by singaporebrides
issue #8 singaporebrides.com complimentary for your reading pleasure
The Listicles Issue D e s i g n e r s | P h o t o g r a p h e r s | Ve n u e s & m o r e !
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The Team CEO Ng Chin Leng Editor Michelle Tay editor@singaporebrides.com Sub-Editors Audrie Soh Tansey Tang Business Managers Bob Mubarak Janis Heng sales@tian.com.sg Sales Executive Mae Phua Layout Design Michelle Tay Webmasters Eileen Aw Andre Ng
The Contributors Amanda Poh, Adeline Siow, Andrea Claire, Azmi Danuri, Brendan Zhang, Ebenezer Lim, Elvina Farkas, Furqan Saini, Hong Ling, Lenne Chai, Lucas Milone, Manisa Tan, Mao Yejing, Mich Tan, Ong Jollin, Rick Yang, Ryan Chan, Shaun Chen, Syaza Syarafina, Zantz Han Cover Image: Smittenpixels Photography Weddings by singaporebrides is published by Tian Dot Com Pte Ltd. 50 Ubi Crescent #01-08 Ubi TechPark Singapore 408568 Tel: +65 6254 1026 Fax: +65 6404 5478 Reproduction of this magazine in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Copyright Š 2013-2016 Tian Dot Com Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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In This Issue 230 Real Wedding Linh and Yong Xi’s LavenderFilled Hort Park Wedding
12 Article Lessons from My Wedding Planning Journey: The SubEditor’s Notes
242 Real Wedding Constance and Jason’s Kaleidoscope Flower Field Hall Wedding at Gardens by the Bay
24 Article 7 Things No One Tells You About Wedding Planning
256 Real Wedding Germaine and Mitchell’s Glamorous Wedding at Shangrila Hotel, Singapore
34 Article 10 Tips on Writing Your Own Wedding Vows 44 Article 10 Questions You Need to Ask Each Other before You Get Married
140 Article 10 Tips to Look Better in Your Pre-Wedding Photos
270 Real Wedding Sherlyn and Deyao’s Bali PreWedding Shoot with Z Wedding D’sign
150 Article 10 Ways To Decorate Your Wedding With Flowers
282 Real Wedding Jessica and Chand’s Vibrant Indian Wedding Celebration
96 Fashion Editorial Purple Reign
160 Article 10 Best Bridal Beauty Foods for Glowing Skin and Lustrous Hair
120 Article 10 Wedding Guest Behaviours Couples Secretly Hate
170 Article 10 Ways to Lose Weight Healthily
296 Real Wedding Sophia and Darren’s Breathtaking Pre-Wedding Photoshoot in Morocco
130 Article 8 Essential Things Your Wedding Photographer Wants You To Know
180 Real Wedding Meiting and Shunxiong’s Charming Pre-Wedding Shoot in Japan
54 Fashion Editorial Young & Beautiful 78 Fashion Editorial Far above the Moon
310 Real Wedding Tracy and Joseph’s Romantic Bali Wedding in Tirtha Uluwatu
194 Real Wedding Velvet and Jacky’s Destination Wedding in Kyoto 206 Real Wedding Vivan and Josh’s Parisian Garden Wedding at Grand Hyatt Singapore 218 Real Wedding Cassandra and Timothy’s Rustic Garden Affair at Conrad Centennial Singapore
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Article
LESSONS FROM MY WEDDING PLANNING JOURNEY: THE SUB-EDITOR’S NOTES As the dust from my wedding settles, I look back at the lessons I learnt from my own wedding planning journey and share my experiences with you. Text by Audrie Soh | Images by Gowns Villa and Audrie & Eugene’s family and friends
Like every bride, my wedding journey began with a question, a bended knee and a beautiful ring. Within days of my proposal, I knew I wanted a 2015 wedding – I’d even narrowed down the month I wanted to wed in, and emailed the first five wedding talents on my shortlist of wedding vendors for their availability and rates.
right and center every single day! I have to say that I was luckier than most brides-to-be. For starters, I was no stranger to weddings and the planning process. With all that exposure to all things wedding, I knew what needed to be done at once and what the usual pitfalls (read: wedding budget, guestlist and seating plan) are.
That was last December.
My best friend was also planning her wedding at the same time, so I had a companion and a listening ear who understood precisely where my frustrations or excitement came from. I was also fortunate because my parents, parents-in-law and my husband Eugene gave me the freedom to decide on the kind of wedding I wanted. But that didn’t mean my planning process was free from conflicts, roadblocks and decisions I wish I could go back and redo.
By the end of January this year, I had all my wedding vendors confirmed. I know it seems like I took only two weeks to research, peruse, email, deliberate and decide on who I wanted to work with for my wedding, but the truth is, I’ve spent the last four years collecting these information while I was on the job, albeit subconsciously. I mean, it was difficult not to, especially when you come across a sea of beautiful weddings left,
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The Journey In case you haven’t heard, wedding planning is highly stressful and emotional. I can vouch for that. At some point in my wedding planning, I was so stressed out because I was looking at wedding-related things throughout the entire day. I was ready to throw my hands up in the air and just let the wedding be! When the stress was too much, I would end up lashing out at Eugene for not helping out with the planning. It wouldn’t be the only thing we’d quarrel about. We argued over our seating plan and what was needed for our Guo Da Li and hair combing ceremonies – we’d even argued about
whether we should add a ribbon to the flowers for our car the day before our wedding! In spite of the amount of arguing we did, we knew that once the wedding was over, our quarrels would end too. Ultimately, we were bickering about our wedding, not about our relationship. The truth is, during such a time of great stress and responsibility, personalities will clash, tempers will flare and quarrels about anything and everything will ensue. But all that arguing, however small, is not a sign that you’re not meant for each other. That is just part and parcel of your wedding planning journey. I’m not saying it’s okay to pick a fight in the name of your wedding
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planning. I just want to let you know that you’re not alone when you go through arguments with your fiancé during your planning.
lights, charming wooden floorboards and the absolutely delicious fare (the most delicious chicken and mashed potatoes ever!) that I couldn’t see myself getting married anywhere else, even though I knew the place was outside of our The Compromises budget. I tried to forget about the place and fall in love with another, but when I You’re also not alone if you didn’t get couldn’t, Eugene decided to let me have to realise your dream wedding. Eugene what I wanted for our wedding. and I are both average-wage earners and didn’t see the sense in splurging And that was how I got the Nosh wedding thousands on a designer gown I was I’d always wanted. only going to wear once—as tempted as I was—or on a floral arch we were At the beginning, the idea of a non-hotel, going to stand under for ten minutes. semi-outdoor, Western style wedding Besides, we hadn’t had enough time to was a little foreign to both Eugene and save up for our wedding, so we tried to my parents, but after plenty of insistence, keep our budget as modest as possible. convincing and reassuring, they But just because I didn’t walk down acquiesced because they wanted me to the aisle in a Reem Acra or Sareh Nouri have the wedding I desired. I admit – I gown and a pair of Kate Spade heels might have been very selfish to insist that doesn’t mean my wedding was any less my wedding should be planned according magical. It was still the best day of our to what I wanted. But in return for their lives. We had plenty of fun amidst the giving in to my demands wishes, I tried rush and chaos, and I still love how our to make sure that my guests, young and day turned out. The truth is, what I wore old, would enjoy the day as much as we and didn’t get to wear on my wedding did, and that any problems my parents day didn’t affect how I felt on the day were worried about were taken care of. and how much fun I had that day. As the Chief Officer of Finance of our I did, however, get to wed at a venue I’d relationship, I knew Eugene was very always wanted to ever since I laid eyes concerned about our expenditure, on it. especially now that we’ve had to increase our budget because we’ve overspent on I first came across Nosh a year our venue. So I compromised by cutting or two ago while preparing a Real back on the rest of our wedding expenses Weddings article and simply adored as best as I could without sacrificing the the restaurant’s rustic and romantic aesthetics of my wedding vision, such as vibe. It was one of the top three venues by asking for cheaper flower alternatives, on my list to visit and when I did, I fell and opting for the lower cost option utterly and irrevocably in love with it. I when presented with two choices. was under the spell of the dreamy fairy Honestly speaking, it wasn’t that difficult
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to opt for a cheaper alternative most of the time. But when it came to choosing our wedding photographer, I had a hard time deciding between my pre-wedding photographer or my bridal boutique’s resident photographer, even though I knew the latter was the less costly option of the two. Eventually, in spite of the doubts I had, we went ahead with the latter.
The Mistake Trying to cut cost on our wedding photography was the biggest mistake I made in my wedding planning. The money we saved was not worth the regret we felt after we received our wedding photographs. My heart had
sunk deeper into the abyss than the Titanic did when I saw my wedding photographs. While I knew I couldn’t expect my photographer to replicate the ideal style of photographs I’d like to have, I had still expected professionally and properly captured photographs. What I received instead were badly taken, out-of-focus, and sloppily edited images. In the photographs, my bridesmaids and I sported purple lips and there was a grey overcast, as if we got married on a cloudy or stormy day. Just to be clear, none of us wore purple lipstick that day and it was a lovely sunny day with nary a rain cloud in sight. The discolouration of our lips was due to the colour editing our photographer
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did and to this day, I do not know why he didn’t spot the mistake or thought it’d be okay to colour our lips purple on our behalf. I also can’t figure out why he thought producing several close-up shots of the table setting and solemnisation set-up with the rest of the background heavily bokeh-ed was equivalent to capturing the beautiful set-up my stylist, Med Karlek, put together at Nosh. I felt I would have better keepsakes of my wedding venue and decor if he had captured more wide-angle shots of the entire deck and long table settings at Nosh. The framing of some of his shots were also perplexing to me, because there seemed to be a level of uncertainty in them. There were several repeats of the same image with just the slightest shift in the way it was framed. To me, it seemed like he wasn’t confident of his framing at the time of shooting and took multiple shots with a slight change in framing to decide which was the better one afterwards. But what I was most upset about was the out-of-focus group shots of us and our bridal party. It was so obviously out of focus that there was no way of overlooking or fixing it. If not for the photographs we had also taken on our phones, that crazy night would have existed only in our memories. Our wedding photographs are all the physical reminders we have from our wedding day – a day that we can’t re-do. We wanted to salvage what we could of our wedding photographs, so we alerted my boutique of our disappointment and requested for our photographer to contact us so we can discuss a way to rectify the issue. Our conversation with him turned out to be another let-down. Instead of acknowledging our concerns—which I felt was his responsibility as a professional photographer—his response made me feel like he was pointing the finger at us – at me. He defended the photographs, saying that that was his style and as the sub-editor of SingaporeBrides, he thought I would be more accepting of his colour editing since I was more exposed to different styles of photography. To be honest, I felt slightly offended. Yes, as the sub-editor of SingaporeBrides, I have seen many different wedding photography styles. But that shouldn’t define what I like or am able to to accept, and he shouldn’t have made such a baseless assumption. While it is true that all photographers have their own styles, I don’t think giving purple lips to the bride and her bridesmaids counts as a style, does it? We saw none of these coming when we first saw his work or met him at the boutique. The set of photographs we were shown convinced us (actually, Eugene) that he was capable of properly capturing our wedding day. I, on the other hand, still had my doubts. Call it an occupational hazard or my need for utter control, but
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I wasn’t 100% convinced after being shown just one set of his work. Being denied the freedom to look up his work on Facebook or having his contact details made me even more hesitant. But meeting him and finding him extremely likeable and easy-going assuaged some of my uncertainty, so Eugene and I decided to have him as our photographer. Not once did we think we’d be so disappointed in our decision and in him. Before our conversation with our photographer, Eugene and I were already resigned to that fact that there was nothing we could do about the photographs. All we wanted was to let him know that there were these problems so he could avoid making the same mistakes for the next couple, and to ask for a more neutral colour editing. But after he brandished the “You are sub-editor of SingaporeBrides so you should be more receptive” card, we didn’t want him to edit our photographs anymore and asked him for the raw files instead.
The Lessons My wedding planning taught me many things about myself, Eugene, our families and friends, and picking the right battles to fight. I had the benefit of planning my wedding at the same time my best friend was planning hers, so we had each other for company. And by sharing my experiences and what I learnt, I hope to offer a form of companionship to other couples who are currently planning their weddings and going through similar problems.
Quarrels and arguments are bound to happen but that is only a temporary state. Don’t sweat the small stuff; there are a handful of details about my wedding that I wished I could redo, but when I consider what the point of my wedding day really was, those details were inconsequential. I bet no one noticed that my bridal bouquet was whiter than I had requested for, or that the ribbons on my baby’s breath crown were silver instead of a peach colour. Oh, and don’t let last minute complications stress you out either, like when you have to deal with a reshuffling Thankfully, Eugene is quite well- of your seating plan due to a last minute versed in photo-editing and after withdrawal of a guest’s attendance. some experimenting, we managed to salvage our photographs. While they’ll At the end of the day, your wedding is never look like professionally-shot more than the colour of your flowers or photographs or resemble the style that that empty seat at the table; it’s about I like, they looked a million times better having fun, making memories and being than what we were initially given. surrounded by all your loved ones. ■ SB
To view the full set of my wedding photos, read Audrie and Eugene’s Pastel and Rose Gold Nosh Wedding.
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Article
7 THINGS NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT WEDDING PLANNING You’ll get all the help, tips and advice from family and friends when you’ve announced your wedding date. But there will still be some things they’ll miss out in their words of advice.
Text by Audrie Soh
Despite the amount of help a bride receives from the people around her, she can never be too prepared for her wedding planning and actual day. As I’ve learnt through my wedding planning last year, there were many things about wedding planning and weddings that I wasn’t aware of in spite of the amount of exposure I’ve had to weddings. So, to help brides-to-be better prepare themselves for their wedding planning and actual day, I’ve picked out seven things no one tells you about wedding planning.
and more casual weddings involve less work (and budget) than larger, formal weddings in hotel ballrooms. The truth is, it isn’t necessarily so. Whether you’re tying the knot at a cosy restaurant or a grand ballroom, the same amount of work awaits you. You’ll still have to shop for a venue, dress and other wedding vendors, and draw up a guest list and seating plan.
In fact, a more intimate and casual wedding may be more work and cost than a bigger hotel wedding, as you may have to source for your own wedding planner, stylist and stationer since 1. Casual weddings are just as most restaurants do not include these much work as formal weddings services in their wedding packages. And if you decide to embark on the DIY route, There is a misconception that smaller know that being a DIY bride involves a
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Right: Cannas and Jim’s Beautiful Pre-Wedding in Perth by TY Lim & Xiao Jun from Mocco Photography.
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lot of work and effort, especially if you do not have an elastic budget.
your relationship has always been fairly quarrel-free.
2. You’ll hardly have any time with your groom on your wedding day.
Don’t be startled if you’ve had that thought while planning your wedding. You’re not trying to sabotage your relationship and you’re not alone. Wedding planning quarrels do happen, even to the best of us, and it’s part and parcel of your wedding planning journey. During such times of immense stress and responsibility, personalities will clash, tempers will flare and differences will stand out like never before.
Your wedding day will be a flurry of activity after activity and you’ll be so occupied with fulfilling the traditional aspects of a wedding and keeping in time with your schedule that you’ll hardly have any time alone with your groom. In fact, you may spend most of your day without looking at your groom. While it’s important to complete the traditional aspects of a wedding, sharing and being in the moment with your groom is just as important. The day will never repeat itself, so set some time aside to spend with each other to bask in the joy of your wedding day.
3. Wedding planning quarrels are not a sign of your incompatibility. Wedding planning is a high stress period with a lot to do, coordinate and manage. As you move along with your planning, you may start to regard each other with fresh eyes as you discover just how different your tastes and expectations are. Sometimes, you may even wonder if these quarrels are a sign of your incompatibility, especially if
But all that arguing and disagreements, however small, are not a sign that you’re not meant for each other. After all, you’re bickering over wedding matters, not over your relationship. Once the wedding is over, these petty quarrels will not matter anymore. That being said, I’m not saying it’s okay to pick a fight in the name of your wedding planning. But if you do fight, know that it’ll be temporary and doesn’t mean that your relationship is doomed (unless it involves a major transgression). Most importantly, know that you’re not alone.
4. It’s okay if your groom is less interested in the wedding details
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Yuing Xian and Manville’s Intimate Solemnisation at Forlino by Bobbykiran Photography
than you are. Your groom is probably not going to show as much interest in the colour of your flowers or placemats and at some point, you’re going to get angry with him and tumble into a wedding planning quarrel about how he doesn’t care about the wedding. I know I did. But, his disinterest is not a sign that he’s not as vested in your wedding as you are. All he (and all the other grooms) wants for the wedding is for you to be happy and get the wedding of your dreams.
Which is why he’s content to let you take the lead for your wedding. But if you still want your groom to be more involved in the wedding in spite of that sweet reason, you can assign him some tasks for the wedding that you prefer not to do, such as looking for solemnisers or drawing up your guestlist and seating plan.
5. The small stuff really doesn’t matter. I bet you’ve heard this many times
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before. The smaller details of your wedding doesn’t matter when you look at the bigger picture – the celebration of your union and the heartfelt congratulations from your family and friends. Before my wedding day, I refused to believe that the smaller details were not as important as the celebration itself. So, I took as many preventive measures as I could to ensure that my vendors knew what I wanted right down to the smallest detail. Nonetheless, there were some minor hiccups on my actual day. My bridal flowers consisted of colours I didn’t want and the ribbons on my baby’s breath crown were silver instead of the colour I requested for. But did anyone notice? No. I was the only who did. Did it make my wedding any less fun, memorable and magical? No, it was every bit as wonderful as it would have been with peach coloured flowers and ribbons. And so I learnt, as I lay exhausted by my husband’s side after our wedding, that the small stuff really doesn’t matter. What mattered was the company and how much fun we had throughout the day. Besides, no one will remember the colour of the flowers used, but everyone is going to remember an angry bride. So, don’t sweat the small stuff.
6. There will be last minute emergencies It doesn’t matter how well prepared you are. Last minute emergencies and changes will happen, such as guests who had to cancel at the eleventh hour or guests who turn up with a plus one without informing you beforehand. Or worse, having to change your seating arrangements the night before your wedding. Whatever it is, take it in your stride. Don’t dwell on the problem. Stay calm and focus on finding a solution quickly.
7. Be aware of the hidden wedding costs Aside from the obvious expenses, pay attention to those that are not stated upfront, such as overtime costs and extra expenditure like wedding angpows for your helpers and vendors. Wedding photographers, videographers and hair and makeup stylists are booked for a certain amount of time and if your wedding exceeds their stated service hours, then you may have to pay for their overtime charges. They may also charge early morning surcharges for weddings that commence earlier in the morning. Do remember to factor these in, as these extra costs can amount to quite a bit if your wedding starts really early and ends later than expected.
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Maureen and Chuankai’s Vintage Carnival Wedding at UNA, One Rochester by Multifolds Photography
You’re also expected to hand out wedding angpows to your bridal party, vendors and other helpers as a token of appreciation for their help at the wedding. That list of people includes your drivers, the flower girl and boy, the boy who opens the door of your wedding car, children who will be rolling on your bed to bless your marriage with offspring and the good-fortuned lady who helps out with the tea ceremony, if you have any. With that long a list of people to thank, the amount can add up to hundreds quite easily. ■ SB
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181 Orchard Rd, #05-38 Orchard Central, Singapore 238896 +65 6733 7197 silhouette.com.sg info@silhouette.com.sg /33
Article
10 TIPS ON WRITING YOUR OWN WEDDING VOWS Want your exchange of promises to be personal and special, but not sure how to write your own wedding vows? Check out our 10 tips on how to express your love. Text by Tara Molloy
There is truly nothing more romantic or rewarding than writing your own wedding vows. While you probably express your love for your partner on a daily basis, doing so in front of your friends and family on your wedding day makes it even more special. Writing your own wedding vows, though, is not easy. Make the process smoother by keeping these tips in mind.
the two of you can research pre-written, less traditional wedding vows and come up with something unique together. It’s important to understand that not everyone will feel comfortable writing his own vows, and that the wedding is about you guys as a couple. Put your heads together and come up with an arrangement that works for both of you.
2. Choose a theme for your 1. Discuss the idea of writing your wedding vows. own wedding vows with your partner long before the wedding. If you and your partner do decide to write You probably have a pretty good idea of whether or not your partner will want to write his own wedding vows, and it’s a good idea to have this discussion long before you say, “I do.”
your own wedding vows, discuss a theme for them. Are you both sensitive people, or total goofballs? Allow your personalities to dictate the kind of wedding vows that you write.
If you each have very different If you want to write your own wedding personalities, this conversation is even vows, but your fiancé is too nervous more important. The last thing you want about it, agree to compromise. Perhaps is to crack jokes in your wedding vows
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Left: Feature image from To Love and To Cherish by Multifolds Photography
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Jesreen and Karan’s Singapore Celebrations, captured by Tinydot Photography
when your partner was expecting a serious declaration of love. Set up these expectations beforehand so that there are no nasty surprises on your special day.
either—you don’t have to say, “When we locked eyes, I knew immediately that I was looking at my future husband” (unless, of course, that’s true). Allow your reflection to be an honest look back on your relationship so far. A line as simple 3. Begin with an anecdote. as, “Who knew that an ordinary coffee date could lead me to my best friend?” Think of an early memory with your works beautifully. fiancé, whether it be when you first met, your first date, or another happy time, 4. Make your promises. and begin your wedding vows with that. It’s not only a sweet way to reflect back Wedding vows typically include a series on the early days of your relationship, of promises that you make to your but also an easy way to start the writing fiancé—that is, after all, what a vow is! process. These promises don’t have to follow a traditional route, though. If you’d like Don’t feel like you need to be dramatic, to add a little humour to your wedding
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Genive and Allen’s Handmade Wedding at Da Paolo Bistro and Bar in Rochester, captured by Bittersweet Photography
vows, throw in a couple memories or inside jokes. Something like, “I vow to never let you wear that green shirt again,” might sound a little silly to your family, but is guaranteed to make your fiancé smile.
err on the shorter side. You’ll spend less time writing, and won’t have to come up with as much material. Try to keep your wedding vows no longer than two minutes.
On the other hand, if you want to keep 6. Practice, practice, practice. things serious, then feel free to write serious, heartfelt vows. Don’t worry about Once you have a rough copy of your being cheesy or clichéd. Just write vows wedding vows, recite them aloud in that feel meaningful to the two of you. front of a mirror. You’ll be able to fix any mistakes you might have missed while 5. Shorter is usually sweeter. writing, and will feel more comfortable on your wedding day if you’ve practiced It’s your special day and you’re entitled beforehand. to recite wedding vows that are as long or as short as you please. Usually, Better yet, recite your vows to a trusted though, it’s better for everyone if they friend, preferably someone who knows
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Claire and Tammy’s Sweet Garden Wedding at Alkaff Mansion, captured by Tinydot Photography
both you and your fiancé well. Your friend the wedding to start writing your vows. can give you feedback on the length and This should give you plenty of time to general flow of your vows. write out a couple drafts and make final changes.
7. Don’t delay.
It’s better to start writing your wedding vows as far in advance as possible. As your big day approaches, your schedule will become even more packed with last minute details that need to be worked out—and you can’t exactly hand off the task of writing your wedding vows to one of your bridesmaids. You certainly don’t want to feel so overwhelmed or stressed that you don’t properly express your feelings. Set aside time several months ahead of
8. Don’t fuss too much, either. Once you’ve put the time and effort into writing your wedding vows and have a final copy, don’t fuss with it. You might feel like you’ve come up with a more poignant memory or a sweeter promise, but it’s most likely just your nerves. Messing around with your vows at the eleventh hour to “perfect” them might lead you to slipping up in the ceremony— something you definitely don’t want to happen.
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Maxine and Jyh Haur’s Starry Wedding in Suburbia Sentosa, captured by Eggs Benedict Chan
9. There’s no such thing such as in front of each and every one of “One-Size-Fits-All” Wedding Vows. your closest friends and family at the Your wedding vows do not have to follow any kind of traditional format if that’s not what you want. By choosing to write your own wedding vows, you’re already going an unconventional route. Use this creative license to write personalised wedding vows that don’t sound like they were lifted off some random website—it’s yours and your fiancé’s wedding, and your vows should reflect that.
ceremony, and this is something you should keep in mind when writing your vows.
However, your audience is not all of the people sitting around you. Your real audience is the person standing in front of you, to whom you are pledging to spend the rest of your life. The most important thing to remember when writing your wedding vows is that they are for your fiancé, your future spouse. Write wedding vows that will be meaningful to 10. Know your audience. the both of you, and there’s no way that You will be reciting your wedding vows you can go wrong. ■ SB
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Article
10 QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO ASK EACH OTHER BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED It’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of a wedding and neglect talking about the more important issues concerning your marriage and future. But here are 10 questions you should ask before you take the plunge. Text by Audrie Soh
Many couples do not have the habit of sitting down with their partners and asking the difficult questions that can help build the foundation for a stable marriage before their wedding and risk a chance of being disappointed in each other and their marriage when their expectations do not match their reality. Questions like “What if we can’t conceive in the usual way?” or “Is sex important to you?” are awkward and uncomfortable to talk about but discussing them before you say “I do” allows you to understand your partner’s thoughts on the matter and gives you time to work these issues out or decide if these are deal-breakers for either of you. No clue where to start or what to say? Here is a list of 10 questions we’ve put together that you need to ask your
partner before your wedding day.
1. How do you usually resolve conflicts? Many people deal with conflicts in a different way and it is important for couples to acknowledge and understand their partner’s way of managing conflicts. Some trash it out while others prefer to discuss the issue calmly or mull over the problem overnight before discussing it the next day. If you and your partner have similar methods of resolving conflicts, then you have nothing to worry about or to work out. However, if you both have a different approach to resolving conflicts,
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Right: Sophia and Darren’s Breathtaking Pre-Wedding Photoshoot in Morocco by AndroidsinBoots.
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then you’ll have to come up with a work? Are you both open to adoption? mutual agreement or way to deal with Discuss these issues with your partner conflicts. ahead of time so you won’t be caught off guard and helpless if it does happen 2. Do you want children and how to you.
many do you want?
Starting a family is an important aspect in any marriage and it is crucial for couples to talk about their expectations regarding children. Ask yourselves if you want children? If yes, when and how many do you plan to have? It is vital to discuss your plans for children before your wedding because for some, the intention of having or not having children is a deal breaker. If both of you want children, discussing when and how many children you plan on having will help you prepare mentally and financially for a baby. At the same time, you can also discuss about your roles as parents and in child care.
4. How will we celebrate holidays/ occassions with our families? Coming up with a schedule for celebrating holidays and occasions with your families is necessary, especially for couples whose families have a tradition of celebrating festivities such as Chinese New Year or Christmas together. Do you spend the first day of Chinese New Year with his family and relatives as Chinese tradition dictates, and visit your family on the second day? Or do you spend half the day with his family and half with yours? What about Mother’s and Father’s Day? For one-day festivities, you might want to celebrate in advance if you’re required to do so with both families.
3. What if we can’t conceive in the usual way? 5. Do we have similiar financial goals in mind? With more couples getting married at a later age and workplace stress climbing, cases of infertility is steadily increasing over the years. Couples who want children should discuss the issue of infertility and alternative ways of conceiving before getting married, in the event it happens to them, as the financial and emotional toll of being unable to conceive naturally may affect your marriage, especially if you require fertility treatments in the long run. And what if the fertility treatments don’t
As a family unit, you should be working towards a similar financial goal together. That means no more impulse spending or splurging on luxury goods on a whim for either of you unless you’ve met your savings goals or for a special occasion. Set a mutually agreeable savings amount for yourselves monthly or yearly and discuss if you want to deposit your savings in a joint account. Consider if you want other joint accounts for your travels or household expenses as well,
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To Love and To Cherish by Multifolds Productions
and talk about how much you are each expected to contribute. Discussing all these financial issues with your partner before you say “I do” will help mitigate any potential misunderstandings and conflicts about your financial obligations in the future.
6. What if we don’t like each other’s parents?
don’t, that’s alright too. Just be honest and open with your partner about what you dislike about your in-laws in a factual and respectful manner, and discuss ways to deal with your dislike when you’re in the presence of your inlaws. However, despite your dislike, you should never treat them rudely or with disrespect.
7. How important is sex to you?
It’ll be great if you could get along with each other’s parents – after all, a For some, the topic of sex remains an harmonious in-law relationship is the awkward subject to broach and is rarely dream of all married couples. But, if you discussed or touched upon. But couples
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should and need to talk openly about sex with one another – particularly, what sex means to them, how important sex is to them and the relationship, and how much sex they expect and want from their partner. Rarely do you have two people’s libidos match each other’s perfectly, so its essential to have an open discussion with your partner about your thoughts on sex and the part it plays in your relationship. For some, a healthy relationship is made up of both mental and physical attraction, and the absence of either component may result in the breakdown of the relationship. For some, the act of sex is a way of expressing their affections and a demonstration of love. For others, sex plays a less important part in their lives and relationship and is merely an act of procreation. Figuring out which category you and your partner fall into will help you understand and meet each other’s needs better.
8. What is considered cheating to you? Everyone has different measurements Everyone has different measurements of what is considered as cheating, so it is vital that you discuss it with your partner before your wedding to prevent future misunderstandings. Is flirting considered cheating? Or is having the thought of finding someone else attractive cheating? Again, you’ll need to talk about what constitutes as flirting
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and when flirting is acceptable.
9. Are you aware of the ways I say “I love you”? It is important to recognise and acknowledge each other’s love language for a happy marriage. First introduced in Gary Chapman’s book, The Five Love Languages, love language refers to the way an individual expresses their love. The book is based on the theory that each of us expresses our love in one or more of these five ways: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service or physical touch. How you express love is also how you expect to be shown love. It is likely that you’re aware of your own love language and if you thought hard enough about what your partner does for you, you’ll probably be able to figure out what his love language is. Or, ditch the guesswork and discuss openly with your partner about what your love language is and ask him about his, so both of you are aware of how you expect to be loved. It’s awesome if you share a similar love language, but if you don’t, you might need to work out a way to meet each other’s needs through any of these five love languages.
10. Are you all in? A happy and successful marriage
Daphne and Jonathan’s Intimate Solemnisation at The White Rabbit by Tinydot Photography
requires the effort and commitment of both parties. You can’t just walk away from the relationship over an argument like before. You have to work through it and find a common ground for both of you. You must also be willing to work towards a common goal and be willing to make necessary sacrifices for your family. It is also about working through difficult times such as unemployment or fertility issues as a couple and not pointing fingers or throwing in the towel when things get difficult. Have you and your partner discussed any of these questions before the wedding? If you haven’t, it’s still not to late to talk about them. What other questions or issues do you think couples should discuss before tying the knot? ■ SB
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young photography by Elvina Farkas | assisted by Azmi Danuri, Lucas Milone, Mich Tan | Styling by Shaun Chen | assisted by Mao Yejing (Fashion) | make up & hair by Yang Rick / Fac3inc, using YSL & KEVIN MURPHY | assisted by Hong Ling | modelled by Richie / MANNEQUIN
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beautiful Halter ballgown with blush underlay by Jawn Happy. Ever.After. Blusher veil with scattered pearl beading by Gioielli.com.sg. Tiffany T wrap white gold ring, and Atlas open wide white gold ring from Tiffany & Co.
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Left: One-shoulder ballgown with cascading ruffles by Jawn Happy.Ever.After. Tiffany T chain gold necklace from Tiffany & Co. Right: Strapless a-line gown with pleated bust and rosettedetailed skirt by The Aisle Bridal Boutique. Organza flower headpiece by Gioielli. com.sg. Paul Andrew Xiamen sandals from Pedder on Scotts.
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Left: Strapless frilled ballgown with organza rosettes, lace details, and chapel train by La Belle Couture. Right: High-waisted chiffon train by La Belle Couture. Wired padded bra and string brief from Essence by Triumph.
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Deep purple ballgown with rosette-detailed bust, low back, and rosette-edged tulle train by La Belle Couture. Black polka dot blusher veil by Gioielli.com.sg
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Left: Blush strapless ballgown with ruching detail by The Aisle Bridal Boutique. Scalloped lace bra and silk kimono robe from Essence by Triumph. Flower hair accessory by Gioielli.com.sg Fascinator by Eskpade Right: Taupe sheer sheath with floral appliquĂŠ by Silverlining Bridal Couture. Feline Chic push-up bra, Feline Chic thong and Feline Chic skirt by La Perla.
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Champagne strapless gown with floral appliquĂŠ and rosette detail by Silverlining Bridal Couture. Eneide reversible raincoat with belt from Max Mara. Schlumberger 36 stone platinum bracelet from Tiffany & Co.
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Long-sleeved ballgown with embellished illusion lace and tulle skirt by La Belle Couture. Polka dot mid-length veil by Gioielli. com.sg. Tiffany bow rose gold necklace, Tiffany bow rose gold ring, Infinity white gold ring, Tiffany T wrap rose gold ring, and Tiffany T wrap white gold ring from Tiffany & Co.
Sleeveless chiffon sheath with plunge neckline, lace inserts, and open back by Silverlining Bridal Couture. Hand-embroidered white lace headpiece by Eskpade.
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Left: Strapless guipure lace tea-length dress by Silverlining Bridal Couture. Tiffany Infinity white gold medium cuff, and Tiffany Infinity white gold medium double cuff from Tiffany & Co. Aquazzura Belgravia lattice suede pump from Pedder on Scotts. Right: Strapless trumpet gown with rosette detail bust by The Aisle Bridal Boutique. Birdcage veil by Gioielli.com.sg. Tiffany Victoria graduated line platinum necklace and Atlas open wide white gold ring from Tiffany & Co.
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Mint strapless ballgown with organza pleating and ruffle detail by The Aisle Bridal Boutique. Tiffany T wire white gold bracelet, Tiffany T wrap white gold ring, and Tiffany T wrap rose gold ring from Tiffany & Co. Suecomma Bonnie silver laminated flowers beaded slides from Pedder on Scotts.
Mauve strapless ballgown with layered tulle skirt by The Aisle Bridal Boutique. Gold embellished headband by Gioielli.com.sg. Tiffany Victoria alternating platinum bracelet from Tiffany & Co. Edenic balconette bra and Edenic high-waisted brief from La Perla.
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By appointment only
www.divinecouture.com 5 tank road #04-03 nagaratha Building Singapore 238061 | 6235 7951/52 renaiSSance kuala lumpur hotel loBBy malaySia | 03-2161 2886
divinecoutureSg divineBrideS
Left: Strapless bustier gown with icicle sequin detailing and asymmetrical layered tulle skirt by Flamingo Bridal. Right: Bateau neckline trumpet gown with baroque placement lace and nude underlay and lace train by Divine Couture. Hangisi heels by Manolo Blahnik.
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Far Above The Moon photography by Lenne Chai | assisted by Ebenezer Lim, Ryan Chan set desgn by Amanda Poh / fawn&moss make up & hair by Andrea Claire using Bed head by Tigi, NARS, Charlotte Tilbury, Sigma Beauty modelled by Jiyoung & Joo Hyun / MANNEQUIN
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Right: Structured corset sheath with crystal embellishment, contrast piping, and pleated chiffon detailing by The Wedding Present. Shoei safety helmet from Chong Aik International. Left: Cap-sleeved ballgown with 3D rosette detailing and plunge neckline on bodice, sheer back and rosette detailed tulle skirt and train by The Wedding Present.
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Left: Cap-sleeved ballgown with 3D rosette detailing and plunge neckline on bodice, sheer back and rosette detailed tulle skirt and train by The Wedding Present. Right: Bustier A-line gown with corset detailing, contrast piping, and sheer latticeedged tulle over polka-dotted lace and nude underlay by Z Wedding D’sign.
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Cap-sleeved ballgown with 3D rosette detailing and plunge neckline on bodice, sheer back and rosette detailed tulle skirt and train by The Wedding Present.
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Left: Cap-sleeved satin trumpet gown with crystal-embellished tulle neckline by Memoire & Co. Right: Halter satin fit and flare gown with beaded neckline, keyhole, and dangling crystal chains by Memoire & Co.
Halter satin fit and flare gown with beaded neckline, keyhole, and dangling crystal chains by Memoire & Co.
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Strapless sweetheart A-line gown with architectural lace pleats and ruffles, and crystal embellishment by Z Wedding D’sign.
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Structured corset satin ballgown with bow belt detail by Memoire & Co.
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Top: Illusion lace A-line gown with floral and beaded applique and organzalayered, laced-edged skirt by Divine Couture. Right: Lace fit and flare gown with plunge neckline tulle insert and crystal button back by Flamingo Bridal.
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photography by Brendan Zhang | assisted by Zantz Han | styling & art direction by Furqan Saini | assisted by Syaza Syarafina, Ong Jollin | make up & hair by Manisa Tan / Palette Inc, using YSL and Labiosthetique Tilbury, Sigma Beauty | assisted by Adeline Siow | modelled by Diya P/ Looque
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Sweetheart bustier ball gown with crystal embellished tulle and silk chiffon tiers by Silhouette the Atelier
Silk chiffon and tulle ball gown with pleated detailing and lace inserts by Silhouette the Atelier
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Embroidered Swarovski embellished trumpet gown in rose and champagne coloured silk satin and tulle by Silhouette the Atelier 102/
Off-shoulder bustier ball gown in silk organza and satin with rosette detailing by Malena Bridal Haute Couture /103
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Sleeveless gown with lace embellished sweetheart neckline by Luna Bianca Bridal Boutique
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Navy silk satin bustier mermaid gown with crystal sash detail and cascading tier fishtail by Luna Bianca Bridal Boutique
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Lavender French lace silk gown with embellishments and bow detail by Malena Bridal Haute Couture
Embellished silk lace sheath with corset detailing and detachable silk skirt overlay by Amanda Lee Weddings
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Lace sweetheart trumpet gown with sheer silk organza fishtail skirt Amanda Lee Weddings. Heels from Charles & Keith
French lace mermaid gown in tulle and silk satin with sweetheart neckline and low back by Malena Bridal Haute Couture
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French lace crop top with sheer detailing and silk skirt by Amanda Lee Weddings
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Embroidered oneshoulder silk fit and flare gown with lace inserts by Luna Bianca Bridal Boutique
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Article
10 WEDDING GUEST BEHAVIOURS COUPLES SECRETLY HATE Don’t make any of these 10 wedding guest faux pas that couples secretly hate! Text by Tara Molloy
Getting invited to a wedding, whether it’s for your best friend or a distant cousin, is always exciting. You get to dress up, enjoy delicious food, mingle with people you haven’t seen in awhile, and of course, share in the joy of the happy couple. A bride and groom’s wedding day is supposed to be one of the happiest of their lives—the last thing you want to do is ruin it with poor etiquette. Here’s a list of the top 10 wedding guest behaviours that couples secretly hate.
1. Ignoring RSVP Etiquette RSVP, which is an abbreviation for the French phrase, “Répondez, s’il vous plait,” lets the couple know whether or not you’ll be attending their wedding. Whether they include a card to be mailed back to them, a phone number, or an online registry, it’s important to respond to it in a timely fashion. This
gives them a head count so they know how many seats they should have and how much food to order. On that same note, if you RSVP “yes,” you must show up. Barring a death in your family or some other emergency, it would be unpardonably rude to ditch a wedding when the couple is counting on you to be there. You’ll cost the bride and groom a significant amount of money, and deeply hurt their feelings as well.
2. Bringing Uninvited Guests The invitation will indicate if you get a “plus one” or not. Don’t assume that the couple is fine with you bringing an extra guest—the invitation will specify whether or not they would like you to bring a date. Try not to feel too hurt if they cannot accommodate an extra person. It’s usually just a matter of budget, and is something you should
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Left: Feature image from Captivating Europe Pre-Wedding Photography by Androids in Boots (Still + Motion)
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Cannas and Jim’s Beautiful Pre-Wedding in Perth, captured by Mocco Photography
Audrie and Eugene’s Pastel and Rose Gold Nosh Wedding, captured by Gowns Villa
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respect without complaint.
3. Contacting them for logistics Work out the details of your arrival to the wedding before the wedding day to avoid any last minute confusion. Under no circumstances should you contact the bride or groom on the day of their wedding with questions about directions, parking, or other logistical information. They have enough to worry about (like getting married!) and shouldn’t have to deal with matters like that. If you do have an eleventh hour question, ask another wedding guest or member of the bridal party.
5. Showing empty-handed If the bride and groom have been nice enough to include you in their celebration (and treat you to dinner!), then it is only polite to give them a gift.
It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant—even a card with a little bit of money is better than nothing. If you can afford it, though, try to give a gift that roughly matches up to the cost of your attending the wedding. If you are especially close to the couple, you might want to consider a larger or more personal gift. Refer to the couple’s gift registry (if they have one) to find out what they truly want and need, or give 4. Arriving late a practical gift of cash. It’s also okay to Sometimes it’s expected that a wedding mail large gifts directly to the bride and will start late, and so guests have no groom, as opposed to bringing them to problem arriving well past the start time the ceremony. printed on the invitation.
6. Wearing white
This is a poor habit to get into, and only causes stress for the bride and groom. Imagine they’re ready to begin the ceremony, and only half the guests have arrived? You’re much better off coming at the specified time to avoid any confusion or hurt feelings—or worse, showing up in the middle of the ceremony. If the wedding ends up being delayed, get to know some of the other guests or catch up with a family member whom you haven’t seen in awhile.
While it might be an innocent mistake, wearing white to a wedding can seriously offend the bride and make her feel like you’re trying to steal the spotlight. Save white for your own special day; for now, wear a dress of any other colour.
7. Getting too drunk The list of things that can go wrong when a wedding guest gets too drunk
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at the reception is lengthy, from getting sick to saying something that embarrasses the bride. It’s fine to indulge a little bit; just be sure to keep yourself under control. There will potentially be many toasts that involve drinking. If you find that you’re reaching your limit, simply take tiny sips or only refill your glass a little bit. You don’t want to offend anyone by not participating in a toast, but it’s much preferred to accidentally letting slip how ugly you think the bridesmaid dresses are.
8. Letting children run amok If your child has been invited to the wedding, do your best to make sure he is well-behaved during the ceremony and reception. Bring them to the children’s corner, if the couple has prepared one with activities to keep kids entertained. Of course, kids will be kids and sometimes temper tantrums are unavoidable—but if a situation arises that you cannot quickly quell, remove your child from the room. It will give him time to calm down, and you’ll avoid disturbing the couple. It’s also a good idea to have a babysitter on call toward the end of the night, as your child starts to get tired (and possibly cranky). If you’re staying in the hotel where the reception is being held, the babysitter can watch him in your room while you continue enjoying the party downstairs.
9. Monopolising time with the Bride & the Groom It’s natural that you want to share in the joy of the bride and groom’s big day, and you should definitely make it a point to congratulate them after the ceremony or during the reception. However, avoid taking up too much of their time. They have a lot of other guests to mingle with, so you shouldn’t feel offended if you don’t get to spend a ton of time with them.
10. Oversharing on social media With Facebook and Instagram as ubiquitous as they are, you might not think twice about posting a picture of the bride or of the happy couple getting married. Before you post, though, be sure you know how the couple feels about photos of their wedding ending up all over social media. Some couples create a wedding hashtag and encourage guests to share photos - in which case, go for it! But if the couple is more private, they may want you to wait until after their wedding day to post pictures. Respect their privacy—the last thing you want is to post a photo of the bride in her dress before the groom has even had a chance to see her. ■ SB
Bernie and Samuel’s Pastel Travel-Themed Wedding at Fullerton Hotel, captured by Antelope Studios
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Article
8 ESSENTIAL THINGS YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER WANTS YOU TO KNOW We speak to four wedding photographers about eight things they want couples to know about wedding photography.
Text by Audrie Soh
Wedding photography is undoubtedly a crucial component of weddings. It is also undeniably the most misunderstood element of weddings. It takes more than the pressing of the camera shutter to yield beautiful keepsakes of a wedding day and not everyone fully comprehends the process and amount of work wedding photographers undergo to produce quality work. To help couples better understand wedding photography, four experienced and popular wedding photographers, Jerome Goh from Jerome Goh Photography, Cino from 50nFifty Productions, Melvin Lau from Multifolds Productions and Fiona Sng from Smittenpixels Photography, share with us eight things wedding photographers
want couples to know about wedding photography.
1. Why wedding photography costs so much. This is undoubtedly one of the most commonly asked questions by soonto-be-wed couples when it comes to wedding photography. And if you are one of them, consider this: photography, especially wedding photography, is a specialised skill set and a physically and mentally gruelling profession – more than you think it is. “From capture to final print, a lot of passion, dedication and man hours are devoted to the craft and it is hard work,” Fiona Sng, founder and
Right: Tricia and John’s Idyllic Engagement Shoot by Smittenpixels Photography
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lead photographer of Smittenpixels Photography, explains. “A lot of behindthe-scenes work goes unnoticed, such as the amount of years spent honing our skills, equipment and business, and the many all-nighters we pull to meet our strict deadlines.”
the service they provide. “Anyone can call themselves a “photographer” with a basic camera kit and easy access to modern photography equipment these days. But to label it as a “service” would be entirely wrong,” Cino from 50nFifty Productions contributes. “Photography is an artistic craft – doing it and doing it And wedding photography isn’t well could mean a world of difference.” just about capturing those precious moments during your pre-wedding As Jerome shares with us, “Beautiful photoshoot or on your actual wedding wedding photographs last a lifetime and day. Meticulous selection and post you want a professional photographer production of the images captured by to document and capture your wedding your photographer is also a crucial part beautifully and that takes a wedding of wedding photography. photographer years to perfect and learn.” “For busier wedding photographers, they would have full-time assistants 2. Why there is sometimes a and digital artists to help them post second photographer. process and edit the images captured, and that adds on to his cost,” Jerome Having a second photographer covering Goh from Jerome Goh Photography your wedding is definitely a good thing. reveals. “It takes anywhere between “Because a second photographer’s 2 – 5 days (or more, possibly) to edit a responsibility is to capture the main set of wedding photographs, depending highlights of the wedding beautifully on the size of the wedding. And while while the main photographer stretches it may be possible for the photographer his/her creativity in creating unique to personally edit the images captured shots,” Melvin from Multifolds at the beginning of his career, this task Productions shares. becomes increasingly untenable as his business grows simply because of the But whether a second photographer number of days that he would need to is necessary or not depends on the be out of action to complete his editing size of your wedding, your budget and for the weddings he has covered.” the working chemistry between the main and secondary photographers. But above all, what you are really paying “If your wedding is a small celebration for when you hire a professional wedding or an intimate solemnisation with just photographer is his/her experience and family and friends, then engaging one expertise, the quality of their work and photograpehr to cover the event is
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Photo by Jerome Goh Photography
sufficient,” Jerome says.
guide.
“Some photographers are more comfortable working on their own while others are good with working with a second shooter to cover different angles,” Fiona shares. “Thus, it is important for couples to know that they should pick a second photographer whom the lead photographer is comfortable with to avoid complications and miscommunication.”
Raise your hands if you’ve been guilty of browsing weddings on Pinterest and Real Weddings to pick out shots that you’d want your photographer to capture for your pre-wedding photoshoot or actual wedding day like I was!
3. Shots lists should only be a
It’s only normal for brides to come across beautiful wedding photographs and want the same shots for their own wedding, but it’s important to know and understand that it’s almost impossible
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to recreate the exact same shot for their wedding. Some of the reasons include the location, time of the day and of course, every wedding is different and had its unique moments. While you may prepare a shots’ list for your photographer, the list should be prepared with the intention of informing them what kind of shots or moments you want them to capture, for example, shots with your bridal party or quiet moments with our groom, and not with the intention to replicate. “Professional wedding photographers know what to photograph, after shooting so many weddings,” Jerome explains. “I know what I need to photograph and because every wedding is different, I let my creativity flow and capture every wedding differently and in its own unique way without a shots’ list.” “You really photographer,” photographers are supposed wedding day.”
have to trust the Melvin stresses. “Most do know what they to do on their clients’
4. There shouldn’t be a need for awkward poses. Thankfully, there isn’t much posing involved for wedding day photography, since the day is about capturing candid and real moments and emotions. “We value real moments that are unpretentious and hope to get our couples to open up and be comfortable
in their own skin while we’ll take care of the angles and pick images that are flattering for them,” Fiona explains. “But, should there be a need for a posed shot, we will guide our couples along.” To help you pose (or stand) naturally in a flattering manner, follow Jerome’s handy tip: “Try not to let your arms rest by your side when posing for a photography. Try putting your hands on your hips instead. That way, your arms will look slimmer.”
5. You may need to wait up to three to four months for your photographs. Typically, there is no limit on the amount of photographs returned for actual wedding day photography. While it varies between photographers and the size and grandeur of the wedding, a day of wedding photography usually yields between 300 – 600 images. “I usually tell my couples to decorate their wedding venue well so that I will be able to take more photographs of their guests interacting with the décor and close-up shots of the setup,” Melvin reveals. Couples can expect to receive their wedding photographs within two to three months, depending on their photographer’s schedule, contractual terms and whether it is
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Photo by 50nFifty Productions
7. Don’t ask your photographer to do something outside of his 6. Set aside some time for shots style. with close friends and family. during the peak wedding season or not.
There is really no limit on how much time you need to set aside if you want some shots with your bridal party and groom. Ideally, the more time you have, the more shots you’ll be able to dedicate to your bridal party and groom. However, if time is limited, you should set aside at least 30 minutes to an hour for photographs with your bridal party and groom.
Every photographer has their own style of photographing and editing, hence it is not prudent for couples to request for a certain style of editing from their chosen photographer. “We work very hard at what we do to establish our style of work and clients come to us because they already know what to expect by coming to us,” Fiona explains. “So, we do not do other means of post processing editing
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upon request to keep the standard of our work consistent.” Like Fiona, Jerome, Melvin and Cino feels the same way. “When you hire us for our services, it should mean that you have done your research and have an idea of what we bring to the table,” Lawrence clarifies. “Asking your photographer to follow or mimic a certain editing style is tantamount to asking them plagiarise, which is a big no-no.” “Most wedding photographers also do not practice blemish removal for actual wedding day photographs as an industry norm because there are simply plenty of photographs to filter out!” Melvin adds on.
8. What you should really look out for when choosing your wedding photographer Couples today are spoilt for choices when it comes to choosing a wedding photographer and when the market is so over-saturated with numerous photographers with the same price points and sometimes, even similar shooting and editing styles, it can difficult for couples to decide on one. Experienced and professional wedding photographers, Jerome, Cino, Melvin and Fiona, firstly list two essential things you should consider during your search for a photographer: their style, and the chemistry you have with them.
“Most importantly, the photographer’s style of work and photographs should be in line with what you are looking for,” Fiona quips. “Your chemistry with the photographer is also equally important. You should feel comfortable and at ease with him/her to trust them to handle your big day well.” Lawrence, too, echoes Fiona’s sentiments. “Book an appointment with your shortlisted photographers and look through their full wedding albums,” he advises. “Since photographers tend to be more selective when posting their work on social media platforms, what you see online may not be an accurate barometer of the quality of their works.” Aside from chemistry with the photographer, Jerome also cites personality and trustworthiness as two other factors to consider when choosing a wedding photographer. “Reviews from past clients allow couples to see how well the photographer interacts and bonds with his clients and gauge his reputability and trustworthiness through other couples’ experience with him.” According to Melvin, one other discerning factor couples should look out for when choosing a wedding photographer is his/her creativity. “Most photographers always ensure that every couple gets unique shots for their wedding – something different from what he/she did for their previous couples,” Melvin explains. “Hence, it is important to research the photographer’s works to
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Photo by Multifolds Productions
determine if his works are originals or replicated from others.” “Ultimately, price should really be the last concern,” Fiona points out. “It is vital not to spend what you cannot afford, but it is especially important to spend what you can on what’s necessary and worth the investment.” And there you have it – eight essential things your wedding photographer wants you to know about wedding photography. Of course, this list of eight only scratches the surface of what your photographer wishes you knew about wedding photography and other questions you may have. Most photographers will be more than happy to clarify your doubts and answer any questions you may have to give you a better understanding of the field of wedding photography and his profession as a wedding photographer. So, don’t be afraid to voice any questions you have during your meet-up with your shortlisted photographer! ■ SB
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Article
10 TIPS TO LOOK BETTER IN YOUR PRE-WEDDING PHOTOS You’ve hired the photographer, chosen your outfits, and decided how you want your make-up done—what else is left to do? Follow these simple tips for looking instantly better in your prewedding photos. Text by Audrie Soh
Your pre-wedding photos are the most important ones that you’ll take, outside those at your wedding itself. It’s a big day, and you want to make sure that you look your absolute best. But maybe the stress of wedding planning—or of this photo shoot—has been weighing on you, and you’re feeling nervous, or looking a bit tired. If so, follow these 10 simple tips for looking instantly better in your pre-wedding photos.
1. Abstain from alcohol and caffeine As relaxing as that post-work glass of wine might be, it’s taking a huge toll on your skin. Both alcohol and caffeine dehydrate your entire body, and make your skin more susceptible to free radical damage. So while it’s no fun, abstaining from alcohol and caffeine a
week or two before your pre-wedding shoot is one of the best ways to make you look better in photos. Replace your morning coffee with a warm cup of lemon water, which will help to flush out toxins before you start your day. In the evening, melt away the stress of the day by curling up with a mug of decaffeinated tea or a turmeric latte. Turmeric is a known anti-inflammatory that will keep both your skin and your stomach happy.
2. Drink water As you replace alcohol and coffee with healthier beverages, don’t forget to drink plenty of water, too. Nothing will make your skin look plumper, younger, and more energised than regularly drinking water throughout the day. Keep a water
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Right: Sherlyn and Deyao’s Bali Pre-Wedding Shoot with Z Wedding D’sign by Chris Ling International Photography
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Joy and Ben’s Steampunk Wedding on Nikoi Island by Daniel Beh Photography
bottle with you at all times as a reminder will also help to soothe your skin. to stay hydrated.
3. Groom your eyebrows One of the simplest ways to give your face a natural lift is to groom your eyebrows. Two to three days before your shoot, get your eyebrows professionally shaped. You’ll be amazed at how this seemingly small change enhances your entire face. If your skin is extra sensitive, you might want to allow for an extra day or two to reduce inflammation. Applying a cold compress and some aloe vera post-wax
4. Give your skin new life The morning of your pre-wedding photo shoot, apply an oxygen face mask. It’s great if you can use this regularly in the weeks leading up to your shoot, but even one application the day of will get your skin glowing. These masks energise your skin by promoting cell regeneration and better absorption of your other skin products— so that that expensive anti-ageing serum that you’ve been using religiously is even more effective.
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MAAD About You by The Peeping Thom Photography
5. Reduce eye fatigue
6. Break a sweat
Have you noticed your eyes looking tired in the wake of wedding planning? Look bright and refreshed in your prewedding photos with this age-old trick: steep two tea bags in hot water for 5 minutes, squeeze out the excess water, then refrigerate for about 20 minutes. Once the bags are chilled through, lie down and place them over your eyes for 15 minutes.
Give your cheeks a natural flush by doing a quick exercise routine before your shoot (and your shower!). Avoid anything too strenuous—you don’t want to be exhausted later in the day—but a light yoga routine or short run on the treadmill will give you a boost of energy and get your skin glowing. You’ll look and feel much better!
7. Slim down
The tannins and caffeine in the tea help to reduce inflammation and will leave Slimming down for the camera doesn’t have to mean going on a crazy diet or you looking more awake.
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losing weight. For a quick fix, focus on your pose. Standing up straight is a great first step, as well as angling your body toward the camera. Avoid letting your arms lay flush against your body, which can make them appear larger in photos. Slay any worries about a double chin by sticking your head up and out slightly. It may feel funny, but it will make your neck appear longer and your chin slimmer.
8. Get a leg up Sure, you’ve picked out the perfect outfits for your shoot, but what about footwear? Now is the time to slip into your highest heels—even if you’re not usually a fan. A tall, thin stiletto will give you an extra three or four inches of height, elongate your legs, and make you appear slimmer. They might kill your feet, but you’ll only have to wear them for a few hours and you won’t be walking around too much, anyway. And while heels are a great addition to any photo shoot, wedges and espadrilles should be avoided. They’ll add weight to your bottom half, making your feet and ankles look heavier.
9. Use props If you feel a little awkward taking photos, you’re not alone. Many people are uncomfortable being the centre of attention, and taking pre-wedding photos is no exception. If your photo shoot has a theme, try incorporating props into your session. If you’re holding something, it might help you feel a little less stiff. And if all else fails? Grab your sweetie’s hand!
10. Act natural Yes, these photos are going to last a lifetime and you want to look your best. But one of the best ways to take a great photo is to simply act natural! If you’re forcing a fake smile, it’s going to show. Instead, think of a silly moment you’ve shared with your fiancé. Your lips will part naturally and your beautiful smile will shine through. These tips will help you to look your best in your pre-wedding photo shoot, but nothing helps more than having a confident attitude. If you act the part, you’ll look the part—and it will come through in your photos! ■ SB
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Right: Darren and Sophia’s Breathtaking Pre-Wedding Photoshoot in Morrocco by AndroidsinBoots
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Article
10 WAYS TO DECORATE YOUR WEDDING WITH FLOWERS For all the flower-loving brides, here are 10 ways to decorate your wedding with flowers. Text by Audrie Soh
Flowers are hands-down the most popular and favourite way to dress up a wedding and it’s easy to see why. These versatile beauties give an instant perk-me-up to any venue and set-up, fit virtually any wedding theme you can cook up and put a smile on anyone who lays eyes on it. So, for all our brides who are hopelessly in love with flowers and envision a wedding filled with these lovelies, here’s a list of 10 ways you can decorate your big day using flowers.
1. Table Centerpiece Beautiful table centerpieces are a staple at every wedding and if you’ve attended a fair share of weddings, you’ll be no stranger to floral centerpieces. Personalise your floral centerpieces
by customising the size, type and colour of blooms used, style and even its container. You may even ditch the ‘flowers in a vase’ idea and opt for a table runner made of blooms and fauna for something different. If you’re on a tight wedding budget, consider scattering loose flower petals sparsely over the table instead.
2. Floral Chandelier Go big or go home, because nothing spells grandeur and extravagance like a floral chandelier. Beautiful and romantic, floral chandeliers are perfect for gardenthemed weddings and excellent for impressing your guests with a unique wedding centerpiece.
Right: A Bohemian and Rustic Affair by Samuel Goh Photography
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Vivian and Josh’s Parisian Garden Wedding at Grand Hyatt Singapore by Bloc Memoire
3. Floral Arch Flower arches adds a hint of whimsical to your garden wedding and is an excellent way of framing your solemnisation shots as you pledge to spend the rest of your life with the love of your life. It also makes for a great backdrop for photographs with your family and friends. However, flower arches can be quite costly due to the amount of work, materials and blooms needed to put one together. But, there are many ways you can trim down the cost of a flower arch. One way is to opt for cheaper
blooms or ask for your arch to be sparsely decorated with baby’s breath for a romantic look. If you need it lit for the night, consider adding fairylights in. Alternatively, you may rent a flower arch from a stylist or wedding props company.
4. Wedding backdrop Flower themed backdrops are another excellent way to add florals into your wedding, be it on the stage or at your reception for a photobooth. Depending on your budget and preference, you may opt for a flower wall backdrop made
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Customising Wedding Cakes with Winifred Kristé Cake by Glen Taubenfeld
from fresh or artificial blooms and fauna or paper ones. But do bear in mind that if you choose to go with fresh blooms, you may have to portion more of your budget for it.
Blooms are also a beautiful way to spruce up your reception and dessert table. Scatter some loose flower petals or place small vases or fresh or dried flowers on the table to bring out your wedding theme and welcome your An equally charming alternative to a guests to the celebration. flower wall backdrop is the floral curtain backdrop. Like a curtain, stalks of 6. Wedding Cake flowers are hung upside down in a row and left to dangle prettily. This is a great Who says you can’t have flowers on your alternative for brides on a tighter budget cake! Be it real, artificial or handcrafted as you can even DIY it yourself! sugar blooms, flowers add a fresh and modern touch to the classic wedding 5. Dessert and Reception Decor cake.
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Image cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo by Ryan Polei
7. Aisle Decor Make your walk down the aisle even better by hanging or tying small clusters or blooms on the ends of the pews or rows of chairs, or create an outline of the aisle by placing them on the ground. For a cheaper alternative that you can get your bridesmaids to help you with, scatter loose flower petals along the sides of the aisle or directly on the aisle itself.
8. Hair Accessory
A splendid way of adding flowers to your wedding is to wear them on your hair! If you’ve always wanted to sport a floral crown on your head, your wedding is the time to do so without others judging you for wearing it! If floral crowns are still a little loud for your liking, consider incorporating small clusters of smaller blooms like baby’s breath or daisies into your hairdo for a subtler touch.
9. Wedding Attire If wearing it on your head isn’t enough, you can wear them on you too! Pick a
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Coral and Mint Retro Garden Wedding in Alkaff Mansion by Bryan Jean Photography
gown with floral details, such as one with floral prints, floral lace trimmings or 3D floral details. Wear them on your shoes too for more flower power!
10. Bridal Party
complement you and your girls. And there you have it! 10 brilliant and wonderful ways to turn your wedding into a magnificient floral affair you’ve always dreamt of. ■ SB
You may also choose to dress and accessorise your bridal party in flowers too! Give your bridesmaids and flowergirls matching floral crowns to complement yours or hand them smaller bouquets to carry for the wedding. Don’t leave the boys out too! Get boutonnieres for your groom and his boys so they’ll
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Article
10 BEST BRIDAL BEAUTY FOODS FOR GLOWING SKIN AND LUSTROUS HAIR Get your bridal glow on the natural way with some of the best foods to eat for good skin and lustrous hair. Text by Tara Molloy
They say, “You are what you eat,” and when it comes to your wedding beauty routine, it couldn’t be truer! In fact, what you put into your body is just as, if not more, important than what you put on it. This is especially true when it comes to hair and skin health. You can buy all of the fancy lotions and potions in the world, but if you’re eating a poor diet, it’s going to come through in your appearance. The good news is that the best foods for healthy hair and skin are easy to find, simple to prepare, and delicious to eat. Get glowing from the inside out by adding these nutritional powerhouses to your bridal beauty diet.
1. SALMON
essential to improving one’s overall health, with benefits ranging from better brain functioning to decreased depression. But they’re just as important for your appearance! Omega-3s hydrate your hair and scalp from the inside out, keeping your tresses shiny and strong. They do the same for your skin, making it soft and supple. Keep in mind, though, that wild-caught salmon tends to have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than does farm-raised. It also tends to be more expensive, but you can keep the cost down by buying the tinned variety.
2. OYSTERS
Salmon, and other fish like sardines, You may already have known about mackerel, and herring, are high in salmon and its omega-3s, but did omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are you know that oysters also should be
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Image by Jeremy Keith licensed under CC BY 2.0
included in your diet for better hair and skin? They contain high levels of zinc (actually, the highest level of any food!), which stimulates collagen production. This helps to prevent wrinkles, and gives your skin a plumper, more youthful appearance.
If you can’t stomach the thought of eating eggs first thing in the morning, try taking a hard-boiled egg with you for a snack, or adding it to your salad at lunch. Just make sure that you’re eating the whole egg, because the yolks are the best source of biotin.
3. EGGS
4. NUTS
Eggs, specifically the yolks, are very high in biotin. Biotin is a B-vitamin that helps to strengthen hair, skin, and nails. Some studies have even shown that biotin can make hair and nails grow faster, so including biotin-rich foods in your diet is a great shortcut to looking good.
Nuts are also high in biotin, and are excellent to include in your diet if you’re vegan. They’re an easy, portable snack that you can munch on throughout the day—just remember that because they are so nutrient dense, it’s important to exercise portion control.
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Image by Adam Wyles licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Are all nuts created equal? Actually, walnuts are your best choice. Not only are they high in biotin, but they also contain the highest levels of omega-3s.
avocados are also great for keeping your hair lustrous and your skin hydrated. You can achieve these effects both from eating avocados and applying them directly to your skin and hair. If either is feeling a bit dry, mash together half 5. AVOCADOS an avocado and one tablespoon honey. Spread the mixture evenly through your Avocados are packed with nutrients, hair or over your face, let sit for ten including vitamins C and K, folate, and minutes, and rinse. You’ll be amazed at potassium, and boast a number of how hydrated you feel! health benefits. They’ve been shown to lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease, and help the body to absorb 6. SPINACH vitamins in other foods. Spinach is loaded with vitamin C and Thanks to their high concentration iron, both of which are needed to keep of healthy fats (namely oleic acid), your skin healthy. Vitamin C helps with
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Image by Isabel Moguer licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
the production of collagen, while iron promotes circulation. Incorporate spinach into your diet by adding a few handfuls to a salad, or serving it as side dish at dinner with a drizzle of olive oil and squeeze of lemon juice.
7. SWEET POTATOES AND CARROTS What do sweet potatoes and carrots have in common, other than an orange hue? A high concentration of beta-carotene, which is converted in your body to vitamin A. Vitamin A helps to repair skin on a cellular level and increases blood flow, reducing
wrinkles and giving skin a more dewy, youthful appearance. Eating vitamin A is much preferred to topical application, as vitamin A is toxic in high enough doses. Luckily, our bodies are incredibly smart and only convert the precise amount of beta-carotene to vitamin A that we need. So while you can munch away on as many carrots as you’d like without worrying about overdoing it, it is possible that by applying a vitamin A-spiked serum directly to your skin, you could be giving yourself too much of a good thing.
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8. TOMATOES One of the best ways to protect your skin from the inside out is by eating tomatoes, which are rich in lycopene. Lycopene has been shown to increase the skin’s resistance to UV rays and reduce the effects of sun damage. An added bonus? Lycopene also decreases the risk of cancer and heart disease. The effects of lycopene are boosted when paired with a healthy fat. A roasted tomato drizzled with olive oil is one of the most simple and delicious ways to improve skin health.
9. GARLIC Garlic is a powerful antioxidant that happens to be a tasty addition to many savoury dishes. It contains allicin, which is believed to prevent hair loss. It also has been shown to clear skin blemishes, thanks to its antibacterial qualities. Just be careful of how much you eat, because it tends to give people a certain scent at high enough levels!
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10. WATER The simplest, easiest, and least expensive way to keep your skin looking young is by drinking water, and lots of it. Staying hydrated flushes toxins from the body and gives your skin a glowing appearance. Avoid guzzling water while consuming lots of salt, though. Salt helps you to retain water and can cause bloating. The good news is that drinking plenty of water keeps you full, so that you’re less likely to overeat. Keep a water bottle with you when you’re out and about so that you remember to drink. The best way to stay healthy—both on the inside and outside—is to eat a balanced diet of real, wholesome foods. Adding these foods to your bridal beauty diet will have you both looking and feeling great for your wedding! ever have. So if you’re a man, take a risk and burst out of your bubble. Take the roads less travelled, and earn your stories. You might just earn her hand. ■ SB
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Article
10 WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT HEALTHILY New year, new you! If you’re hoping to drop a few kilos in 2016, don’t turn to yo-yo diets and quick fixes. These 10 tips on how to lose weight healthily will kickstart your journey to a fitter and healthier body! Text by Tara Molloy
Why is it that gaining weight is so easy, and losing it is so hard? There are millions of crash diets floating around the Internet, and while they may seem like easy fixes, they will not help you to lose weight healthily. Here are the top ten tips to help you lose weight healthily.
1. SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE Fad diets are never a good idea, especially when you’re trying to lose weight healthily. Cutting out entire food groups and overdoing exercise are unsustainable in the long term, which will make you more likely to quit your diet and make a faster return to unhealthy foods.
pills are often filled with dangerous chemicals that can seriously damage your metabolism. And those weight loss wraps at some of Singapore’s most luxurious spas? They won’t help you lose anything but water weight (though they can reduce the appearance of cellulite and leave your skin looking smoother). To lose weight healthily, slow and steady wins the race.
2. SET REASONABLE WEIGHT LOSS GOALS
Any plan to lose weight healthily should include a set of reasonable goals—how else will you know what you’re working toward? Set one main goal (like losing 10 kilos before your wedding day), and then set out smaller goals to help you The same goes with other “fast fixes,” achieve your main goal (like exercising like pills or even spa services that four times per week, or cooking at home promise rapid weight loss. Weight loss each weeknight).
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Image by Amelia Crook, licensed under CC BY 2.0
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Be sure to make your weight loss goal achievable, too. If you try to lose too much weight in too short of a time, you’ll only feel discouraged when you don’t reach your goal (and it could be potentially harmful to you health, too). If you’re not sure how much weight you should aim to lose, speak with a doctor.
unnecessary calories is to cook at home more often. Restaurant food is typically far richer than what we would make in our kitchens, and the portion sizes can be much larger. Cooking healthy recipes at home is one of the best ways to control your eating and lose weight healthily.
3. REWARD YOURSELF (BUT No time for cooking during the week? NOT WITH FOOD) Set aside some time on Sunday night Rewarding yourself as you meet your goals is an excellent form of motivation, and a tool that you should use as you work to lose weight healthily. Too often, though, we use food to reward ourselves. We think, “I’ve been so good on my diet this week, I deserve an ice cream sundae today.” While there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself on occasion, using food as a reward creates an unhealthy, restrictive mindset. You’ll start to look forward to that ice cream sundae at the week’s end, instead of focusing on how healthy you feel. Try rewarding yourself differently when you meet one of your goals: get a manicure, go to the cinema with a friend, or buy yourself a small present.
to prepare meals for the week, which can be as simple as cooking up a pot of brown rice or slicing raw vegetables for stir-fry and snacking. Remember, if healthy food is available to you, you’ll be much more likely to eat it.
5. WATCH OUT FOR SNEAKY CALORIES When trying to lose weight healthily, it’s pretty obvious which foods you should avoid: cakes, ice cream, and basically anything that comes from a hawker stall. But there are more innocentlooking dishes that you might not think twice about on your journey to lose weight healthily.
Salads, when loaded up with veggies and no fried toppings, are a healthy and easy choice for lunch. Salad dressing, 4. COOK AT HOME however, can quickly turn a nutritious meal into a calorie powerhouse—so One of the simplest ways to eliminate always ask for dressing on the side.
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Image by Janelle, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Other sauces, curries, and condiments can be equally as sneaky, so limit your intake. Cheer up though, you can also eat your way to healthy weight loss.
6. DON’T CALORIES
DRINK
YOUR
Staying hydrated is incredibly important when trying to lose weight healthily, but how you hydrate yourself is even more important. Water, and lots of it, is key to clear skin, balanced body systems, and staying fuller longer. Other drinks, unfortunately, are simply empty calories. Alcohol, soda, and other sugary drinks can seriously
hinder losing weight healthily, especially because these beverages don’t fill you up or keep you satisfied. Keep a water bottle with you at all times, and you’ll be less likely to reach for unhealthy drinks when thirst strikes.
7. DEVELOP AN EXERCISE REGIMEN THAT YOU CAN MAINTAIN Have you tried starting an exercise regimen in the past, but haven’t been able to stick to it? Maybe you’re trying to do too much. In your journey to lose weight healthily, it’s important to find a routine that you can maintain in the long
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term. Start out by exercising just once a week. Make a date with yourself (or better yet, a friend!) and don’t break it under any circumstances. Once that becomes part of your routine, add in another day of exercise, and so on. By creating a habit, your body will learn to crave exercise and it will feel strange if you miss a workout. Try these 20-minute workouts to get started.
8. MAKE WORKING OUT FUN Another surefire way to maintain your exercise regimen is to make sure you enjoy what you do. If you hate running, but force yourself to go jogging several times a week, you’ll start to dread it—which will lead to quitting. To lose weight healthily, you need to find exercise that you find enjoyable, whether it’s running, weight lifting, yoga, or cardio dance. Too shy to try out a new class? YouTube is filled with fun workouts that you can test out in the privacy of your own home. Whatever you decide to pursue, make sure you’re having fun while you do it.
9. ENLIST THE HELP OF A FRIEND To lose weight healthily, it helps if you have a strong support system. Although your family and fiancé are sure to help you along the way, it’s even more helpful if you have a friend who is also trying to lose weight healthily. You can swap healthy recipes, take a new class at the gym together, and provide encouragement when things get tough. But the most important thing to remember is…
10. DON’T QUIT This may seem like the most obvious advice, but it’s the most important. If you want to lose weight healthily and reach your goals, you can’t quit. There will be days when you don’t feel like working out, or when hitting the hawker centre on your way home from work sounds much easier than cooking. When thoughts like these come, just envision yourself looking beautiful in your wedding dress. Remember that you’re working to lose weight healthily, and that it will all be worth it when you reach your goal. ■ SB
Image by Edson Hong, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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Real Weddings
MEITING AND SHUNXIONG’S CHARMING PRE-WEDDING SHOOT IN JAPAN Meiting and Shunxiong celebrate their love in an intimate pre-wedding shoot in Japan. Text by Audrie Soh | Images by Toshiya Mizuma from Decollte Wedding Photo Group
Popular influencer and former Singapore Airlines stewardess, Lian Meiting, 29, first met her fiancé, Koh Shunxiong, 30, Real Estate Agent, at the Suntec Convention Centre where she was working part-time at an IT Fair. One goofy smile and a message on Friendster later, the pair got acquainted and eventually became an item. In preparation for their upcoming big day in November, Meiting and Shunxiong embarked on an overseas pre-wedding photoshoot with Decollte Wedding Photo Group in Japan – one of their favourite countries to travel to! Read more about their experience in beautiful Kyoto and Kobe as you feast your eyes on these lovely images, and find out how Meiting and Shunxiong overcame the challenges they faced during the shoot.
cameras at the annual IT fair held at the Suntec Convention Centre. Prior to that, Shunxiong already knew who I was because he came across my blog and profile on Friendster (omg, ancient). I was giving out leaflets and he took one from me followed by flashing me the biggest, goofiest grin you could ever imagine, so that left an impression on me. That night, he went back home & sent me a message on Friendster and I replied because I remembered him as the queer dude who looked like he had just won the lottery. What was the proposal like?
It was absolutely beautiful and I was completely caught off-guard. We went to Maldives with four of our friends and we were told that one of them was going to propose to his girlfriend on this Tell us about the day you met. When, trip and we were all part of the plan to where and how did you meet? help him pull this proposal off. So, on Meiting: We officially met when I was the actual day of the proposal, the guys a student working part-time selling went off to the beach to set up and
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the girls were supposed to stay in the room and play the proposal clip for the girlfriend in question. So, imagine my surprise when I saw Shunxiong and my face on the screen! I was then told to head to the beach where he was waiting for me. The sun was setting, the horizon was a beautiful painting of pink,orange and blue with soft waves crashing onto the beach. He was standing on the sand inside a heart that was lined by candle-lit lamps and there were LED lights embedded in the sand that said “WILL YOU MARRY ME”. Tell us about your pre-wedding shoot. What was it like? Why did you pick Japan as the location for your shoot? Shunxiong and I have always wanted
to have an overseas wedding shoot because it was too hot in Singapore to have an outdoor shoot without perspiring. We decided on Japan as it was our favorite country to visit (we would go yearly) and we just love the culture, scenery and its every aspect. It was also a good excuse for a holiday trip! We planned for our pre-wedding shoot to be during the first half of our trip so we could relax and I can eat all I want for the rest of our trip! Was there a theme? If so, tell us more about your theme. We had three different looks for the shoot. The first was us in the traditional wedding Kimono & Yukata and the shoot would need to be carried out in a respectful way as we were wearing the most formal Kimono. The second
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look was the western wedding gown & tuxedo and we went for a more moody feel for this set. I wanted the pictures to be non-posey and as natural as possible and I wanted a darker mood to it. The third and final look featured me in my Singapore Airlines’ Kebaya in an indoor shoot. I wanted a memory of my time with the airline and we added this set as a last minute addition. How was the actual day like? Did things run smoothly? How were you feeling? It was raining the entire day during our shoot but that didn’t dampen our mood as the crew at Decollte Wedding Photo Group made it as comfortable for us as possible. We started the day early in Kyoto for hair & makeup
before heading to the Gion area for our Japanese themed shoot. We were lucky that it was only drizzling lightly because I wouldn’t want to imagine how heavy the kimono would be if it was soaked. It was already very heavy on its own and wearing it for two hours was all I could take. For our second set, we drove one and a half hours to Kobe and I was glad that I managed to nap during the drive. The weather was not in our favor because it rained the entire evening and we had to carry out the shoot under pretty heavy rain. It was also rather cold but thankfully I had my leather jacket on. What was it like working with the team at Decollte? Was there a reason for choosing them as your pre-wedding photographer?
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Everything was done very professionally and we were always placed as their top priority. Our photographer, Toshiya Mizuma, captured the best images of us and we shared the same synergy for the shoot. There was no awkwardness or shyness at all, which was a huge relief for me because my fiancé , SX, usually stiffens up whenever he is in front of a camera. I also absolutely love my hair & makeup done for each look. Akiko-san, my makeup artist, is a gem to work with as she nails each style perfectly every time. I am also very grateful to Yoyo, my Taiwanese translator, as she was the one who helped us communicate with the Decollte team.
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Share with us a behind-the-scenes moment that was especially memorable to you. It would definitely be when we were under the heavy rain, sheltered by an umbrella while walking down the streets of Kobe. We were trying to capture “walking shots” and my gown was soaking wet from my ankle up to my knees and it wasn’t easy to walk in it. But we had a good time laughing because we must have looked really ridiculous walking in the middle of the road in a wedding gown and tuxedo under the rain. Oh, but the photographs from this set turned out to be one of my favorites of the lot. ■ SB
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The Location: Kyoto and Kobe, Japan | The Gown & Kimono: Decollte Wedding Photo Group | The Bride’s Shoes: Taylor Says - Til Death | The Suit: Tuxedo from Common Suits / Yukata from Decollte Wedding Photo Group | The Groom’s Shoes: Suit Select The Wedding Bands: Michael Trio | The Hair and Makeup: Akiko-san For more images, visit our website at www.singaporebrides.com.
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Real Weddings
VELVET AND JACKY’S DESTINATION WEDDING IN KYOTO Against the beauty of Kyoto in autumn, Velvet and Jacky wed in a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony to celebrate their love for the land of the rising sun. Text by Tansey Tang | Images by photographers based in Japan, arranged by Eternal Emotion Weddings
Velvet, 24, and Jacky, 29, fell in love with all things Japanese, so they couldn’t think of a better location to celebrate their even greater love for each other. The couple wed on 28 November 2014 against the stunning backdrop of Kyoto in autumn, blessed by the bright red of falling leaves.
When did you realise that this was the person you wanted to marry? Velvet: The moment he drove me home immediately when I was not feeling well, skipping the lunch plan we had made. He stayed at my request and turned on the television softly so that he would not bother my rest.
How did your love story begin? Velvet: He was a friend of a friend at the arcade. Then, he decided to add me on Facebook, and we started chatting. The conversations went really well so we decided to meet up and talk more in person over chicken rice! Jacky: She looked very fierce and unfriendly. I added her on Facebook to try chatting, and surprisingly conversations went really well. We ended up meeting up to talk more.
Jacky: Just got that feeling after being together for more than two years. She’s very patient and we felt very comfortable with each other even after two years. What was the proposal like? Velvet: It was a Monday evening and he arranged to meet me at Raffles City Shopping Centre for dinner. I decided to wear a dress because it was in town. Little did I know that we would be going to the 70th storey at Fairmont Hotel to
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eat. I felt like one of the ancient Greek Gods looking down at mere mortals while I dined. Haha. He had the ring slipped into my champagne, and the moment I realised it, he proposed. Jacky: I arranged for dinner on the 9th of September 2013, the numbers of the date meaning “being together forever” in Mandarin. The atmosphere and food were great. We ended the dinner with a glass of her favourite pink champagne. When she realised there was a ring in it I just popped the question. What inspired you to hold a destination wedding in Japan? The scenery, our love for arcade games and Japanese manga, and the food.
Can you describe your wedding photoshoot and wedding day in Japan? Jacky: The wedding photoshoot was conducted by professional photographers. Photos were taken at a traditional Japanese garden and also key landmarks in Kyoto, together with fun poses suggested by the photographers. My wife was asked whether she wanted to be dolled up in an elegant manner or one that was more “cute”, and she chose the latter. She never looked more lovely to me. Yuki and Sharol from Eternal Emotion Weddings were very on point, and they organised the entire wedding, photoshoot, and the preparations very well, even from when we were in Singapore doing our preparations. All
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was perfect! After the photoshoot, we had our wedding ceremony at Awata-Jinja Shrine, the shrine for the god of traffic. The wedding ceremony conducted was a very traditional one and so it was extra symbolic to us. Our friends agree that it was a very meaningful ceremony and they were awed by it. What was most memorable about your wedding in Japan? Our friends gathering at the Shrine in Japan just to attend our wedding and give us their heartfelt blessings, the wedding kimonos and being dressed
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up, and our photographers wearing suits! Can you tell us the cost of your wedding? About $8000, including the package for the wedding shoot, but excluding our personal expenditure. It was our wedding and honeymoon trip, so we felt that it was an amount that suited our budget, for that special week in Japan. The kimonos were more expensive to rent because they were special kimonos, being used only for wedding purposes. But we got to choose our favourite designs, and had someone to dress us up formally and properly. â– SB
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The Gown: Kimono rented in Japan The Bride’s Shoes: Matching kimono shoes rented in Japan The Suit: Groom’s Kimono rented in Japan The Groom’s Shoes: Matching kimono shoes rented in Japan The Venue: Kyoto | The Wedding Planner: Eternal Emotion Weddings The Hairstylist: Based in Japan, arranged by Eternal Emotion Weddings The Makeup Artist: Based in Japan, arranged by Eternal Emotion Weddings For more images, visit our website at www.singaporebrides.com.
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Real Weddings
VIVIAN AND JOSH’S PARISIAN GARDEN WEDDING AT GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE Vivian and Josh celebrated their love in elegant Parisian style with a navy and white garden wedding at Grand Hyatt Singapore, and a chic banquet in the Grand Ballroom. Text by Tansey Tang | Images by Bloc Memoire Photography
Josh Loh, Medical Technologist, and Vivian Lim, Retail Design and Visual Merchandiser, celebrated their wedding with a stylish Parisian garden theme, to show their love for all things French. Their elegant navy and white outdoor wedding in Grand Hyatt Singapore was beautifully styled with white paper flowers and a hint of classic navy, and their chic ballroom wedding dinner is full of inspiration for a modern and stylish hotel banquet!
Josh: We flew to Perth for a holiday, and I proposed to her while we were mid-way through an early morning hotair balloon ride, while looking at the sunrise. I proposed with a customised diamond engagement ring from Saxifrage Singapore, a custom jeweler who designed a ring based on Vivian’s love for elegant French style and traditional engagement rings.
How did the two of you meet?
Vivian: We had a Parisian theme with a colour palette of white and navy. We shot our pre-wedding photographs in Paris as well. Josh has family friends in France and has visited France on many occasions, falling in love with the people and cuisine. Working in LVMH, I too fell in love with all things French as well as the style of the ladies of Paris. We thought, “What better way to combine our love for French style than with a
Josh: We met while working together at Canon Singapore. Vivian also happens to be the younger sister of my secondary school classmate. I used to visit their house after school to play basketball or soccer, or just to watch soccer, and that was when I got to know her a lot better. Can you tell us about the proposal?
What was your theme?
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Parisian-garden wedding theme?” Being in the city of love truly left a mark deep in our hearts. We wanted to bring our guests to where we were while we were doing our pre-wedding photoshoot. Of the iconic monuments of Paris, the Eiffel Tower was the one that took our breath away by its sheer beauty and history, filled with charm, poise, and elegance. The history of the Eiffel Tower, a wrought iron lattice tower that was designed and built through one man’s vision – Mr Gustave Eiffel’s – still amazes me all the time. The Eiffel tower was and is the perfect match of design and engineering, art and science, much like how Josh and I are. We both specialise in very different
industries, but come together perfectly, and I believe we’ll build many beautiful memories together as well. How did you bring your Parisien Garden theme to life? Vivian: We got professional help from Ektory to dress up the gazebo and rooftop garden at Grand Hyatt Singapore with a massive handmade paper floral backdrop, and a customised aisle runner. We wanted unique floral and fauna to exude a whimsical feel, so the concept Ektory developed for us was an “international wall” with a distinctly elegant Parisien feel. They researched
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plants and flowers originating from different continents of the world, and at least one plant and one flower type was selected from each continent and created by hand to be part of our flower wall design. And how did you bring your garden theme indoors to your ballroom? For the dinner, Grand Hyatt Singapore allowed us to customise our ballroom walls into a Paris scene with their giant digital canvases that covered both ends of our Grand Ballroom. Josh and I had taken our pre-wedding photography in Paris and Prague, and decided to shoot some key Parisian landmarks such as the Louvre and Eiffel Tower which I then designed into two large images to fit
onto the ballroom’s extended digital canvases. On top of that, their in-house floral team was able to customise my florals exactly like this one arrangement I saw online – it had white roses, white eustomas, silver brunia, dusty Miller, white verbena and ergynium supernova. Did you undertake any DIY projects? Vivian: I customised all the wedding stationery and invitation cards used for the wedding. We also had special memorial cards placed on chairs during our solemnisation ceremony, in memory of our loved ones who have passed on – these too were designed by me. I decided to combine all that I love about the French (i.e. macarons, flowers) in a
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watercolour painting with a calligraphy design. What was the significance behind your wedding favours? Josh: For the solemnisation, we settled on the idea of a “message in a bottle” done with clear glass bottles in the shape of the Eiffel Tower, which had a hidden handwritten thank you note for each of our guests. We couldn’t bring our guests to Paris, but thought we could bring a part of Paris to them. During the dinner banquet, we gave macarons, a French dessert to suit our Parisien theme. The pastry team at Grand Hyatt Singapore helped us to match the colour of our wedding favour
macarons to the exact blue used in our wedding theme. Apart from that, we also gave out two FRESH lip balms paired together for each guest, to symbolise our unity as one.personality shine through my two-piece wedding dress and pair of oxfords. What were the most memorable moments from your big day? Josh: Marching into the ballroom for the first time as a married couple and having all of our close friends and family witnessing the union of us two individuals becoming one was incredibly special. All the love and cheers that we were showered with was beyond what we could have envisioned for the day. Everyone was laughing,
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having a good time, and eating great food till their stomachs filled out–that’s how weddings should be. Any advice for other couples planning their weddings? Vivian: Plan ahead of time to make sure you secure the venues, photographers, videographers, and bands that you love and that you can trust. We knew whom we wanted as our wedding photographer and had him booked over a year in advance! “Kiasu” I know, but you do what you need to for the companies and brands you love. What have you learned from married life? Vivian: Listen to one another and learn to give in and accommodate each other. Create new memories together as a couple and always be there for each other. Love is not giving each other gifts on special occasions but cherishing whom your partner is when you are with them. ■ SB The Venue: Grand Hyatt Singapore | The Videographer: Moomedia The Hair and Makeup: Joscelyn Tan from Sasa de Maquillage The Wedding Rings: Cartier | The Engagement Ring: Saxifrage The Florist: Beato | The Wedding Stylist: Ektory The Tiffany Chair Rental: Awesome Productions The Wedding Band: High Notes For more images, visit our website at www.singaporebrides.com.
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Real Weddings
CASSANDRA AND TIMOTHY’S RUSTIC GARDEN AFFAIR AT CONRAD CENTENNIAL SINGAPORE Cassandra and Timonthy sealed their love in a lovely rustic garden themed celebration at Conrad Centennial Singapore earlier this year. Text by Audrie Soh | Pre-Wedding Images by Gabriel Kang from Kang Pictures & Wedding Images by Yiting Khoo from YTSHOOTS
You could say Cassandra, 25, Financial Advisor, and Timothy, 35, Financial Services Manager, were match-made in heaven. The pair of lovebirds met four years ago at work but the stars only aligned and brought them together two years ago. After discovering a soul mate and companion in each other, Cassandra and Timothy decided to tie the knot in a beautiful rustic garden themed solemnisation at True Way Presbyterian Church and wedding dinner at Conrad Centennial Singapore on 30 and 31 January 2016. Tell us about your story. We met at work in 2012 but our lives didn’t crossed paths until two years later. It was amazing how timely God has placed us together in His miraculous
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ways for we never expect ourselves to be more than just work buddies. It seemed so perfectly set together – we belonged to the same church, we do the same work and we complemented each other very well in terms of our personalities and the things we love to do! We’ve always felt that this verse from the bible, Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He hath made all things beautiful in His time”, described us. For us, it was really just at the right place, the right time and with the right person! It was an amazing journey and we really appreciate every moment together and how friends around us would tease us about not being sick of each other despite being together every day.
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Tell us about your wedding planning. How was it like? Did you meet with any challenges along the way? We took nine months to plan for the wedding and while it was pretty intense, the experience was a fruitful one. I was very glad that I wasn’t doing this alone and we went through every decision together. First, it was a blessing that we found a great church venue at True Way Presbyterian and Conrad Centennial Singapore for our dinner banquet on the dates we wanted! The venues were perfect and we had much help from the persons-in-charge to assist us throughout the way. We were also very blessed to have met many who’ve helped make our wedding day perfect.
Tim’s good friend, Yi Wei from Simpatico Wedding Planners, was our wedding coordinator and offered much valuable ideas for our big day. Although we had stressful moments during our planning, especially when we neared the big day, we had a lot of help from all our wedding vendors. So, thumbs up to them! We also had the privilege to do our pre-wedding photoshoot in Paris and Switzerland when we extended our stay after our work trip. We engaged Gabriel from Kang Pictures who took us to many different locations for our photoshoot and produced beautiful photographs of us at those picturesque spots.
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Click the above image to view their wedding video
Share with us the concept behind your wedding décor. We decided on a rustic and garden theme for our décor! Yi Wei was a great help to us as he provided plenty of good ideas. We decorated our wedding with theme appropriate items such as leaves, flowers, crates and wooden frames. My sister helped design my church wedding program sheet, which I love, and we had them printed out on brown woody paper for that rustic vibe. Overall, we were really pleased as it all turned out really nice!
What was your wedding day like? It was the best day of our lives! We were really happy that everything went smoothly. Our coordinator made sure that we had nothing to worry about that day! We did wish we had more time to mingle with each and every guest who came to our wedding though! ■ SB
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The Gown: Divine Couture | The Suit: Grazziaa from Dave’s Tailoring | The Venue: True Way Presbyterian Church & Conrad Centennial Singapore | The Hair and Makeup: Christine Tan from Divine Couture | The Wedding Coordinator: Koh Yi Wei from Simpatico Wedding Partners | The Videographer: Taylor from One Button Film | The Photo Booth: Happy Kids Lemonade | Wedding Planning: SingaporeBrides For more images, visit our website at www.singaporebrides.com.
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Real Weddings
LINH AND YONG XI’S LAVENDER-FILLED HORT PARK WEDDING Linh and Yong Xi wed amidst the luxurious scent of lavender from Provence, in the beautiful garden setting of Vineyard at Hort Park! Text by Tansey Tang | Images by Smittenpixels Photography
Linh Nguyen, 29, Marketing, and Lim Yong Xi, 29, Civil Servant, hosted an elegant Hort Park wedding on 14 March 2015, and filled it with beautiful lavender flown all the way from Provence. The fairylit Vineyard at Hort Park was the perfect, cosy setting for their warm and intimate celebrations. What was your proposal like? How did the two of you meet? Linh: Yong Xi got my contact from his friend and contacted me in May 2013. However, I didn’t reply until August. Everything moved really quickly after that. What was it that made you realise you wanted to spend the rest of your lives together? Yong Xi: Even though we only knew
each other for a very short time, we can really feel the connection between us. We finish each other’s sentences or sometimes even have the exact same thoughts. Linh: We don’t have to hide or be fake when we are together. He lets me be the perfectionist who loves doing everything in a specific order and with a checklist. He is patient and comforts me whenever I’m upset about something. What was the proposal like? Linh: When we had our holiday at Gili Trawagan, he prepared a scrap book with 99 reasons why he loves me although he was really busy at that time. He proposed when we were waiting for the sunset by the beach. There wasn’t anyone around and the whole thing
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was very private and intimate, like how I wanted. What was your wedding like? Linh: We had a lavender theme for our wedding at Hort Park. We wanted to have a very cosy wedding where everyone can enjoy their food and the company. Furthermore, Yong Xi is a picky eater so we decided to have our wedding in a small French restaurant. Since we both love the scent of lavender, we went for a lavender theme with lots of fairy lights and lavender, with earth tones as a colour palette. In fact, I purchased 100 bouquets of dried lavender from Provence as well as lavender sachets from South Africa
as wedding favours. My friends also helped us to create the whole wedding invitation suite with the specific theme, pantone colour, and fonts (as said before, I am a perfectionist who wants things to be done in a specific way), as well as a hand-drawn fingerprint guest book. I also handmade the pi string art and the seating chart for the wedding reception. Shu Ying from MerryLove Weddings also played a huge part in transforming what I had visioned with her magic touch. What was your wedding day like? Yong Xi: It was filled with love and was very relaxed as we had a lot of assistance from family and friends. It
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was truly what we had wished for, a cosy wedding, surrounded by good company and good food. Can you tell us the cost of your beautiful Hort Park wedding? Linh: It was $35,000 excluding the honeymoon. We went to Provence this year for our honeymoon during the lavender festival to complete our “Lavender wedding”. What was the most memorable moment of your wedding? Linh: Definitely the military march in during our solemnisation ceremony. The pouring silver rain made things even cosier than we expected, even though the whole stage was drenched. As I marched down the aisle with Yong Xi, between two rows of sword bearers, I felt like a little girl who finally got to marry her prince in shining amour. I was trembling and Yong Xi had to grab hold of my hand as I walked down the aisle with him. Whenever I hear “A Thousand Years” playing on the radio, I relive that very moment again and again.” ■ SB
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The Gown, The Bridesmaids’ Dresses, The Hairstylist & The Makeup Artist: Di Gio The Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka | The Wedding Bands: Fairy’s Inc The Venue: Vineyard at Hort Park | The Wedding Cake: Crummb The Florists: Lavender imported from Provence; bridal bouquet from SO Blossom The Event Stylist: MerryLove Weddings | The Invitations and Paper Goods: Mitjuju; and custom wedding guestbook | The Wedding Favours: Lavender sachet from Canettevallei For more images, visit our website at www.singaporebrides.com.
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Real Weddings
CONSTANCE AND JASON’S KALEIDOSCOPE FLOWER FIELD HALL WEDDING AT GARDENS BY THE BAY The overhanging lights in the Flower Field Hall at Gardens by the Bay provided the perfect rainbow glow at Constance and Jason’s wedding celebrations. Text by Tansey Tang | Images by Samuel from Samuel Goh Photography
t’s hard to say when Constance, 25, and Jason, 30, first fell in love. They first met 14 years ago at church and grew closer over the last decade. With close to two decades of friendship as a strong foundation for their relationship, they tied the knot on 14 November 2015 with a boisterous dinner celebration at the Flower Field Hall at Gardens by the Bay, planned and styled by Med Kärlek, wonderfully photographed by Samuel Goh Photography. How did Jason propose? Constance: He had it all planned out. After a casual dinner with my girlfriends, I was lured up to the top level of Marina Bay Sands, where four strangers presented me with a stalk of rose each, leading me towards Jason, who held the fifth stalk of rose in his hands, representing our fifth year of friendship
and relationship. He sang me a selfcomposed song before going down on one knee. What was your wedding planning process like? Constance: Our wedding planning process was made a lost easier with the help of family and friends. We couldn’t have done it without their love, support and encouragement. During the process, we discovered things about each other that we never knew about each other and embraced the tensions that came with the planning. We also made a conscious effort to enjoy each other’s company as we visited vendors and went about the necessary preparation work. It was also during this time that I found my voice and learnt to go with
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my heart. With so many suggestions thrown at brides, it’s easy for a bride’s expectations to skyrocket at what her ideal wedding should be like, based on the other weddings in the media. Because I wasn’t too girly a bride, I struggled to settle on designs at the initial stages and allowed myself to go with what seemed glamorous, princesslike, appropriate and safe. But, they were not me. Eventually, I found the courage to be different and let my personality shine through my two-piece wedding dress and pair of oxfords. Aside from the obvious planning, we also spent a great deal of time preparing emotionally and spiritually for our wedding as well. We wanted to invest into the marriage as a whole rather
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than focus solely on the wedding day. It was in those moments of consideration where we dug deep to answer hard questions and vulnerabilities that we saw more of each other and gave us the courage to say yes on our wedding day. After all, our marriage is more than just our wedding day. What was your wedding theme? We decided on a rustic theme – earth tones for the day and an addition of burgundy and gold hues for the night. We’re naturally more down-to-earth and spontaneous, so we thought the earth tones were a good match to our personalities. We also liked the blend of vintage so we included nuances of it in our theme, using quite a bit of
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items belonging to my late mother. That blend brought a special meaning for us, a special remembrance. What was it like having Med Kärlek as your planners? I got to know Med Kärlek through a friend who engaged them about a year back. They were a great help and went out of their way to help us express what we wanted to see on the wedding day. We trusted them fully and it felt like a whole load was taken off us. We didn’t have to worry about the décor one bit! Phillane and Vernecia from Med Kärlek even helped me with a last minute gown crisis, going out of the way to help me settle it with Tiara Bridal who saved the day for me! They definitely went the extra mile to make sure I was a happy bride who found her own voice through the expressions of the little and not so little things. It was truly a very pleasant experience. Your actual day looks like a blast! How were you feeling on that day? Our actual day was enjoyable because we had amazing friends and family who helped us with all that we needed. That was an amazing blessing. Of course, there were some hiccups but we figured that people were there for us and to celebrate our union. So, we let our hair down and made sure we enjoyed ourselves. ■ SB
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The Wedding Gown: Tiara Bridal and Silhouette the Atelier The Wedding Shoes: Ed Et Al Shoemakers The Groom’s Suit & The Hair and Makeup: Silhouette the Atelier The Groom’s Shoes: Rad Russel | The Wedding Bands: Les Precieux The Florist: Flowerstory | The Graphic Designer: Adelia Lim The Wedding Stylist: Med Kärlek The Wedding Planner: Hannah Tan from The Tapestry Collective The Videographer: XD Studios and Good People Productions For more images, visit our website at www.singaporebrides.com.
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Real Weddings
GERMAINE AND MITCHELL’S GLAMOROUS WEDDING AT SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, SINGAPORE Germaine and Mitchell celebrated their love in a beautiful church ceremony at Calvary Baptist Church, followed by a glamorous reception at Shangri-la Hotel. Text by Tansey Tang | Images by Antelope Studios
Germaine, 25, Education Executive and Mitchell, 26, Business Consultant, celebrated their commitment and shared convictions on 27 June 2015, in a beautiful church wedding ceremony glowing with soft pastels, botannical florals, handmade details, and the love and joy of their family and friends. How did the two of you meet? Even though we pretty much grew up as little children in the same church, it wasn’t till secondary school days that we got to know each other through a common group of friends. What sealed the “deal” for both of us was that we shared a strong conviction about faith, life, and love. What was the proposal like? Germaine: Very genuine – It was just
both of us and Mitchell prepared flowers, candles, photographs of our journey and a heartfelt letter. What was the theme of your wedding, and how did you create it? Rustic romance. We had the help of our décor planner, the lovely Jessica from Wedrock weddings who helped put things together so efficiently. There were a mixture of items – both handmade and purchased. What was your wedding day like? Our wedding day was truly meaningful because we were able to express our love for each other as well as our convictions about life and love in the midst of those closest to us – some of our guests specially flew in from around the world just to spend the day
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with us! It was also special because of the love and dedication put in from many of our friends who sacrificed many late nights to help us with the planning and decoration. Everything just came together beautifully, beyond what we could ever imagine and we are simply thankful for that. Can you tell us the cost of your wedding? It was between S$20K – S$30K for the church wedding. Can you share wuith us the most memorable moment of your wedding? Mitchell: Definitely when Germaine was walking down the aisle and when we declared our covenantal love for each other through our vows. ■SB
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The Gown & The Suit: Silverlining Bridal Couture | The Bride’s Shoes: Anna Nucci The Groom’s Shoes: Groom’s own | The Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Soo Kee Jewellery The Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Top from Bangkok; bottom from ASOS The Groomsmen’s Suits: Pants from Uniqlo; suspenders and bow ties from Alibaba; shirts were groomsmen’s own The Venue: Calvary Baptist Church; Shangri La Hotel for banquet The Hairstylists and Makeup Artists: For the bride: Jerlyn Tang from Silverlining Bridal Couture; For the bridesmaids: Karen from Vogue Hair workshop
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Real Weddings
SHERLYN AND DEYAO’S BALI PRE-WEDDING SHOOT WITH Z WEDDING D’SIGN Sherlyn and Deyao embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with Z Wedding D’sign and Chris Ling International Photographers for a scenic and magical pre-wedding shoot in beautiful Bali. Text by Audrie Soh Images by Chris Ling International Photographers (Bali Pre-wedding) & Samuel from Pixioo Photography (Surprise Proposal)
As Deyao likes to put it, Sherlyn and him were match-made by a common friend some three years ago. As his pretty eyes and long, enviable eyelashes captivated her, his tenderness and consideration won her heart. Read about the sweet surprise proposal Deyao had in store for Sherlyn, and have a peek at their gorgeous Bali pre-wedding session.
from the day he approached Samuel with the idea.
Before he got down on one knee and popped the question, he had a present for me. It was a hardcover book he’d put together for me, and every flip of its pages told our story. I could hardly contain the tears of joy that flowed freely down my cheeks as we journeyed What was your proposal like? down memory lane together, but as we neared the end and when I saw the Deyao surprised me with a proposal at words ‘Will you marry me?’ on the last the end of a styled shoot with Samuel page, I couldn’t stop sobbing. from Pixioo Photography, JessicaCindy and Valerie from TangYong Makeup and What was your Bali pre-wedding Hair. As I later learnt, he, Samuel and shoot like? Share with us some fun/ my sister, Shelley had been in cahoots memorable highlights from your trip!
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The whole experience was a novel one for both of us and to pick just one highlight would be difficult! We simply can’t decide if riding with the camels or on a horse out at sea, paddling in a sampan, climbing up a lone rock against the sunset or sitting in the sea waters in an embrace was a more memorable experience for us. But the evening we spent at Tanah Lot, waiting for the perfect timing during sunset and the right amount of wave and water to crash into us, was the one that’s etched in my mind. Looking back, we probably went through more than ten takes for that scene!
How was it like working with the team at Z Wedding D’sign? It was amazing! I’m quite a perfectionist myself and I saw a reflection of myself in the Z Wedding team – individuals who were willing to go the extra mile to achieve perfection. We’ve truly never worked with a more professional team of individuals before. During our Bali pre-wedding shoot, even though we were constantly in the hot sun and not looking the most glamorous while soaked in perspiration, we knew we could trust the team to capture the best pictures and angles. We didn’t have to
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worry or fuss over our hair or outfit. Someone would come by to fix it even before you’d realise anything is out of place. It was truly an eye-opening and fun journey thus far. What about your wedding preparations? Have you embarked on your wedding planning journey yet? For now, there’s not much to do except to keep entertaining my ever-changing ideas. The “work” will come much later, nearing the wedding date, and I suppose my largest obstacle would be accommodating the needs and expectations of my family members. I insist on enjoying the wedding process though. After all, it is a once in a lifetime experience. To do that, I’ve engaged Inside the Knot as my wedding planner ■ SB
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The Gown: Z Wedding D’sign & Le Grand Wedding (Bali Pre-wedding) & Jessicacindy (Surprise Proposal) | The Suit: Z Wedding D’sign (Bali Pe-wedding) Hair and Makeup: Vincent from Z Wedding D’sign (Bali Pre-wedding) / Valerie from TangYong Makeup and Hair (Surprise Proposal) | The Photographer: Chris Ling International Photographers (Bali Pre-wedding) & Samuel from Pixioo Photography (Surprise Proposal) For more images, visit our website at www.singaporebrides.com.
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Real Weddings
JESSICA AND CHAND’S VIBRANT INDIAN WEDDING CELEBRATION Jessica and Chand celebrated their interracial union in a beautiful and colourful traditional Indian wedding. Text by Audrie Soh | Images by Jonathan from Bittersweet Photography
Jessica, 30, exhibition designer and Chand, 31, interior designer connected with each other after a chance introduction by a mutual friend. Three years later, they decided to tie the knot on 9 May 2015 with not one, but two exquisite wedding celebrations that embraced and celebrated both their cultures and traditions. Feast your eyes on the burst of vibrant colours and meaningful intricacies during their traditional Indian wedding celebration, captured wonderfully by Jonathan from Bittersweet Photography. What was your proposal like? Chand: I proposed while we were on vacation in Krabi, Thailand. While Jessica was at the reception sorting out sightseeing arrangements, I was waiting for her in the room, down on one knee. When she entered and saw
me down on one knee, she was so shocked and puzzled that she actually shut the door and opened it again just to see if she was dreaming! That was a funny moment. Share your wedding planning journey with us. Chand: It took us approximately eight months to plan two weddings in Singapore and Indonesia, where Jessica’s hometown was. We had a traditional Indian wedding at Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple along Serangoon Road, followed by an intimate dinner reception within the temple’s compound. A week later, we had our Chinese tea ceremony and a large dinner reception with Jessica’s family in Balikpapan. Prior to our celebrations, we had an intimate henna ceremony, where Jessica was adorned
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in henna while our families came together and celebrated our interracial union.
of gold, peach and mint green for a Spring-time look that brought everyone together.
Although we had a tight timeline, we had plenty of help from both our families in coordinating both celebrations. They were extremely understanding and helped with the running of errands and meeting vendors on our behalf when we couldn’t be there.
What was your actual day like?
Was there a wedding theme? For our traditional Indian wedding ceremony, we used plenty of vibrant colors, particularly red and gold as they symbolise happiness, good fortune and prosperity. Meanwhile, our dinner reception in Balikpapan sported hues
Both of our celebrations went smoothly. Jessica is very organised so she ensured that there was a schedule and appointed key roles to family members for the reception in Indonesia, while I made sure there was a schedule and checklist for our celebration in Singapore. We also included some buffer time in the schedule to make room for delays such as traffic or rain. As for us, we felt really nervous at the thought of something wrong during the day and extremely excited to embark
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on a new chapter together. But wedding jitters aside, we felt wonderful.
God’s blessings for an everlasting marriage.
Walk us through an Indian wedding and some of the rituals practiced during one.
There isn’t an Indian wedding where the exchanging of Jaimala doesn’t take place. Jaimala refers to a garland made out of flowers and thread. The flowers symbolise happiness, excitement, aspiration, beauty while the thread that brings this flowers together is likened to a medium that secures all these emotions. Jessica and I found this ritual extremely significant too, as it represents the unification of two souls. Lastly, there is the applying of the red tikka and beaded necklace. Equivalent to the Western tradition of exchanging rings, the application of the red powder and the beaded necklace symbolises that she is a married woman, and we
An Indian wedding ceremony usually lasts about an hour and involves more than a handful of steps. For Jessica and I, we found the agni Mangal Phera ritual, where we walked seven rounds around a small enclosed fire, extremely significant. The seven rounds represented the promises we made to each other in our union: to be faithful, affectionate, respectful to one another and our families, supportive, fulfilling our responsibilities, standing by each other in difficult times and seeking
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are now man and wife. What did your family and friends have to say about your wedding? Many of our guests were non-Indian and first-timers attending a traditional Indian wedding, so they were pretty excited to experience one. It was nice to see our non-Indian family and friends dress up in a Saree or Salwar and make an effort to be part of the feast of colours and festivities. Share with us a memorable moment from your weddings. I think the most special moment of the day had to be meeting Jessica at the
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hotel, where she was getting ready. I was really excited to see my wife-tobe. We followed the Chinese practice of having my back facing Jessica when I went to pick her up. Eventually, when I was allowed to turn to face her, I could not stop smiling when I saw her decked out like an Indian queen. The moment we stepped out of our wedding car in the touristy Little India was also rather memorable. We felt like Bollywood actors when tourists and passers-by stopped to take photographs of us! But the best part of the day was seeing all the smiling faces of our families and friends as we celebrated our union. â– SB
The Venue: Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Serangoon Road The Wedding Gown & Suit: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The Hair and Makeup: Jessica’s mother The Wedding Stylist/Decorator: KM Wedding Services and Deco The Wedding Caterer: Riverwalk Tandoor Catering For more images, visit our website at www.singaporebrides.com.
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Weddings Come Alive @ Temasek Club!
Celebrate your nuptial wedding with style and sophistication in an enchanted setting as we take pride in providing you all the professional wedding plans with an array of fine delicacies selections, crafted to complete your dream wedding. Featuring The Temasek Grand Ballroom, it can accommodate up to 60 tables with pillar-less view. The expansive ballroom can be further partitioned into two smaller ballrooms catering up to 30 banquet tables each.
For more information, please email to sales@temasekclub.org.sg or call 6801 4262 | 6801 4263 | 6801 4264 www.temasekclub.org.sg TEMASEK CLUB | 131 Rifle Range Road #03-03 Singapore 588406 | Tel: 6801 4242
Real Weddings
SOPHIA AND DARREN’S BREATHTAKING PREWEDDING PHOTOSHOOT IN MOROCCO Sophia and Darren’s pre-wedding photoshoot in Morocco is awash with the blue hues of the charming village of Chefchaouen. Text by Tansey Tang | Images by Felicia Quah from AndroidsinBoots
Sophia, 24, Banker, and Darren, 28, Banker, met through a shared love of exploration and adventure at a diving club. Their gorgeous pre-wedding photography session captures their love for travelling in a picturesque blue town in Morrocco.
sort of a blessing in disguise, as one of the groomsmen and I got pretty drunk that day. It was only a week later that i found out her name and that she was running for office, so there were more chances for us to interact. Well, many gatherings and dive trips later, the rest is history.
How did the two of you meet? How did you know Darren was the one? Sophia: Back in university, the first time we met was supposedly at a Halloween party held by the Scuba Diving club which we were both part of. I say supposedly because I didn’t even notice him, and I have no memory of the first time we met! Darren: So i remember seeing this girl with a really sweet smile during the party but before i got a chance to actually talk to her and find out her name, she left early. I guess it was also
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Sophia: I don’t think I could actually pinpoint the exact moment of realisation. It’s through a journey of knowing one another, right? We’ve been together for more than four years now, and I’m still discovering new things about him. But I guess all I can say is that even though this decision to marry him is probably the single most important and life-changing one I’ve had to make to date, yet, it was actually the easiest.
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Was your decision as easy, Darren? Darren: I always knew she was special, and once we got together, I guess I just sort of knew that I wanted to marry her rather early on. What was the proposal like? Sophia: Well, we sort of did it the Singaporean way—we bought a place together before getting engaged, so you could say I was expecting a proposal! But I’ll give it to him, he managed to pull it off and catch me in a moment of surprise when he popped the question. It must have been very well planned! Darren: It was actually plan C, and
thankfully I was able to surprise her. I initially wanted to propose while we went on a dive trip, but she managed to guess my plan. So I planned an entire day of activities and a staycation at Sentosa, and popped the question while we were going down the megazip. I was actually quite scared of dropping the ring so I tied it down with dental floss! Where was your engagement session held? Sophia: Believe or not, this overseas prewedding shoot in Morocco happened pretty much by chance. Doing a prewedding shoot wasn’t really a priority to us. We both love traveling a lot, and we make it a point every year to visit
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at least one country that we’ve never been to. I was fascinated when I came across this article that had pictures of this little blue town called Chefchaouen where literally everything was blue, and that’s how Morocco became our next destination. We were in the midst of planning our wedding and decided to take some pre-wedding photos there. The both of us did not want anything too formal and over-the-top, like those photos offered in many wedding packages, so I sought the help of my childhood friend Felicia, who’s currently a photographer with AndroidsinBoots. Best decision ever! It was really comfortable shooting with her and she has an amazing eye for
detail. It was a super long journey (total of 25 hours?!) to reach Chefchaouen, and we could not imagine getting any other photographer along for the ride. We wanted to keep the shoot very casual, nothing too fancy, and to capture some elements of our love for travelling. I still wanted to look very much like my everyday self for the photoshoot, so everything was kept pretty simple. Felicia actually helped me with my make-up and hair! What was the experience like? Darren: It really just felt like a holiday! In between the shoots, we had great meals and did a fair bit of sightseeing and souvenir hunting, so it was really
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fun. Sophia: The two of us have never really been in front of the camera that much before, so we were initially uneasy, especially with all the locals looking at us, but they were really welcoming and some even sang traditional Moroccan wedding songs while we were shooting. Plus, it definitely helped that it was Felicia shooting us, which made it a lot easier to be ourselves in front of the camera. When will the wedding be? Darren: It’ll be in June 2016, We’ll be having a church wedding and will then proceed to have lunch at Chijmes. ■ SB
The Dresses: Various Blogshops The Bride’s Shoes: Marks & Spencer The Suit: Tailored in Vietnam The Groom’s Shoes: Archules.com The Engagement Ring: Custom made at Galanos Jewel Boutiques The Venue: Chefchaouen, Morocco The Hairstylist and Makeup Artist: Felicia Quah from AndroidsinBoots For more images, visit our website at www.singaporebrides.com.
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YOUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER STARTS HERE.
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Realise your dream wedding here at Seletar Country Club Whether it is an intimate garden solemnisation or an exquisite ballroom wedding, our wedding specialists are ever ready to help you create the wedding of your dreams. From the decor and floral arrangements to entertainment and more - we take care of every aspect leaving you free to enjoy your big day to the fullest.
Make yours the wedding to remember! Packages start from $60++ per person. Please call
6486 0872 / 9
or email: banquets@seletarclub.com.sg
At Seletar Country Club, we take care of every little detail but most of all, we take care of you.
101 Seletar Club Road Singapore 798273 Tel: 6481 4812 • Fax: 6481 3000 • www.seletarclub.com.sg
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Real Weddings
TRASY AND JOSEPH’S ROMANTIC BALI WEDDING IN TIRTHA ULUWATU Trasy and Joseph pledged their love in the Tirtha Uluwatu chapel in Bali during their elegant and romantic destination wedding. Text by Tansey Tang | Images by Axioo Photography, courtesy of Tirtha Bridal.
Trasy Lou and Joseph Walsh celebrated their wedding on 28 March 2015 in the most romantic way, in the stunning Tirtha Uluwatu wedding venue awash with sunset colours and glowing lanterns, and accented with a pretty floral palette of pastel hues. Tell us about your wedding planning. Joseph: We researched different wedding venues online, and in October 2013, we took a trip from Hong Kong to Bali to physically experience the service at the venue and check out the scenery. And surprisingly, Tirtha Uluwatu looks even better in person. We instantly knew this was where we wanted to get married. Then everything was planned within four months after Tirtha Uluwatu was selected.
Trasy: I then bought little things including our guestbook, lovely hangers personalised with “Mrs Walsh” and my bridesmaids’ names, and a lovebird cake topper online. Everything just came out amazing when I did the little things while my husband made the big decisions. Tirtha Uluwatu was a beautiful wedding venue choice. What made you choose it? Trasy: I had always want to hold my wedding in a chapel. Tirtha Uluwatu is perfect, with a chapel on the cliff that offers stunning views of the scenery. It’s also private, where only our guests are in the venue on our wedding day, whereas if we chose another chapel in a resort, other guests would be walking around.
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Did you have a theme in mind? Trasy: Pink lovebirds – I love the bird cages that Tirtha Uluwatu has and I expanded the theme by buying lovebird wedding items online. What was your favourite memory of the wedding? Trasy: One was when I told my husband that I forgot my bra right after my dad handed me over to him in the chapel. He then kept laughing! Before the wedding, my husband and I made a bet on who would cry first during the wedding. He thought that I would definitely cry like a baby. Therefore the best moment I had was when he teared up while I was walking down the aisle in the beautiful chapel and when he choked up when he was saying his vows. Obviously, I won. ■SB
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The Gown: Vera Wang | The Engagement Ring & The Wedding Bands: Tiffany & Co. The Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal and White by Vera Wang The Venue: Tirtha Uluwatu | The Hairstylist and Makeup Artist: Lona The Caterer & The Wedding Cake: Tirtha Bridal For more images, visit our website at www.singaporebrides.com.
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Barworks Wine & Spirits
Wedding Wine & Spirits | Corporate | Events 18 Sin Ming Lane, #05-09/10/11, Midview City Singapore 573960 Web: www.barworks.com.sg Tel: (65) 6534 1995 Email: sales@barworks.com.sg Like us on Facebook to find out more about our free monthly wedding wine tasting
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