(Left) Ooi serving food to Lim (in blue) during the eight-course dinner.
NOSTALGIA was in the air as longtime couples returned to the spot in Penang where their marital journeys began decades ago.
All 27 pairs hosted their wedding receptions at Shangri-La Rasa Sayang between 1975 and 1985.
The 27 couples with Christ (front row centre, in suit) and Suleiman (front row, far left). — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star
The resort in Batu Feringghi gathered them for a grand dinner called “A Tribute to Wedding Couples of the Past” as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations.
Alor Setar natives Ooi Leong Geok, 72, and Lim Yit Lee, 67, tied the knot in September 1975 and enjoyed the walk down memory lane.
“Our parents arranged the ceremony and we were delighted they chose this hotel,” shared Ooi, who runs a gas supply business.
Retired lawyer Datuk Daniel Tay Kwan Hui, 68, and banker Datin Saw Siew Phaik, 66, had extra reason to remember their big day in September 1981, as their reception was graced by the country’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj.
Tay, from Sitiawan, said, “Back then, everybody said how lucky I was to have such a beautiful wife.
“She is just as beautiful today.
“We have grandchildren now and we’re truly grateful for how our lives panned out.”
Saw, an Ipoh native, said, “Rasa Sayang was considered a prestigious place to hold special occasions back then and it still is.
“We often celebrate birthdays here.”
Wong (left) and Khoo have been married for 40 years.
Penangites Wong Jong Peng, 72, and Laura Khoo, 64, held their nuptials in September 1984 and felt that 40 years breezed by in the blink of an eye.
Wong, who used to run an ad agency, said, “At the time, most weddings we attended were held in town.
“So we thought a beach resort venue was something unique.”
Khoo, a former senior administrative assistant for a foreign consulate, added, “When we sent out invitations, many friends and relatives were impressed.”
The couple, who now run a restaurant, said the most important ingredient for a happy marriage was tolerance.
Gua and his wife Oh taking a wefie.
Michael Gua, 71, and Mabel Oh, 66, who tied the knot in April 1983, highlighted patience and thoughtfulness as important for marital bliss.
“I’ll always have a soft spot for this place,” said Gua.
He actually had a short stint working in sales at the hotel, then called Rasa Sayang Hotel, prior to its opening in November 1973.
He left to pursue a career in the airline industry.
The tribute dinner was held at the resort’s Pelangi Ballroom and featured live entertainment by Colour Phases, a four-piece band from the 1980s.
The eight-course Chinese dinner was a recreation of the original banquet menu offered in the 1970s.
A cake-cutting ceremony and group photo completed proceedings.
Each couple was also presented with a 3D/2N hotel voucher, 50th anniversary medallion and bouquet of roses.
Resort communications director Datuk Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman said the team located the first-ever couple to tie the knot at the hotel back in December 1973.
Chan Seng Chow, 74, and Thong Kit Sin, 73, hailed from Penang and Ipoh, Perak, respectively.
Their wedding brought together 1,000 guests at 100 tables.
Suleiman said the couple, now living in Australia, were unable to fly out for the dinner but had plans to come over during Chinese New Year.
Also present was Shangri-La Group Penang area general manager Markus Christ.
