Singapore, Oct 6, AP – Ancient traditions and state-of-the-art technology mixed as 14 Singaporean couples exchanged vows on the internet on the last day of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, an auspicious day for weddings.
Monday’s cyber-nuptials were held to promote the use of the internet. Singaporeans are already being urged to use it for everything from matchmaking and filing lawsuits to ordering taxis and submitting tax forms.
For Patrick Ho, 30-year-old manager, the event was an opportunity to show the world how much he loved his bride, The Straits Times reported Tuesday.
"I want to share this special day with friends, family and even strangers," Ho was quoted as saying.
For his bride, Ho Sau Moi, 27, a cyber wedding was an exciting way of sharing the ceremony with her relatives who have logged onto to the Internet in neighbouring Malaysia.
Each marriage was recorded on video and transmitted live through the one-stop website. Friends, relatives and strangers could sign electronic guest books and send congratulatory digital cards to the newlyweds.
The event was a joint project between the Registry of Marriages and the National Computer Board.
The Straits Times said it believed the cyber marriages were the world’s first.
AP ab 06/10/98 19-51NZ
