Overwhelming response for Shin Min Timeless Promise
The 22nd of July this year marked a new milestone in the lives of 80 couples who took part in the inaugural edition of the Shin Min Timeless Promise event.
At the picturesque urban wedding resort setting of Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay, these couples, five of whom have been married for over 50 years, made the heartwarming decision to renew their marriage vows in the presence of their family and friends.
The ceremony was officiated by Justice of the Peace Mr. Toh Soon Huat, who is also the Voluntary Executive Chairman of Sian Chay Medical Institution.
An exclusive 4-course Peranakan luncheon menu was curated by the hotel specially for the event. Couples and guests were wrapped in the romantic atmosphere of the exquisitely decorated space. Performers Ji Xiang and Hui Bing, a couple themselves, crooned specially curated love songs that resonated with the married couples.
Event sponsors Frederiksdal and Resorts World Cruises provided exclusive promotions at their sponsor booths.
Each couple received a vow renewal certificate, a floral bouquet and a complimentary bottle of Frederiksdal Sparkling RØD cherry wine worth $109. Lucky draw prizes worth more than $3,500 — including a pair of Resorts World Cruises balcony stateroom tickets — were also given out.
Overwhelming response
Readers started calling the hotline the moment the event was publicised on Shin Min, while radio listeners messaged the radio DJs of UFM100.3 and 96.3好FM to ask for the registration link.
The overwhelming response to the event surprised even Shin Min Daily News editor Mr. Choo Chee Wee, as they initially projected to host only 20 couples and their guests at the vow renewal ceremony.
He said, “As this is the first time for Shin Min to hold this event, I did not expect to have such an enthusiastic response with so many couples signing up.”
The event itself proved to be a resounding success, with all attendees saying they would recommend their friends and relatives to take part should it be held again next year.
Event idea inspired by wine
Mr. Choo related that the idea for the event was inspired by a wine tasting of the cherry wine produced by the Frederiksdal winery in Denmark, the event’s main sponsor.
Just as the mellow body of the cherry wine was developed after decades of the winemaking process, the same goes for the love of married couples who have lasted the test of time.
“Today’s event is the most powerful testimony of a long and lasting marriage because the requirement to participate is to be married for at least 10 years. If we calculate the total number of years our couples have been married, it would reach 2,471 years!” said Mr Choo.