SINGAPORE: In Singapore, 777 couples are tying the knot on 070707 (7 July 2007) – a date that happens once in a century.

Young couple Jane Lim and Keith Chua, finally decided to get married after knowing each other for nine years, and to mark the day, they have picked a special date for it.

Jane said: "We both like the number seven. I'm born on 7 April, which is the 7th day of the month." To which Keith quipped: "I like seven because she likes seven."

According to the Chinese almanac, 7 July 2007 is also an auspicious day.

Couple Ng Wee Feng and Lim Wee Song decided to have their wedding on this day because 23 May on the Chinese calendar is said to be a very good date for marriage and it happens to fall on 7 July this year, fitting both their solemnisation and customary dates.

The Registry of Marriages said 777 weddings on a single day is the highest so far this year, compared to the 100 or so solemnisations seen on any other Saturdays.

It also tops the 300 or so couples who got hitched on 6 June 2006 and the 100 who did so on 5 May 2005.

The date is so popular that Justice of Peace Teo Chong Tee had to turn down over 50 solemnisation requests.

He said: "I started off coming to the city, then I've got to go to Changi and travel back to the city. I think I will finally end up in one of the Chinese restaurants in Tanjong Katong. I will spend more than 12 hours today running around for our young couples."

Hotels too are running a tight schedule.

At Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, staff have to cope with a record high of 13 weddings.


- CNA/so