IPOH - Businessman Ooi Choan Keat and his bride Chan Yoke Yeng stood out from the crowd, many of whom had come dressed in white gowns and black suits.

Clad in festive red, they registered at a mass Valentine's Day wedding ceremony for 35 couples at the Chinese Chin Woo Athletic Association here yesterday.

A beaming Ooi, 42, said: "We wanted an authentic Chinese touch to our wedding, so we had the clothes custom-made and delivered from Shanghai."

He said he had known Chan, who is a 25-year-old clerk, for five years and decided to register their marriage on Valentine's Day because it was during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

"This made it possible for many of our family members and friends to attend too," added Ooi.

Mortgage officer Chai Liang Sun had three reasons to celebrate.

In addition to registering his marriage to medical representative Toh Kwan Yee and celebrating Valentine's Day, it was also his 26th birthday yesterday.

"When we came to the association building to choose a date to register our marriage, we opted for Valentine's Day.

"Aside from being romantic and easy to remember, Feb 14 is also my birthday," said Chai, whose bride is also 26.