THE desire to have a baby in the “Year of the Dragon” in 2024 has triggered a marriage rush among Chinese couples, who believe it is an especially auspicious time to have a baby.

As the Chinese normally have their wedding banquets in restaurants, the popular ones and the catering industry in general are gearing up for a hectic rest of the year.

Some restaurateurs told The Malaysian Insight they are 95% booked for such banquets as couples look to have “dragon babies”.

The Chinese believe babies born in this iteration of the 12-year zodiac cycle are gifted with prodigious luck and strength.

In ancient times, the dragon was a symbol reserved for the Chinese emperor.

Koo Soo Kwong Choon Tong Restaurant and Tea-house Association chairman Vinah Yee Yook Chee said December will be the busiest month for restaurants in Penang, with many couples already having booked their wedding banquet on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Yee said there has been a rush of enquiries for the first few months of next year and some have put down deposits for their bookings.

She said the majority of wedding party reservations are made well in advance as the number of restaurants in Penang has shrunk, ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the survivors were mostly small- and medium-sized ones with limited seating.

“The large ones have either shuttered or are still preparing to reopen.”

Yee said couples who can afford two receptions are keeping banquet slots filled.

“Modern couples tend to go for a more simple and romantic reception with close friends, something that would send family elders shuddering in horror.

“Afraid that their elders will not be able to accept it, many will hold two receptions. One with their close friends, the other more traditionally with relatives and family friends.”

Wong Teu Hoon, Pan Malaysia Koo Soo Restaurants and Chefs Association president, said Chinese consider weddings between August and December auspicious.

“That’s a reason some restaurants say their wedding banquet bookings in the second half of the year are as high as 75%.”

Wong said the pre-pandemic trend of holding big banquets has returned.

He said before Covid-19, it was normal for couples to hold 60- to 70-table banquets.

Though restrictions were lifted, confidence was slow to return, so banquets were 20- to 40-table affairs, he said.

“After the outbreak, the banquets were less grand, with most couples only inviting close relatives.”

Steeped in tradition

Wedding photographer Jacky Wong said 95% of his booking slots this year have been filled.

Wong, whose studio bears his name, said after pandemic restrictions were lifted, bookings started coming “one after another”.

He said July 8, September 16 and 23, October 14, November 14, December 2 and 3, all auspicious dates for the Chinese, will be “super busy days” for him.

“We may be living in modern times, but for many, traditions die hard. Choosing a good day to get married is still very important for a couple.”

Wong said December 2 will be an especially busy day.

He said he received at least 60 enquiries for his services for that day.

Wong said of the many couples getting married this year, some 60% were those whose original weddings were disrupted by the pandemic.

Photo studio Stareast Wedding Signature general manager Jessy Lian Baojing said between September and December, the only month in which her studio will have it easy is October.

“September, November and December, we will have our hands full. We’ll be especially busy on public holidays.”

Lian advised couples to book professional wedding photographers at least six months in advance. – July 27, 2023.