In August we were invited to the wedding solemnisation of Meris and Nicholas. Meris is the daughter of our friend Peter and it was nice to be included in this celebration.
Since moving to Singapore we have been invited to quite a few weddings and accompanying banquets, but never to a wedding solemnisation. That said, we really weren't sure what to expect. As it turns out, it was similar to other Chinese wedding banquets we have attended, with the exception that there was a formal ceremony at the beginning of the festivities (including the signing and witnessing of the marriage certificate). The ceremony was followed by a lovely meal and then some wedding games for the bride and groom.
A wedding solemnisation is the legal registration of a marriage and this ceremony is performed by a state approved Solemniser, in this case a Justice of the Peace. We were told that wedding solemnisations are very common in Singapore, especially because being legally married is a requirement for all young Singaporean couples wanting to apply for government-subsidised housing (the rules surrounding eligibility for government-subsidised housing are strict). It is therefore not uncommon for a young couple to legally marry, so that they can get a head start on applying for housing. The couple would then only hold their actual wedding banquet at a later date, when their housing becomes available (this could take years depending on availability). In Meris and Nicholas's case, now that they are legally married, they have applied for housing and will continue to live with their respective families until their flat is ready, at which time they will hold their wedding banquet and then start living together. An unusual way of doing things, but a way to work around the housing rules.
