Our R.O.M. 080808

Friday 080808 marked another historical milestone for us. On the day the Beijing Olympics 2008 officially began, me and Jan tied the knot in a Mass Marriage Registration Ceremony at Thean Hou Temple. Together with the other 227 couples (there were 228 couples in the morning session), we said "I DO..." and exchanged wedding rings in the Thean Hou Temple's hall, traditionally decorated for the 080808 Mass Wedding event.

Event started with the arrival of Brides and Grooms at 7:30am. When all has arrived and taken their seats, the Marriage Registration Department Officer gave a welcome speech and it was soon followed by a Photography Session where all the 228 couples took a group photo together right in front of the temple.

Everyone was then led into the hall again for the next event, Benediction by the Monk. The monk gave a superb speech shortly after and even cracked some jokes, much to the amusement of all on the floor. After quite a lengthy yet interesting speech, came the Solemnization Ceremony where couples sworn on the oath, exchanged vows and wedding rings and the grooms then kissed their brides.

The final event of the day was the Marriage Certificate signing ceremony where couples were called onto the stage to pen down a lifetime contract, witnessed by the Marriage Registration Officer together with the couples' witnesses.

My cousin brother Kay Han and my sister Cindy took the trouble and joined us as our witnesses on our historical day. Jan's parents and sisters from Ipoh were there with us too. Many thanks to all of them who made our R.O.M. much more meaningful and colorful. To our close friends and relatives who called and texted us on our ROM, thanks a bunch.

Some of the pics taken during our R.O.M 080808 yesterday.