fbpx Skip to main content
search
0
Grace Tan
In Church Weddings, International, Life, Musings, Weddings

Myanmar Wedding: Bobo and Catherine

Catherine and Bobo are in their twenties and in love. They are youthful, enjoy life, love the Lord, and dream of a future together. Pretty much with the same dreams as any average young adult Malaysian. The only difference is that they are living in Malaysia as refugees. When Catherine traveled thousands of kilometres by land from her Myanmar home to Malaysia years ago, she had to face many uncertainties, fears and hardships as she made the journey here.

She moved to Malaysia because she wanted to help her parents who are pastors in Myanmar to support their younger siblings through school. Even though she didn’t know anyone in Malaysia then, she left the comforts of her home to a foreign land, alone. Somehow, God connected her to some other Myanmar nationals who were also seeking refuge in Malaysia. And it was there that she found a church to belong to – a church that spoke her language and were filled with her own countryfolk.

Interestingly, Catherine got to know Bobo at church, but only got to know him better at another Myanmar refugee wedding we photographed 2 years ago. When I asked Catherine what attracted her to Bobo… she answered without hesitating… “I love how he loves the Lord.”

Since most of their friends (including them) work at restaurants or boutiques in shopping malls that close after 10pm, it’s natural that the only time they can conduct a wedding is at midnight.

How our paths crossed
One day, I got a FB message from a girl named Sheryl asking if I could recommend a place where Catherine could get a wedding gown for under RM400. This girl Catherine also had in mind to send the gown back to Myanmar to her father’s church after her wedding so that it could help other girls who couldn’t really afford a gown. After a few messages, I told her that I had my old wedding gown which I could give to her if she was keen on having it (since we were both petite at XS size). I met her in church one day, and gave her 2 of my wedding gowns to choose from. It fit her to a T! It was really special to see that my gown went to someone who appreciated it so muchI also want to thank the team of people who came together to make this wedding memorable for Catherine and Bobo. They include:

Make up & hair for bride: Michelle Touche
Make up & hair for bridesmaids: Shinny Ong
Photographers & Videographers: Stories.my (Ben, Diane, Grace, Wee Liem and Johan)
Wedding Cake & Catering: Makanlah Now
Church: DUMC

Continue Reading

Grace Tan
In Chinese Weddings, Wedding Films & Videos, Weddings

Glam, Glitter and Fast Cars: The Wedding of Nicholas and Lina

20130302_WEDDING_NICHOLAS_LINA_0383

From their pre-wedding shoot in Krabi, Thailand to the beautiful garden ROM at Carcosa Seri Negara and now, to their actual wedding day, Nicholas and Lina’s wedding celebrations are full of epic moments. I am not really a car person, but my jaw did drop when I was told that the wedding vehicle entourage would consist of some superbikes, Maseratis, Porsches, Bentleys, Ferraris, and a Rolls-Royce. Did I even miss out anything? Needless to say, when they arrived at Lina’s home on the day of the wedding, the entire neighbourhood could hear the revving of the engines from these luxury cars.

So, you can tell that Nicholas is the kind of guy who loves fine things. He loves his fast cars and is a cool kind of guy. Once he sets his eyes on something he likes, it stays for a long time. With Lina, Nicholas becomes a soft-hearted person who delights in pleasing and pampering her… treating her like a queen.

If you watch their fusion wedding video here and also, the extended version of their wedding video highlight at the bottom, you’ll see with your eyes and hear with your heart the amount of love these two share with each other.

Enjoy.

20130302_WEDDING_NICHOLAS_LINA_0596

Continue Reading

Grace Tan
In Chinese Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Portraits, , Weddings

ROM at Carcosa: Nicholas & Lina

Nicholas and Lina’s epic wedding started off with this gorgeous ROM ceremony at Carcosa Seri Negara. After photographing their ROM, I had a tough time choosing which images to share from this wedding. We also have a cool fusion video, and a wedding video highlight to share too… so you’ll be overloaded with images really soon!

It was in 2004 that Nicholas and Lina first got to know each other… they were both in Sri KL and through the help of Friendster (before Facebook existed!), they got acquainted…and they fell in love. Years later, Nicholas proposed in a spectacular way after their anniversary dinner, with the help of a magician. They were in a public place and Lina didn’t suspect a thing. Trick after trick, the magician performed, until it came to a fiery trick… where he produced a ring. Nicholas immediately took the ring, got down on one knee and gave the most romantic speech Lina had ever heard.

And she said yes.

20130128_ROM_NICHOLAS_LINA_461

20130128_ROM_NICHOLAS_LINA_523

20130128_ROM_NICHOLAS_LINA_001

Continue Reading

Diane
In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Studio

Studio Portraits: Chong Family

Taking on this shoot for the lovely Chong family reminded me a lot of the season in my life where I used to work at Vital Years, where I needed to connect with boisterous and fun toddlers. Little Ethan is cheeky, playful and loves singing. Little Katelyn is shy in the beginning, but is a ball of energy once the ice is broken. Baby Isaac is simply adorable. It must be a handful for parents, Adrian & Michelle!

20130228_FamilyPortraits_Adrian_Michelle_Katelyn_Isaac53

Here are some of my favourites from the shoot:

20130228_FamilyPortraits_Adrian_Michelle_Katelyn_Isaac28

Continue Reading

Grace Tan
In Family + Children Portraits, Life, Musings, Portraits, Relationships

My First Mother’s Day!

What a thrill it is to celebrate my first Mother’s Day! I know now what it feels like to have a child of my own. Everyday, I give thanks to God for this little miracle of life that He has given to me. Everything about Krysta seems perfect to me… from her amazing hairdo that everyone talks about to her cute pudgy little legs… she is priceless. Deep down, I know that I’ll be willing to sacrifice anything for my little girl. Before I became a mum, I used to think that most mothers can be a little ‘overbearing’ and obsessed when it comes to their kids.

But now that I am one…

Yes, I have a confession to make. I am now an overbearing and obsessed mum! Especially when it comes to recording moments of her life as she grows. And wow, they grow so quickly! Tomorrow, Krysta turns 5 months old and I look forward to many more years as her mum. I hope I can be the kind of mum that she thinks is cool to hang out with, and one that she can share everything with.

Krysta, I love you to bits. Just cuddling you in my arms as you lay your head to rest makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Let’s go through life’s many adventures together with your dad, and future siblings! There’s so much of the world to see!

xoxo,
Mum

Krysta_7days-1

*Krysta as a newborn – photo by Asther Lau

Krysta_4months

* Krysta as a 4 month old. By the way, I realize I have a new skill now as a mum-photographer – I can juggle from looking at the camera’s viewfinder, to giving eye contact over the lens!

Krysta_4months2

Close Menu