Weddings

A policeman & a lady: The Wedding of Kim Chuan & Elaine

Photographers: Grace & Alex
Dinner Reception: Hotel Equatorial, Malacca
Cake: Choffles
Wedding Invite: Tinggi Press
Night hand bouquet & flowers: Excellent Sense

“Congratulations, you are married to the force now. We will watch out for your family as one of our own.”

I overheard the Malacca Chief of Police saying to Elaine during the wedding reception. It’s a huge promise, but I am sure one that Kim Chuan (also known as KC) and Elaine appreciate. It’s not everyday that I get to photograph men in uniform (their guests were excited too!). During the dinner walk in, these sword bearers were there to welcome KC & Elaine into the ballroom.

I’ve known KC since I was still running around Malacca in my light blue school uniform (not such a cool uniform compared to what he’s wearing now). We went to tuition together, and it was nice that there were some of my old school friends who were there during the wedding as well. Elaine is from Malacca too, but I only got to know her much later. Since Elaine works at PJ Hilton, her standards of what is good is really high! It was great that she had a few hotelier friends to help in the wedding coordination.

So both KC & Elaine grew up in Malacca, got married in Malacca, and hired a wedding photographer who was originally from Malacca.

And the best thing about it?

Both KC, Elaine and I come from Peranakan families! A typical Peranakan/Baba Nyonya family would have lots of laughter, talking (really loudly at times!), singing and drama all in the same pot. Proud parents from both sides of the family.

Grace Tan In For Photographers, Musings, Testimonials, Tips + Ideas, Wedding Films & Videos, Weddings

Behind the Scenes: Alvin & Melissa

I always have good intentions to do more behind the scenes videos of our shoots, but as with all good intentions, it sometimes remain as intentions when not followed through with action. On a day to day basis, we have so much work to do in terms of photo touch ups and album design that editing videos like these take a back seat. In fact, I have a number of videos that we’ve shot but not had time to edit. :(

So I am glad that we managed to complete this edit, thanks to the ever hardworking Weiming. He shot and edited this video entirely on his own. Amazing work! Thanks Weiming for making me look good in video (though I cringe when I hear my own laughter).

To view the photos from Alvin & Melissa’s shoot at Carcosa, click on this link!

Do let me know what you think of our little video!

[flv:http://www.stories.my/wp-content/uploads/2011/slideshows/alvin-melissa-bts.mp4 http://www.stories.my/wp-content/uploads/2011/slideshows/alvin-melissa-bts.jpg 704 400]

Grace Tan In Malay Weddings, Weddings

The Wedding of Arif & Natassha

Photographers: Grace & Johan (nikah & dinner reception), Johan & Weiming (luncheon)
Nikah & Dinner Reception Location: Holiday Villa, Subang
Luncheon: Felda Villa, KL
Cake: Truly Scrumptious

While thousands of Malaysians took to the streets of KL on the 9th of July 2011 supporting the Bersih 2.0 cause, a group of 100+ people were out for a different purpose – to celebrate the wedding of Arif & Natassha. A few days before the wedding, Johan and I were concerned about the road blocks and not being able to reach the wedding venue on time. Truly it was a blessing that Arif and Natassha’s wedding was held at Holiday Inn, Subang… relatively far away from the events in KL city. I read in the newspaper the next day that some weddings had to be called off due to the massive road blocks.

I am sure Arif and Natassha’s family breathed a sigh of relief when the Coriander Garden hall was packed with their friends and family who were there to witness the akad nikah. No road block was going to stop them from celebrating this joyous occasion!

Arif & Natassha, the wedding was beautiful… and I am so honoured to be able to capture the strong relationship you have with your family members at your wedding.

Grace Tan In Outdoor Weddings, Weddings

Four Seasons, Langkawi: Wilbur & Helen’s Wedding

Photographers: Grace & Johan
Location: Four Seasons Resort, Langkawi
Wedding Gown: After Twelve
Groom’s attire: Dolce & Gabbana, Italy
Make up & Hair: Grace Wang
Decorations & Flowers: Darling Florist
Stationery: White Satin Wedding Stationery, UK
Cake: Four Seasons Resort
Videography: Wedding Story
Dinner Entertainment: Mix N Match, Azlan Nair

She waited 3107 days for him to propose. And propose he did, on the 18th of September 2010.

3338 days since they started dating, they officially registered their marriage at the Old Chelsea Town Hall in Kings Road, London.

And precisely 3388 days since their first date, Wilbur & Helen were married on the beautiful beach at Four Seasons Resort, Langkawi.

Helen was new to London. She had moved from Coventry to start her new job at KPMG London in 2001. Wilbur was new to KPMG too, and since both needed to look for a place to stay, it was fate that connected them together via a simple email. Wilbur asked Helen, “Are you still looking for a flatmate?” Helen had already sorted her accommodation by then, but they continued communication via email and MSN.

Two months later, she was surprised to discover that Wilbur was in the same department and team as her! Wilbur was kind enough to bring Helen around London, and soon, love developed.

Wilbur & Helen love traveling, especially if the place has a gorgeous scenery. There’s only one other place apart from Venice that they have been back twice, and that is Langkawi. They love this charming town (I love it too!). Because of their love of traveling, they decided to name their reception tables according to the places they’ve visited and had many happy memories – Maldives, Venice, Santorini, Hallstatt, Mauritius and Cornwall.

The other theme at their wedding which was really apparent were the butterflies and cats. Helen sourced all over UK and Malaysia for this particular shade of pink, and also custom made this wedding invite. I love the little kitty stamp too! I was told that the black cat looks pretty much like their beloved cat Milo, who had to be left in London while they came to Malaysia for the wedding. I was amazed when I heard that Wilbur drove 45km away from his home to put their cat Milo in a special cat hotel – the only one that had a webcam and internet connection! So while in Langkawi, I had a peep via the internet at Milo, who was sleeping in his little hotel room.

I found out that Helen is a detailed and meticulous person the moment she met me for the first time months ago. As she opened her folder with cut outs of images that she liked, she shared with me the plans for her wedding. I knew it was going to be a wedding filled with lovely details. On top of that, I found out that there were only 50 guests, which is absolutely small by Malaysian standards! She said that she wanted the wedding to be an intimate affair, attended by the people dearest to them. These guests flew all the way from KL, Hong Kong, Singapore, Austria as well as London to be there for the wedding!

Grace Tan In Malay Weddings, Weddings

Akad Nikah & Green Reception: Nora & Along

Photographers: Grace & Johan
Location: Nora’s home & JW Marriott, KL
Hair & Make Up: Khir Khalid
Nora’s Nikah Outfit: Sapto
Nora’s Dinner Outfit: Didit Hediprasetyo
Flowers & Decorations: The Occasions
Stationery: Emma K
Videography: Leonard Hon
Entertainment: Tirta Sari Gamelan

There’s just so much to love about this wedding. I am absolutely thrilled whenever I walk into a wedding and see lots of delicious details that beg to be photographed. Add to that equation two really talented, arty and creative people – Nora & Along, and also all of Nora’s friends who were from Parsons School of Design, New York, (especially those who contributed so much to the wedding day)… everything turned out just perfect. Tears flowed freely during the dinner reception. It was really obvious that Nora & Along are deeply loved by their family and friends.

Some time back, Johan photographed Nora & Along’s engagement ceremony, and a few months later, we were there to photograph their wedding day. Thank you, Nora & Along, for this opportunity to document important moments on your wedding day.

To start off the post, I’d like to point out these lovely invitation cards that were designed by the talented Emma K, who is also Nora’s sister.

It pays to have designer friends. Nora’s nikah gown was designed by her friend Sapto. Gorgeous details!

Look at the details at the back!

Looking at someone’s room can tell you so much about that person. I love Nora’s little wall, filled with important little things. And Along’s toys are cute!