In the business: (From left) Wong and Tan.
Marriage registration slots filling fast before the Year of the Dragon ends
PETALING JAYA: With the Year of the Dragon coming to an end on Jan 28, many couples in the Klang Valley are rushing to register their unions before the next zodiac sign takes over.
However in Penang, it’s totally a different scenario with marriage registration seeing a drop but it is not all related to the Year of the Snake which falls on Jan 29, the first day of the Chinese New Year.
The rush by suitors and their sweethearts in Klang Valley has led to wedding halls being fully booked.
All online appointment slots for marriage registration at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) for November and December have been filled, said vice-president Ng Geok Chee.
“Online appointments are opened every two months. The slots for these two months have been filled quickly. We anticipate increased demand in January as well,” she said. “Our secretariat receives inquiries almost daily regarding January registration appointments.”
In Chinese culture, the Year of the Dragon is viewed as an auspicious time for events like marriage, as the dragon symbolises power, strength and good fortune, promising success and prosperity.
Many couples believe that there will be abundant blessings in marrying this year.
As for the Year of the Snake, while respected, it is seen as more introspective and cautious, which may not align with a couple’s desire for a dynamic start to married life.
Ng attributes this high registration rate to couples preferring to marry in the Year of the Dragon over the Year of the Snake.
He added that marriage registrations are conducted twice a week, accommodating 15 to 16 couples each day.
While traditional weddings and registrations were once separate events, Ng observed that contemporary attitudes have shifted, with registration now considered crucial, regardless of a subsequent traditional ceremony.
“Many couples are also choosing to travel for their wedding or honeymoon to economise on traditional celebrations,” she said.
“Traditional Chinese wedding customs are gradually fading.
“Nevertheless, it is encouraging that people are eager to marry and start families. The end of the year is a convenient time when people often take holidays to handle these significant life events,” she explained.
Malaysia Koo Soo Restaurants and Chefs Association president Wong Teu Hoon noted that Chinese restaurants are typically fully booked for wedding receptions from October to December, and into early January, before Chinese New Year.
He attributed this trend to people taking time off during year end, allowing family and friends to attend.
“Some couples would look into the Chinese zodiac and select auspicious dates, with many planning to marry in the Year of the Dragon to have a ‘dragon baby’,” he added.However, Wong observed a decline in the number of wedding guests post-pandemic.
“Our banquet hall, previously accommodating 50 tables, now hosts smaller receptions with only 20 to 30 tables,” he said.
Malaysian Association of Hotels Kuala Lumpur chairman Lim Boon Eow said there had been a strong demand for hotel venues in Kuala Lumpur for this month.
“Feedback from seven hotels indicated that they have about two weddings each weekend,” he said.In GEORGE TOWN, wedding planner Jason Tan said the drop in marriage registration could be due to the slow economy and the financial capabilities of couples.
“The trend is leaning towards tasteful receptions on a smaller scale and not extravagant affairs with hundreds of guests like before,” he said.
Tan admitted that some in the Chinese community view the Year of Snake as inauspicious for weddings, but in the modern world, couples could get hitched in any year they wanted.
That said, Tan, who is also Penang Wedding Professionals Association vice-president, noted that the current Year of the Dragon has been a “hot” one with many more couples planning their weddings this year.
Penang Chinese Town Hall (PCTH) registrar of marriage Lim Choo Hooi said over the decades, there was a clear pattern showing that Chinese couples preferred either Year of Dragon, Tiger and Horse to take their marriage vows.“And the Year of the Snake is like any other year.
“Maybe in some cultures, snakes are seen as negative symbols, representing cunning and danger, so people believe that children born in that year will face difficulties and challenges,” he said.
Feng shui master Mak Foo Wengg stressed that in the Chinese horoscope, there is no such thing as a year that is good or bad across the board.“It all depends on the dates and destiny charts of individuals, and it’s quite subjective,” he said.
Mak said it was a misconception to summarily perceive that the Year of the Snake was associated with misfortune, and this perspective likely stemmed from the common fear of the snake as an animal.
He said with changing times, many traditional views were gradually being replaced by modern, rational thinking.
