It’s not that common for expats to get married in Malaysia, partly due to demographics, but with the Tourism Ministry actively promoting romantic tropical beach weddings, it may become more common as it’s a surprisingly easy process.

There are two different systems for registering a marriage in Malaysia: a civil registration for non-Muslim couples and an Islamic procedure for Muslim couples. If one partner is Muslim, the other will be required to convert before marriage. Other religious ceremonies are not recognised as legal marriages without a civil registration also having taken place. Legal marriages conducted in Malaysia are recognised overseas – there’s no need to get married again in your home country, although you may be required to register your marriage with your embassy.

For non-Muslim couples, the civil registration ceremony is generally low key and there may not be any celebration. The big affair is the traditional or religious marriage ceremony, generally followed by a reception on an epic scale. Hindus will hold a ceremony in a temple or wedding hall that may go on for hours, while the Chinese community observe traditional rituals such as the tea ceremony. Christians may have a church ceremony, in one of the many churches of various denominations in KL. You may be able to find a religious official who is also an Assistant Registrar; this means you’ll be able to combine your civil and religious ceremonies but you may have fewer choices of location. Receptions can vary from the extremely grand – dinner for a couple of hundred at a five star hotel is not uncommon – to simple at home affairs. Malaysia’s multi-cultural society means you may have the opportunity to attend many different types of wedding. If you’re invited to a friend or colleague’s wedding it’s a great way to get a taste of real Malaysian life and you’re guaranteed great food!