That is why cousins Lim Poo Sing and Chong Phooi Mun chose the New Year to tie the knot with their loved ones.

Lim, 30, married contractor Chong Kong Ming, 43, while her cousin Chong tied the knot with home designer Tan Choon Lai, 33, together with 23 other couples at the Ipoh Chinese Chinwoo Athletic Association here yesterday.

Both Lim and Chong said they chose Jan 1 because it was an easy date to remember for anniversaries.

"But more importantly the date 01-01-11 reflects the 'oneness' in the matrimonial bond," said Lim, who plans to become a full-time housewife.

She met her husband at a friend's party and they courted for two years before registering their marriage.

The younger Chong, who is Lim's first cousin, said she met Tan, her prospective groom, when he used to visit a pub where she performed as a singer in Kuala Lumpur.

"He will bring me strawberries when he came to see me perform. Slowly the love blossomed and here I am standing next to the man I love on this beautiful date," she said, adding that she and her husband chose to marry on New Year because it reflected "new hope".

Chin Woo's assistant registrar for marriages Datuk Ooi Foh Sing said that 01-01-11 was a good day to get married as it symbolised a "new beginning" and "everlasting love".