We love the pink and white theme that was so apparent through out the wedding. Everything looked visually perfect. These cute cuff links were a nice touch too!

Joe has known his friend Michael Marder (best man) since he was 4 years old, and Michael knew Oanh through his then girlfriend. It was Michael who had the great idea that Joe would be a great match for Oanh and decided to set the two of them up. Soon, a ‘date’ was set, and they got along great. When Joe first met Oanh, he was awestruck by her lovely eyes and nice, long black hair! Oanh was smitten by Joe’s mature, yet laid back nature. She laughed at his jokes, and conversation flowed easily between the both of them. A month or two later, a trip was organized for just the 4 of them to go on a driving trip around the UK for the long Easter weekend and the rest is history!

Sun block is definitely a must for every beach wedding in Malaysia!

Everyone received personalized wedding favours with their portraits stuck onto a coaster. Brilliant idea!

Congratulations Joe & Oanh! There’s more of their wedding to be featured on this blog… from the day-after portraits to the wedding video highlight which will be posted later. In the meantime, guests can view their photo slideshow here.

Credits:

Photographers: Grace & Weiming
Videographers: Nigel & Alex
Wedding Gown: La Runa
Make Up: Bride’s sister, Mai
Decorations, stationery, cake, flowers & wedding planning: The Andaman
Dinner Entertainment: Dan & 9 Lives

For those who have been reading this blog for sometime, you might know that I started out my career in the local film and television line. For many years, I edited TV programs, dramas, films, documentaries… and also directed some episodes of various television programs. Then in 2007, I began to explore the world of weddings through my camera lens. You can read more about my history here.

So how is this relevant to what I am about to say?

Well, basically, we will be involved in a new project involving an international travel channel that broadcasts to 120 countries worldwide. No, this doesn’t mean that we are no longer photographing weddings. Every now and then, I believe in doing new things that will help fuel creativity, and though it’s been a while since I directed a TV program, this is something I’m excited to do.

So… this is where you come in.

We are looking to feature weddings in Malaysia, Indonesia (Bali), Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines and Singapore. For each episode, we will feature one local couple and one couple who are traveling to that destination for their wedding. If you are getting married in these locations within the months of May-August 2012 and would love to have your wedding featured internationally on television, do contact us!

Please email grace.tan [at] stories.my with these details:

1. Your name & your fiance’s name

2. The location and date of your wedding

3. Why you think your wedding should be featured (or perhaps some unique details about your wedding plans)

4. Include a photo of the both of you

And that’s it! This is not a contest. We will select the couple based on the best story that fits our requirements. We are excited to hear from you, so do email us soon!

Men in kilts?

A couple who are head over heels in love?

What a glorious combination! Stephen and Sarah’s wedding was filled with laughter, silliness, and lots of great memories. It didn’t matter that it rained on their wedding day. Everything came together beautifully.

I still remember the first time I met Stephen and Sarah at a Starbucks in Petaling Jaya, a couple of months ago. Sarah told me that though they wanted a beach wedding, she didn’t actually like sand getting between her toes. It made sense then that the Float at the Westin, Langkawi would make the perfect location for their beach wedding.

The day before the wedding, Alex and I arrived in Langkawi to meet the family and friends of the couple. I was really stoked that Stephen and Sarah were generous enough to put us up at the Westin… that was a really lovely birthday treat for me! That night, after a delicious dinner with Alex, we came back to our room to discover a surprise… a birthday cake from Stephen and Sarah! Thank you so much for being so thoughtful!

Ok, back to the wedding…

Stephen & Sarah’s Story

We first met at a friend’s birthday party back in 2008 where we got into a heated debate about the labour laws in Thailand.  We argued for at least an hour despite the fact that I was agreeing with Sarah the whole time.  This kind of set the tone for the rest of the relationship :p

We were both in relationships at that time and we saw each other every now and then but we were just friends.  Things stayed the same until two years later when we moved into buildings next door to each other in the same apartment complex in Dubai.

We saw a lot more of each other and went on a couple of ‘fake holidays’ at the beach bar at the Hilton on Jumeirah Beach and I really started falling for her.

I thought things were going well when Sarah invited me to her pre-Christmas “Dubai Orphans” dinner at her house.  We talked all night and I even stayed to do the washing up (a first for me, sadly this is now my main duty in the relationship) and that night we shared a good night kiss.

I invited Sarah out for dinner the next day and she turned me down!

However all that changed in a few months over a series of three music concerts.  We went to see James Morrison at the Dubai Jazz Festival and ended up dancing the night away afterwards and that was the first time I realized that Sarah might be falling for me too.  Two weeks later we went to see Sting, the night before Sarah had tricked me into a date by arranging for me to meet her in the bar next to her work.  I thought it was a normal night out with everyone and was shocked to see it was only Sarah when I arrived.  We had a great night talking, laughing, Sarah playing songs on the jukebox and we even made a bet that would end up in ‘platinum’ ;) The night ended with Sarah’s famous scrambled eggs.

The next day we were at the Sting concert together and after leaving we were deserted by our friends and ended up sharing a taxi home together.  In the back of the taxi I asked Sarah if we were more than just friends and for the first time she agreed.

Unfortunately I had to go to the UK on business the very next day but we spent the week texting each other constantly (the phone bill was huge) and we even managed to squeeze in a Youtube date, which I nearly got fired for missing a company dinner to meet Sarah online.

Finally at the end of a long week away I got home just in time to go on our first date to the Paolo Nutini concert in Dubai.  We spent the day together with duty free champagne and marmalade on toast and then went out for the greatest first date in the history of first dates.

After that we spent the whole week together and we have pretty much spent every day together ever since.  It’s been the best two years of my life.

Sarah, you glowed.

Love the teddy cufflinks. Very macho.

Time to get married!

It was a super windy day!

Dinner was held at The Tide, Westin.

Stephen and Sarah, thank you for choosing us and for allowing us to be part of this beautiful day. Alex and I had so much fun. I hope these images will remind you of the love you share, forty years down the road when you are old and wrinkly.

You also summed up my thoughts precisely when I read what you wrote about your wedding planning process. You could not have said it any better.

We planned the wedding ourselves, over masses of lists and cut out pages from magazines, on the dining room table, with gin and tonics in hand and music on in the background, colour coded spreadsheets and a “contentious decisions” list. Anything we couldn’t agree on at that time was put on the contentious decisions list and was worked out later. Our parents were great sounding boards as well, reminding us constantly that although the details of it all were important, that the most important thing was that we were getting married to each other. And at the end of the day, that is the most important thing.

Credits:

Photographers: Grace & Alex
Location: The Westin, Langkawi
Wedding Gown: Boyle from “After You Say Yes”, Intercontinental Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
Groom’s Attire: Heritage Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
Shoes: Jimmy Chia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Flowers & Decorations: Darling Florist, Langkawi, Malaysia
Stationery:  Wedding Paper Divas
Cake: The Westin, Langkawi

Though I was excited to photograph this wedding, it came with a new set of challenges as I had just twisted my ankle the day before the wedding. In an unglamorous fashion, I tripped when I came down a short flight of stairs at my home, just before I was due to head to the airport. My ankle ached that entire night even though I had placed an ice pack on it, and I had no choice but to pray for a better ankle for the shoot the next day. On the morning of the wedding, I hobbled slightly to Michael and Vanessa’s room, but miraculously, once the whole event started, I was prancing around… almost normally.

I also thank God for Johan who was there as my 2nd photographer. On the day we arrived, he carried my bags, drove the car to Andaman and got me food and an ice pack. I could not have done it alone! That’s just one of the reasons we ALWAYS shoot a wedding with 2 photographers! Photographers are always expected to perform, even though they are sick or injured. Vanessa and Michael were really kind though, they were totally concerned about my foot and my wellbeing.

Vanessa & Michael first met at a mutual friend’s Halloween party years ago. He definitely created an impression on Vanessa as he came dressed as a fairy all in pink, with a tiara, wings, corset and long hair (real one at that too!) to match. I would have loved to see photos of how he looked like back then! From that time on, Vanessa and Michael continued to see each other regularly and now, five years later, they are married!

About the wedding (from Vanessa & Michael’s perspective)

Our wedding was a long time in the making. It all started at a mutual friend’s party in London more than 5 years ago and from here on, we knew that are our lives were destined to move in the same direction. Given our mutual love of travel and our heritage being from UK, Malaysia and Australia, we always knew that our wedding would be held in some exotic paradise far from our home in London…

After many discussions as to where we thought we could realistically get all our family and friends to come out to, we settled on Malaysia - halfway between where we each grew up and not to mention, home of Vanessa’s cultural roots and where a large majority of the family already were. A whirlwind trip to Langkawi less than a year before the wedding saw us visit a few venues, but we fell in love with the Andaman as soon as we were there, with the rainforest in the background and the stunning beach on the doorstep of the hotel. The inquisitive monkeys hanging out during our meeting with Norliza the wedding planner also helped sell it to us, and thus begun our long process of planning a wedding from half a world way.

The day could not have gone any better for us. It was everything we really wanted and had envisaged and more. Everything worked out perfectly from the weather to the food, the backdrop during both the ceremony and reception was stunning and the day just went by so quickly that we wish we could have slowed it down somehow! It was a beautiful, unforgettable day and we are just glad to have so many amazing photographs to help us remember it all.

Right from when we met Grace before our wedding to the morning of the big day when we were still deciding what it is we really wanted from our photos, the Stories team had been really helpful and supportive in providing suggestions and understanding what we wanted from them on our most important day. They blended in with the day so well and at points we didn’t even notice them (in a good way!) but they were always on hand if we did decide on a whim that we wanted photos taken with certain family and friends, and were totally at ease with it all. What we loved most about the Stories team though, was their ability to take stunning pictures of us that were natural, unintrusive and that captured our loved ones and their expressions when they least expected it. Their style and way of working resonated so much with us both and we were very impressed with them both on the day and in terms of what they have produced for us.

There were a lot of tears shed during the vows. It’s usually the bride who cries at weddings, but this time, Michael was the one who did!

We definitely have to squeeze some time in for portraits after the ceremony!

Their wedding came together with the help of many of their friends. From the make up (done by the maid of honour, Reema), to the wedding menu (created by the best man, Mat) to the table plan (designed by Vanessa’s sister’s boyfriend, Dhanesh), everything was created with love.

The world map (table plan) is customized with their names on it, and each table was named after places they have traveled to and love.

Congratulations Vanessa and Michael! All the best for the future and I hope you cover the world map with more pins and postcards!

Credits: 

Photographers: Grace & Johan
Wedding gown: The Bride, St Albans
Groom’s Attire: King & Allen
Cake: The Andaman 
Wedding Planner: Norliza of the Andaman
Flowers: Darling Florist 

That’s the key word to describe Danny and Jennifer’s first year together as a couple. It’s also a running theme for their wedding day, as we had to travel many kilometres to go from one location to another. Danny started the day at his home in KL, while Jennifer got ready in Seremban. Together with his heng dais, they traveled the distance to pick Jennifer up, and then headed back to KL for the tea ceremony. Immediately after, everyone departed KL and headed south again, this time to Port Dickson for their beach ceremony.

But that distance doesn’t compare to the one year they spent traveling back and forth from Malacca to KL. They were physically apart, with Jenn working in KL and him in Malacca, completing his final year as a student. It was a tough journey, as they each led separate lives (one working, the other studying), finding it difficult to spend time or even meet up with each other but they never gave up.

Back track 8 years ago… to when their story first began in 2003. They met on the very first day of uni in MMU, placed in the same orientation group. It was not a typical ‘love at first sight’ story.

Danny & Jenn’s story as written by Danny

In 2007, after Jenn graduated, we began writing our love story. How did we go on a first date? We both loved spaghetti carbonara, that’s why we had our first date to try out the delicious carbonara at The Noodle Bar, Melaka. That first year was a really tough year but once I graduated, I worked in KL which allowed us to grow our love and bring our relationship even further.

After 3 years together, we decided to take a big step in our life – to buy a house together. We wanted to spend the rest of our life together, build a beautiful home, and to have our own family. When she least expected it, I proposed. Jenn always wondered if I would ever propose because I was never a romantic person, and always say there’s no need to propose.

Buy house = no proposal = get married straight.

On 01/01/11, I surprised her with 99 red roses and a diamond ring. I got down on my knees to propose and of course, she agreed.

Moving into a new home (not to mention the cost of renovating & furnishing) and getting married in the same year ain’t easy. We made the decision to get married in May 2011, moved to a new home in June, and planned for a November wedding. It was really tough, especially on the pocket but we took the huge risk. We only started planning our wedding after we moved in.

5 short months to plan our big day was a real big challenge. Two biggest challenges: 1) Venue, and 2) Photographer. With such a short notice, it was difficult to get a dinner venue and a good photographer. It was a ‘hot’ year, so many weddings, especially on nice date, 20/11/2011. I really thank God for blessing us as we managed to get our dream wedding venue – a beautiful beach at Avillion PD, and noted photographers – Stories (and Grace was available for it) within a short period of time.

Despite it all, both of us really did enjoy the process of planning. Our wedding theme, ‘Sweet Serendipity’ was inspired the song title, ‘Sweet Serendipity’ by Lee DeWyze. The lyrics of the song somehow reflected us and the situation we were in, especially the chorus part…

I ain’t gonna stress
Cause the worst ain’t happened yet
Something’s watching over me
Like Sweet Serendipity

We took the risk, we pulled through the rough road, and on top of it all we were blessed as we got what we wanted for our dream wedding.

Danny and Jennifer decided to go for a traditional Chinese theme for the morning part of the ceremony. I was really amused when I saw the customized t-shirts for the heng dais and ji muis. In fact, quite a number of items were customized based on their wedding theme and logo, which you’ll see more of soon.

Look at their customized ang pow packets! I salute Jenn for folding so many of these packets!

Danny:

We always dreamt of having a beach wedding. It was raining before we had our ceremony.  We had to make a decision if we wanted to move our wedding event to the ballroom. We were a real risk taker and still opted for the beach wedding. We were so stressed looking at the rain, especially when our ceremony should have already started. Everything was delayed for almost an hour due to the rain. Thankfully, it was cleared by then. The rest of the night (both ROM and dinner) was perfect and memorable for both of us.

After being together 1,549 days, we said ‘I do’ to each other in a small ceremony, witnessed by close family and friends. It was a dream wedding for both of us, as we started our love journey at a beach. =)

Thank you to Grace, Diane, and Mark of the Stories team for being a part of our wedding, doing their magic, capturing the most wonderful moments of our big day, despite of being tired from all the traveling they had to do throughout the day. The photographs were wonderful and we love them so much. Expressions and moments were beautifully captured and the effects were very natural. We definitely would love to have Stories to photograph the next stages of our life – maternity to family portraits. Bravo, you guys!

Remember what I mentioned about customization? They customized their guest book, welcome board, serviettes, wedding invites, program fans, seating number badges and even sticky candy stickers, down to the candy itself! I absolutely love the design of their logo! Look closely at the candy and you’ll see their names!

Purple and white’s a great theme… hey, great minds think alike cause I had a purple and white wedding too, 6 years ago!

Their evening was made even more perfect with this gorgeous sunset!

Oh and I so love the cake that I have to show you how it looks from 2 different angles. I do wonder about the ship’s anchor though… does it mean that they love going on cruises, or does it mean that each keeps the other anchored? :)

Danny and Jennifer, the day couldn’t have been better. I am so glad that everything went well despite the rain. Thank you for choosing us, and we look forward to photographing your maternity and family portraits! :)

It’s been a long post, but I’d like to leave you with some tips on how to plan for a beach wedding, as shared by Danny and Jennifer:

8 TIPS FOR A BEACH WEDDING

1)     Size of Beach: Ensure the size of the beach is able to cater for the number of guests invited. It’s more comfortable when there’s ample space to move around.

2)     Settings (Layout Plan): If you’re going to have both the ROM and dinner on the same night, ensure the setting and spacing is sufficient for guests to mingle. Oh, you’ll need space to toss the bouquet too!

3)     Wedding Gown: Light weight and comfortable as it allows you to move and walk around easily. You wouldn’t want to look as if you are carrying a heavy weight while walking.

4)     Grooms’ Attire: Comfortable and nothing too thick as it’s gonna be very hot and sweaty.

5)     Shoes: Comfortable! You’ll have to walk on the beach in it the whole night. Either you have it on or take it off.

6)     Guests’ Attire: Do inform your guests in advance on their dressing. As a beach wedding is an outdoor event, you wouldn’t want them to dress as though they’re going for a party in a ballroom, especially ladies in heels. It’s semi-casual after all.

7)     Make-up & Hair do: A good make-up artist and make-up products are crucial, and ampoules are essential. You are sure to sweat and you wouldn’t want your make-up to smudge. An up hair-do gives you a ‘non-sweaty-with-wet-hair-sticking-to-your-neck-&-shoulder-look’.

8)     Back-up Plan: Very important, just in case it rains!!!

Credits:
Photographers:  Grace, Mark, assisted by Diane
Location: Avillion, Port Dickson
Wedding Gown: Pretty in White, & DressMe
Groom’s Attire: Armani Exchange, Topman & Mohan’s Executives
Shoes: Aldo, Pedro
Make up & hair: Michelle Touche
Decorations: Avillion & Javen Florist
Stationery: Paper & Colour
Cake: Sugar Boutique
Flowers: Pure Seed & Javen Florist

I think I panicked and gasped at the same time for a whole 1 minute.

Actually, Yee Xing’s sister Yee Ming had contacted me a few weeks before the ROM and asked if I was available to shoot the event and also some family portraits on that day. I was mentally prepared for a family shoot but wasn’t prepared for such an elaborate event. What made matters interesting was that there were 2 other videographers hired on that day, plus one other photographer from Singapore. Can you imagine all of us trying to squeeze on that tiny platform in the middle of the pool, including the bride, groom & wedding officiant? I had to do a lot of creative framing on that day . :)

In the end, everything turned out well and I am pleased with the outcome of the images.

Colin & Yee Xing, I hope you like these images and I look forward to your wedding banquet!

Yee Xing was one really calm bride. While we were getting ready in the room, her zip actually broke and we couldn’t zip up her wedding gown! Her make up artist and my assistant Yih Wen was busy trying to sew up her wedding gown, and everything was delayed by 45 minutes. But through it all, she was smiling, completely unfrazzled! Of course, that gave me more time to take portraits of Colin!

Some family photos before the ROM starts.

Before she walked down the aisle, Yee Xing actually sang a beautiful song for Colin. So sweet!

Another family photo for the road.

Credits:
Photographer: Grace, assisted by Yih Wen
Location: Capella, Singapore 

What a totally memorable wedding this was for us and for Alvin & Melissa. It was at this wedding that I am reminded, at the end of the day, what matters is the marriage, not the wedding event itself. It is at weddings like these where I confirm my conviction… that being a photographer is one of the best jobs one could have. Capturing love between two individuals, helping them remember the day, how they felt… it makes me truly happy. I am overjoyed.

You see, this wedding day started very differently than most other weddings I have shot.

It started with Alvin being sick, and landing at the hospital…

But the good thing for them is that the day ended very differently…

If you have seen Alvin & Melissa’s pre-wedding photos, you’ll know that they are a totally fun loving couple. From the time of our shoot, we had a special kind of bond. :)

You’ll also know that Melissa has a great eye for detail and beauty.

Melissa had planned the wedding months in advance… everything was meant to be perfect…

But on the morning of the wedding, Alvin fell ill. A really worried Melissa insisted he that he go to the hospital to get a jab, even though that would mean everything would be delayed. Alvin had awesome guy friends who supported him all the way, and accompanied him there.

So did Mark, who took a few photos at the hospital.

Eventually, Alvin made it through… and finally reached Melissa’s home. Good thing he only had to sit down, while the rest of the guys went through the whole ‘torturing’ process…

The words Alvin read to Melissa totally sums the mood of the day.

Today’s the day my life begins.
All my life I’ve been just me.
Today I become a man.
Today I become a husband.
Today I become accountable to someone other than myself.
Today I become accountable to you.
To our future.
To all the possibilities that a marriage has to offer.
Together, no matter what happens, I’ll be ready.
For anything. For everything.
To take on life, to take on love.
To take on possibility and responsibility.
Today, Melissa Chew, our life together begins.
And I for one can’t wait.

In some amusing way, this hospital theme runs through their relationship…

Mel’s Story:

We met at a friend’s birthday pool party. I came late and Alvin was half naked and in yellow board shorts. I thought he was gay! And we asked the same girl to introduce us at separate time during the party. I was taken aback by his persistent and forwardness because I wasn’t ready. And it didn’t help that all our friends where pushing and playing match-makers. When our friends left for a vacation, that’s when magic really happened. We went out on our first date and our second date the very next day less than 12 hours after!

Just after a week of starting a relationship, I had to fly to Manila for work and ended up in the hospital for a liver infection! My first time being admitted to a hospital and I was far from home and comfort. Alvin flew over just to be at my side! And they say… the rest is history. When he proposed, he didn’t even have a ring but I said yes anyway

Alvin’s Story:

When we 1^st met, I had my eye on the new gal that came late n asked to be introduce. We had our 1^st date at mezze and the next day again. That’s 2 days in a row. Mel gave me a Fuji instant camera on our 2^nd date n that was a shock to me. Hmmmm…..not bad! Brownie points indeed. As Mel mentioned, I flew to Manila to be with her when she was admitted. I wasn’t sure at first but when I got in and saw her, I knew she was the one. (even though she had “chankles”). The rest is history as they say but she really did swept my heart with her smile even from the first day we met. I can still remember that day at the pool party.

I love it when couples include personal items into their decoration list.

Alvin & Melissa, after being there for your wedding and seeing the love you have for one another, I am sure you will be able to stand through any storm that comes your way. Life will never be perfect, but what matters most is that you have each other to walk through it. I am honoured to have been there to document your love.

Hugs!

I am really looking forward to the Christmas holidays though, as that will be the first break I am getting in many months. I will be planning for next year and also trying to sort out everything for the new office… we will be moving into SS2 mall early next year! Once the studio is opened, we will have some promotions, so do keep a look out on this blog!

Just as a little teaser, here are some images I took yesterday at the gorgeous Capella Hotel in Sentosa, Singapore. Definitely one of the prettiest outdoor locations I’ve seen so far!

Have a great Christmas season and happy shopping!

Howard & Seok Poh have been dating for almost 10 years ever since they got to know each other through the Malaysian Society in Imperial College, London where they were studying. A long distance relationship was inevitable but eventually, the both of them ended up working in Hong Kong.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of city life in a huge metropolitan area where the human density per square kilometer is one of the highest in the world, both Howard and Seok Poh decided to come back to Malaysia and have a wonderful wedding ceremony and dinner amongst close friends and family. Not only that, it was held on the beautiful island of Langkawi.

What more can you ask for? Beautiful white sand for a beach wedding, a huge tent by the seaside for the dinner and great friends and family to celebrate with. That is definitely a dream wedding come true. The atmosphere was perfect, the wind was blowing and both the couple were so relaxed that they decided to have fun and games before the ceremony. So much so a group of them decided to have a water polo match!

Housed at the beautiful and new Danna Hotel in Langkawi, it was great fun shooting and capturing their moments. Even through the weather and rain, both Howard and Seok Poh continued on with the events and everything turned out beautifully including the after party party!

Have a great marriage!

- Mark -