Malaysia - AUGUST 8 will forever be etched in Gok Chin Cheong's memory - it was the day he turned 23 and also the day he got registered to Lee Chai Yin, 24.

The couple decided to tie the knot after a whirlwind four-month courtship and a proposal that included 99 flowers and a group of close friends during a karaoke session.

"We were both schoolmates at SJK (C) Taman Rashna but lost contact when we moved on to diffirent secondary schools,?"Chai Yin said.

"We met again when we both played badminton at a club, but only got together after a group trip to Tioman in April this year.

"It was my husband's idea to get married today to mark the two special occasions and we plan to have our wedding ceremony on 09.09.09."

The couple later headed to KL for a celebratory lunch and returned to Klang for a karaoke session where the bride had a surprise lined up for her groom.

Gok and Chai Yin were among the 238 couples who tied the knot at the Hokkien Association Hall in Klang during a mass registration ceremony held to mark 08.08.08.

Hokkien Association treasurer and event adviser Lim Sze Teck said this was the first time they had a mass registration ceremony together with a three-day bridal fair.

"The Three 8s Wedding Fair offers some convenience for the couples as the exhibitors include wedding and photography studios, restaurants and more.

"The couples can make their enquiries and bookings under one roof instead of having to hunt around."

"The event is also unique because we invited prominent figures from the Klang community, who are also the association?s board members, to present the marriage certificates to the couples," Lim said, adding that the couples had signed their certificates before the day?s mass registration and swearing ceremony.

"We're expecting a much bigger crowd next year when we host the 09.09.09 mass wedding, and we've already had couples registering their names.

"The number 999 holds more significance for the Hokkien clan as it means longevity, hence it signifies a long-lasting marriage and happiness," he said.

Chan Kai Ong and Liong Yin Yee, both 34, chose to stand out by donning traditional Chinese outfits for the ceremony, while Koay Say Tat and Lai Shu Fong, both in their 30s, wore outfits in matching shades of pink - the bride's favourite colour.

"It was my mother who suggested that we wear traditional outfits to mark this day, which is a very 'ong' (lucky) day for the Chinese," Liong said.

"We only made the decision the night before but we managed to borrow my mum's cheongsam and a friend's traditional suit in time for today."

She said the occasion was made even more special as it coincided with the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

For Christine Ng, 29, and Tan Kok Hwa, 41, the age gap between them is not an issue as they are comfortable and care for each other.

"Coincidentally, two of my friends are are also getting married today,? said Ng.

Lee Lay Bee, 30, and Wong Wei Chong, 32, attributed lady luck to them being the first couple to receive their marriage certificates.

"We wanted to register our marriage at the Hokkien Association last year, but I was busy then," Lay Bee said.

"The association's registrar later suggested that we get married today, and we're very happy that we did."

Meanwhile, Beverly Lee, 28, and Melvin Liong, 25, were overcome with nervousness earlier in the day, but managed to recover in time to receive their certificates.

"We like each other for our unique qualities but we both enjoy teasing each other, so I think we?ll never get bored growing old together," Beverly smiled.