Two weeks after Alfred’s and Geeta’s colourful wedding celebration, the Wedding Story team traveled down to Malacca to photograph their wedding dinner. It was held at MITC Hall in Ayer Keroh. The hall was decorated beautifully with lots of flowers and decorations everywhere.
The cool thing about Alfred’s outfit was that he rented it just about a week before the dinner.
The walk in was led by really cute children. Halfway through, they didn’t know which way to go, to the dining table or the stage!
They walked in to the tune of one of Michael Jackson’s songs. How cool is that!
Definitely multicultural. A Hindu wedding in a Chinese temple. Chinese tea ceremony with hands covered in henna. Sarees amongst Chinese lanterns. I love it. I love the fact that we live in a world that is so colourful. Alfred and Geeta are definitely a fun couple. Geeta is an old school friend of mine whom I hadn’t seen in years till last year. After shooting their engagement in 2008, they had to go through a change in plans after Alfred was diagnosed with cancer. The wedding was postponed to this year and I am soooo pleased to photograph this event. It really goes to show how love can really be the glue that holds 2 people together. Through thick and thin. Alfred & Geeta even had to go through the challenges of long distance relationship, with him being in Africa for a period of time, then KL, and she in Malacca. Here’s their story from Geeta’s perspective.
“We met through a mutual friend, Sharon in 2005. We started chatting on YM and met after Wesson’s wedding. We didn’t click right away. Then, he calls me from Africa and we talk almost everyday. I was attracted to his simple and honest nature – and he is a good listener. He surprised me by turning up unexpectedly at a conference at which I was presenting my paper. That’s when our love blossomed – and the rest is history.
We have gone through ups and downs throughout our relationship, that which only strengthened our love for each other. I was already a wife to him and he was already a husband to me when we stood there for each other during the hardship we faced when he was going through chemotherapy. Going through that difficult part was like on an auto-pilot mode – just going through one day at a time together – supporting each other with loving words and hope that tomorrow will be a better day. Now looking back, we are thankful for having each other and we thank God for the second chance He has given to us.
This is just the beginning of a happy journey where every passing day is happier than the preceding day. Our toast to each other, ‘Grow old along with me, The best is yet to be.”
Alfred and Geeta, I wish you years of bliss together. Thank you for your friendship! Photos were taken by Grace, Mark and Ian.
Thean Hou Temple in Taman Seputeh.
The ceremony had a few parts to it – firstly the groom’s ritual where he is offered a ring made of tharpai grass to wear on his right ring finger. A Pillayar poojai is then conducted by tying a saffron thread to the right wrist of the groom. During this time the groom will hold a coconut, uncooked yellow rice, and some other items in both palms. Then a few women will come and perform the nallungu to signify the fertility of the union.
I’ve known Chee Su’s sister Choon Ean for years. Not only have we worked together on various projects but we’ve also traveled to numerous countries together (eg. Nepal, Myanmar etc) sharing the same room for weeks! Choon Ean is a really amazing person and an excellent videographer, shooting with the Wedding Story team for various weddings. So I felt totally comfortable being around her and Chee Su’s family. Then when I met Christina and her family, they made me feel like family too! The entire Ouwerkerk family is just hilarious and they crack me up with their jokes and cute little antics.
The wedding was full of drama, emotions, smiles, tears and laughter. I have so much to give thanks for. Firstly, I was completely relieved that I had recovered from my flu by the time the wedding rolled around. Secondly, I am grateful to God for giving me this opportunity to shoot in the Netherlands, 13 hours by flight away from Malaysia. And thirdly, for the beautiful people who were there that day – they made my photos shine with their warm smiles.
The day started with beautiful sunshine. Christina woke up, went to the hairdressers, and then came home to do her own wedding make up! Apparently it’s very normal for people in Holland to do their own make up, since make up artists are few and also very expensive. The wedding ring shot was taken in Christina’s back yard. Can you believe they have a grape vine in their backyard?
Christina loves butterflies. I found some in her garden. :) And also this bouquet was done by Christina! How amazing is that! Even the decorations at the church was done by her and the entire family.
He would walk to the American Protestant Church at The Hague every week and she would drive by, noticing him. Soon, after many outings to Clingendael Park with friends, playing frisbee during summer days, they fell in love. Really in love. And I am so honoured to have this opportunity to photograph Chee Su and Christina in Holland. The first few photos were taken around Zwijndrecht and Kinderdijk.
The past one week has been a whirlwind of an experience. From the moment I touched down in Amsterdam on the 4th of August till the wedding day, I’ve been running on adrenaline. After spending 2 days in Amsterdam, I came down with a full blown fever and flu on the third day. It was a really challenging time for me since I was by myself and having to lug heavy equipment and bags all over Holland while blowing my nose at the same time is not something I was looking forward to do.
Some sights around Amsterdam.
But I had to muster whatever strength I had and travel about an hour away by train to meet Christina and Chee Su at Zwijndrecht. That evening itself we were supposed to have our pre-wedding shoot but since I was not feeling too well we decided to postpone the main part of it till the next day. Instead we went to a nearby river for some quick shots.
The next day, we went to Kinderdijk, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. The place is covered with mindmills and the landscape is absolutely stunning! We spent about 2 hours there and I even had time to climb up one windmill (as a 10 minute touristy thing). That afternoon, I crashed for 4 hours since I was still weak from the flu. Later in the evening we came back for more photos! Christina and Chee Su braved their fears and went out onto the water in a really unstable row boat. Thank God it didn’t overturn! Here are some teaser shots from the shoot.
