Gearing up for the big day

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THEY range in age and background but on 11.11.11., they will all have something very significant in common.

A total of 111 couples will converge at the Che Hoon Khor Moral Uplifting Society in Penang on Nov 11 to register their marriages in a mass wedding ceremony.

With the special date less than two weeks away, preparations are in full swing for the soon-to-be newlyweds.

Such special dates rarely come around, and one of the couples choosing to wed on that day is Candy See, 23, and Toh Chin Eng, 31.

“There are six ‘ones’ so it’s an easy date to remember.

Special day: Couples (from left) Loh Beng Fatt and Diana Ooi, Toh Lay Koon and Ewe Boon Hor, together with Candy See and Toh Chin Eng meeting one another during a press conference at the Che Hoon Khow Moral Uplifting Society. All three couples, along with 108 others, will tie knot in a mass wedding ceremony on Nov 11.

“You have to wait a long time to get such dates,” said Chin Eng, a sales representative.

See said she had booked her makeup artist right after she secured her place to get registered on 11.11.11.

“I feel nervous but also excited,” said the piano teacher.

After being together for over two decades, Toh Lay Koon, 38, and Ewe Boon Hor, 41, are not wide-eyed sweethearts but both are looking forward to finally legalising their marriage.

“We had our traditional Chinese wedding ceremony in 1989.

“Since then, we’ve been blessed with three children but have never taken the trouble to register the union,” said Ewe, a salesman.

He said the 11.11.11. date would be especially significant as it was also Lay Koon’s 38th birthday.

Lay Koon, a homemaker, said they were finally getting registered as they were heeding advice given by the Government.

“Legalising our marriage will make some daily things easier for us,” she said, adding that she was excited about the event.

When registrations for the 11.11.11. mass wedding ceremony opened at the Che Hoon Khor Moral Uplifting Society on Sept 1, Diana Ooi, 29, and her partner Loh Beng Fatt, 36, were there bright and early.

“It’s a very special and memorable date to get registered. It’ll also be easy to remember!” said Loh, a marketing assistant manager.

Ooi said she would not have to worry about booking someone to do her makeup and hair as it was included in a bridal package she signed with Crystal Brides.

Coincidentally, Crystal Brides has also stepped in as the main sponsor for the mass wedding ceremony.

Bridal house managing director Terry Lean said the society’s hall would be transformed into a “crystal palace” for the occasion.

“Couples whose attire best match the ‘crystal’ theme will walk away with mystery gifts.

“Special photography sessions will also be up for grabs for 11 couples who will be randomly chosen to declare their love for one another,” said Lean.

He added that RM10,000 would be spent on the hall’s decorations, and RM12,000 in prizes would be given out on the day.