More than 20,000 people attended a mass wedding for 18 newlywed couples at the Malacca International Trade Centre (MITC) yesterday – likely causing utter chaos for ushers trying to seat guests according to their relation to the bride or groom.
The mass ceremony, called the Majlis Perkahwinan Perdana 2014, was organised by the Development Committee of Bukit Katil and aimed to lower wedding costs for newlyweds and to foster closer ties in the community.
Bukit Katil UMNO chief Mohd Ali Rustam, who is also former Malacca Chief Minister, explained the programme to Harian Metro‘s Nur Ain Musdad: “To participate in the wedding programme, interested couples need only pay RM2,000 and see to their own wardrobe and make-up needs, while all other preparations and catering arrangements are handled by the organisers.”
The event’s youngest couple, 21-year old Zulhelmi Kaharuddin and his bride Nurulain Mohammad, 15, were grateful for the Majlis Perkahwinan Perdana’s assistance in getting them hitched.
“With rising living costs, a mass wedding like this is the best option for couples like us, since we don’t have all that much saved up at our young age.”
