@ drjtrekker – the family visa, otherwise known as the residence permit, is designed to enable foreigners to visit China to be with their immediate (Chinese resident) family member(s) e.g. a spouse and/or children. It doesn’t cover fiancés and the tourist visa should be adequate for getting married. The family visa/residence permit is typically granted for a period of 3 years and is renewable providing that the holder hasn’t broken Chinese laws.
The person in question was English.