Province. [chinadaily.com.cn]

The wedding photos have been shot and will be given to the couples as a special gift after being refined, developed and framed. Subsequently, a collective golden wedding celebration will be held to award 10 pairs the "most beautiful golden wedding couple" prize.

"Retaking wedding photos frames happy moments and passes on the secret to happiness among golden couples, calling on a good family tradition in our society," said Peng Weihua, chairman of the women's federation in the county.

Yang Zishuo contributed to this story.

Golden wedding ceremony is held for 78 couples in Xingshan, Hubei Province. [chinadaily.com.cn]

Golden wedding ceremony is held for 78 couples in Xingshan, Hubei Province. [chinadaily.com.cn]

Golden wedding ceremony is held for 78 couples in Xingshan, Hubei Province. [chinadaily.com.cn]

Golden wedding ceremony is held for 78 couples in Xingshan, Hubei Province. [chinadaily.com.cn]

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn)