There is something MacDonaldsesque about weddings at Singapore’s Registry of Marriages. From the plastic chairs and big screens in the waiting room, to the quick fire ceremony and celebrant who seemed to want to get it over and done with as soon as possible.
A good friend of mine, Stu, recently took this trip on a typically hot and muggy Singapore afternoon.
Dressed in my finest ‘junior minister on a fact finding tour’ outfit, including Panama hat, I sweated it out waiting for the bride and groom to arrive at the base of picturesque Fort Canning.
Waiting inside was not an option at this point as numerous other wedding parties were in line for what can only be described as a battery farm approach to marriage. There must have been five other parties set to take the plunge in the 30 minutes before our friends were scheduled to tie the knot.
With the bride and groom now safely arrived, and having squeezed into the air-conditioned safe haven of the registry office, we now had to work out how long to wait. No problem, on large wall mounted TV screens, details of the happy couples nuptials were plastered for all to see, including estimated waiting time and instructions on when to move to the prescribed “waiting area.”
How efficient.As the due time approached we are herded into a small room where the celebrant is waiting.
After a few hiccups with names… Stehart, steeeart, steve, oh Stuart, we were under orders and off. In no time at all it was over they were officially now the happy couple.
The celebrant wished a cheery, if hurried, congratulations and we were out of there in around seven minutes or so.
The drinking lasted much longer.
Cheers,
Blocka
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