Figures show 2,770 couples in Tianjin failed to show up at a marriage registration office last year after making an appointment, accounting for nearly 17 percent of total appointments, Today Evening News reported on Wednesday.

An unidentified civil affairs officer in charge of marriage registration told the newspaper the high no-show rate was due to increasing numbers of “flash marriages”, in which young couples make hot-headed marriage promises but regret the decision afterwards.

“We hope young couples can be more serious about making a marriage appointment. But of course, we understand some relationships just don’t work out,” the person said.

Research of the no-show couples suggested that nearly 20 percent broke up after a flash marriage decision, around 30 percent decided to spend more time to get to know each other, while the other 50 percent said they decided to get financially prepared first.