Wild Hearts

from The Wedding Notebook April 2019

by The Wedding Notebook

Monochrome Art

Desiree & Daniel

Photography by Bloc Memoire Photography

If you do not express your own original ideas, if you do not listen to your own being, you will have betrayed yourself.

– ROLLO MAY

THEME AND DETAILS – Vibrant + Nostalgia

By celebrating their wedding over two days, these newlyweds managed to have a more intimate and meaningful experience with their loved ones. The first day was focused on tradition and nostalgia, so the colours were classic even though the reception was still bright and colourful as a throwback to big, hearty Chinese feasts.

On the second day, they had a more contemporary celebration in a garden, featuring vibrant colours and a variety of details and textures. Again, the overarching theme was celebrating the couple and their union. Every detail, including even the florist who had become their close friends over the wedding planning process, had a strong connection to them!

Your wedding is the gateway to the next chapter of your lives together – step through it bravely and authentically as a team.

– DESIREE

VENUE – Church of Saints Peter Janda & Paul, Singapore

Being Located in within a tropical Singapore’s country meant Art District, it was the a little more Church difficult of Saints to find Peter an & outdoor Paul is a wedding Roman venue with Catholic pleasant church (or that slightly opened cooler) its doors weather. in 1870. This couple The church’s wanted history get is married closely linked Malaysia with the as it early is home days for and the growth both of them, Chinese and they Catholic were lucky community to find in the Singapore. perfect spot Despite in Tanarimba. its current The size, beautiful it was comparatively surroundings smaller and wooden when it first structures opened, and allowed only recently them to underwent decorate to a their major hearts’ restoration. desire, The while building’s also fulfilling Gothic Revival their wish style of of having architecture an outdoor lent a magnificent celebration. yet understated feel to the proceedings, with its minimalist nave, altar and stained glass louvres.

CHURCH CEREMONY

The church’s high ceilings and classic interiors meant that little needed to be done in terms of décor, and the couple added only simple decorations to complete the look. The groom looked dapper in his deep blue suit, while the bridal party was absolutely resplendent in white and cream. A year in the making, the wedding went without a hitch and was certainly a sweet way to honour tradition and celebrate this couple’s union.

LUNCH RECEPTION

In line with the traditional setting of their church ceremony, Desiree and Daniel continued to honour their Chinese heritage and families with their lunch reception. “The nostalgic theme unfolded naturally as we allowed our decisions on food, décor and favours to be guided by our memories of growing up,” said Desiree. “We chose Empress because we were both raised in huge Chinese families that always gathered around delicious home-cooked feasts, and we wanted a venue that had really good Chinese cuisine.

“We also loved the classy yet relaxed setting by the river with lots of natural light, not to mention the incredible hospitality we experienced from the Empress team. We loved it so much that it’s now become our go-to venue for family celebrations!”

VENUE – Open Farm Janda Community, Singapore

Being Sitting in on a 35,000 tropical country sq. ft. of meant lush greenery it was a little within more the concrete difficult jungle to find of an Singapore, outdoor wedding Open Farm venue with Community pleasant is (or an slightly urban farm, cooler) edible weather. garden, This couple and open-concept wanted to get kitchen married and in restaurant Malaysia as all it rolled is home into for one. the Using both locally of them, sourced and they and were freshly lucky harvested to find ingredients, the perfect showcasing spot Tanarimba. local farmers’ The produce, beautiful Open surroundings Farm Community and wooden intends to structures kick-start the allowed urban them farming to decorate movement, to their and hearts’ strengthen desire, people’s while respect also fulfilling and knowledge their wish of having the food an that outdoor they celebration. eat.

CEREMONY

Bright bursts of orange, red, peach and mustard, paired with the lush green of the gardens, kept things super vibrant and exciting for the newlyweds’ second day of wedding celebrations. This was where they decided to truly let their hair down and celebrate with their closest friends.

“We were looking for a laidback, romantic venue with a natural vibe,” said Desiree. From the special vow ceremony led by the bride’s childhood friend (who had to stand on a stool because she was so short!) to the beautiful weaving by cord x clay that was incorporated into their floral arch, everything was exactly as the couple had hoped. It was so special as their flower vendor, Fleurapy, had also become their friends, and knew exactly what the couple needed to celebrate their special day.

DINNER RECEPTION

The open-concept kitchen and restaurant fit the theme perfectly, with its warmly lit interiors and twinkling lights outdoors. The surroundings certainly provided a natural backdrop for the night – you wouldn’t have guessed that you were in the concrete jungle of Singapore.

Closing out the couple’s wedding weekend bonanza was this special dinner with their closest friends, which they kept super intimate. And after the guests had toasted the happy couple, everyone put on their dancing shoes and partied the night away!