Johan Sopiee

Johan Sopiee In Chinese Weddings, Church Weddings, Weddings

Wedding in Christ Church, Malacca: Jeremy & Sarah

Jeremy and Sarah’s wedding was held at the beautiful Christ Church in Malacca. Being an 18th-century Anglican church, its Dutch Colonial architecture style and colors are unmistakable, as was the chemistry between the Sarah and Jeremy.

20131130_WEDDING_JEREMY_SARAH_559 Jeremy “likes to think of himself as an outdoorsy person”. And by the way that sentence was constructed, yes, we know you wrote that about him, Sarah! Hehe. Apparently, he loves hiking, kayaking and soaking up the air too. When I close my eyes, I can almost see him hiking up a mountain and kayaking down a river valley, with the song “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. Ain’t No Valley Low Enough” playing in the background. I’d say – Ain’t no river wide enough, to keep Jeremy from getting to you, Sarah.

Then “they” describe Sarah as more of an extrovert who has a soft spot for animals and all things quirky. She loves creative writing (no wonder she works in the media industry!) and little does she know that we found out that she’s actually published “The tale of a Malaysian girl in NUS” in 2012. Wow! Congrats Sarah!

By the way, a little bird also told us that Jeremy likes a Facebook page entitled “Sleeping with one leg out of the covers”. Now, I bet you didn’t know that about the groom.

20131130_WEDDING_JEREMY_SARAH_001 Continue Reading

Johan Sopiee In Malay Weddings, Weddings

Ishnnal & Nurraihan’s Wedding Banquet, Concorde Hotel

“When did you both meet? How did you fall in love with each other?” I asked. And very demurely, Ishnnal says “We met at a friend’s house-warming party… A year later I contacted Raihan via Facebook and we started chatting and decided to meet up for our first date at Ben’s KLCC. And the rest is history.”

Not satisfied with my sleuthing skills, I asked them to describe each other. And again, in a very matter of fact manner, they describe him as “loving and romantic” and her as “bubbly and fun loving”. Ok. They seem like a very simple and straightforward couple. It should be a very straightforward wedding shoot. I was dead wrong.

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Nothing could prepare us for their colourful wedding reception, his crooning and their loving moments with each other throughout the night. I simply loved the theme of the wedding hall and the atmosphere of the night. Weiming did a great job at capturing so many lovely detail shots and candid moments while I was upstairs photographing the delectable couple in their regal and elegant outfits.

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Johan Sopiee In Church Weddings, Weddings

Pink Church Wedding: Edrian & Stella

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“Today is the day You have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it…”

Edrian first met Stella at his sister’s wedding. It felt like a matchmaking party because somehow, everyone were just trying to matchmake them. Stellajane was still in medical school and he was working with no proper direction in life. So Edrian kept shying away and avoiding any contact with Stella. This was way back in 2008.

But the heavens had other plans.

One Christmas in 2011, Edrian decided to drop her a message online, somehow hoping she won’t reply. But after few days, one reply came, which led to another and another. Soon they were all set for their first date – playing captain ball! (rather untraditional!)

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Edrian says…

She jumped so high and right into my heart. I just had to see her again and again. And slowly before I knew it, I proposed to her in the most romantic way I thought possible. I decided to sing and play the guitar..song by KC and Jojo ‘- All My Life. Did I mention that I never sing!? Well must have done something right because she said yes!

All my stars aligned when the right one popped up!

About the wedding…every minute of it was so intense. Continue Reading

Johan Sopiee In Chinese Weddings, Weddings

ROM at Ciao Ristorante: Kenneth & Mae

It was her first day at work, back in 2006, when Mae joined the company as a Management Trainee. Since he was also a trainee, they shared daily anecdotes and various survival skills, working whilst having fun in the process. What struck Kenneth was Mae’s cheerful and friendly personality. It was like a glimpse of warm sunshine amidst the gloomy office environment (especially when she visited the dark, cold corner of the office where he was seated).

Mae’s first impression of Kenneth was that he was a loud, brash, and obnoxious guy. Not the best but a funny guy. Nevertheless a good friend. Two years went by, and a friendship developed. They went through thick and thin, sugar and spice. But their friendship flourished throughout.

Then came that fateful day when Kenneth was transferred to work in Johor Bahru. Amazingly, 3 months later, Mae was also transferred to JB, and they celebrated the joyous reunion of 2 friends. They looked out for each other, took care of each other and kept each other company for the next 2 years. Her presence made the faraway posting much easier.

Then came 2010, after Kenneth was transferred back to KL. It was then that they both realized that absence made the heart fonder. Kenneth soon realized that the good friend he had spent all this time with was the person he wanted to spend forever with. Finally, he mustered up to the courage and professed his love to Mae (and this was after a few surprise visits to JB as well!). Outwardly, she played it cool, but secretly, Mae was absolutely elated. The rest, they say is history!

Johan Sopiee In Chinese Weddings, Church Weddings, Weddings

The Double Reverend Wedding of Ashish & Huiyoong

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” ~ C.S Lewis

While Huiyoong Yong shares meaningful quotes on her Facebook wall, Ashish Mathews is the kinda guy who Facebooks about “Anyone else at work?”. Weeks prior to the wedding day, Huiyoong plans everything to the tee, while Ashish hunts for his wedding shoes the night before their big day. Yes, they are a colourful couple.

From the moment we met them both, there was this special something in the air. They are like two people who are worlds apart, and yet like Ying and Yang, you can feel that they were totally meant for each other. Unbreakable, Impenetrable, Irredeemable and yet completely in love. Being and living vulnerable is the glue that binds them together. This is Ashish and Huiyoong’s story.