ceremony

Grace Tan In Indian + Punjabi Weddings, Weddings

Ponnurukku: An Eelam Tamil Gold Melting Ceremony

Photographer: Grace
Dinner Reception: Subak Restaurant

In every Indian wedding, the most important element is the thali – the bridal pendant that must be worn at all times after a Hindu wedding ceremony. In Western culture, this would be equivalent to the wedding ring. The thali is made from gold and is fastened around the bride’s neck on the wedding day. But before the main wedding ceremony, there is a tradition of Ponnurukku which is a gold melting ceremony. This was my first Ponnurukku shoot, and I was fascinated by this entire ceremony.

Firstly, I found out that the ceremony is conducted by the groom’s family, in this case, Ganesh’s family. Veena, the bride was not even present during the ceremony. The event was witnessed by family and friends at home. Here’s Ganesh getting ready for the ceremony.

Love the colour and details!

All ready…

Grace Tan In Outdoor Weddings, Weddings

Nathan & Ayu: Langkawi Beach Wedding

Photographers: Grace & Mark
Wedding Gown Boutique: Lasposa
Groom’s Attire: The Page Shop, Sg Wang
Make Up: Nicky @ Westin
Decorations and flowers: Darling Florist, Langkawi
Cake: The Westin
Location: The Westin, Langkawi

As promised, this is the 3rd post for Nathan and Ayu’s wedding. I have mentioned it before in previous posts, but I am going to say it again… I love shooting in Langkawi. Even though I’ve been there many times the past 2-3 years, I am still charmed by the place! From the moment I step out of the airport, I just feel so relaxed. It must be the thought of beaches, paddy fields and a slow pace of life that makes me feel happy. And not to mention it’s easy to drive around, despite the occasional cow blocking the road!

This was my first wedding shoot at The Westin in Langkawi. I love the resort, it’s just so beautiful! Be warned, this is a very very long post with lots of pictures!

Just in case you are interested in the other events from Nathan and Ayu’s wedding, here are the links to it:
Berlulut (Portraits) – http://stories.my/nathan-ayu-berlulut
Akad Nikah – http://stories.my/nathan-ayu-akad-nikah

Ayu’s younger sister, getting dressed as the flower girl…One day, this little girl would grow up and soon, she’ll trade her flower girl dress for a beautiful wedding gown too.

Ayu looking ever so gorgeous.

Grace Tan In Malay Weddings, Weddings

Nathan & Ayu: Akad Nikah

Photographers: Grace & Johan, assisted by Weiming

I am still reeling from the excitement of this wedding. From the beautiful akad nikah in the heart of KL to the spectacular beaches of Langkawi, Nathan and Ayu’s wedding was definitely a memorable one. Our relationship started over the phone when Nathan called me months ago to make a booking for their wedding. A year ago, I had photographed Amy and Stuart’s wedding, where Nathan and Ayu were guests. They loved our photos from Amy and Stuart’s wedding, so with a phone call, we were booked for their wedding! Some time after that, I met Nathan and Ayu at their condo in the heart of KL… with the gorgeous view of KLCC from their living room!

They struck me as a very friendly couple. Instantly, I knew that Nathan is a really organized person… because he gave me their wedding program months before the actual wedding day!

Nathan first laid eyes on Ayu on his first day at work in May 2008. He had traveled halfway across the world from UK to work in Malaysia. She was assisting his manager giving the onboarding briefing for new staff. He thought she was gorgeous… but little did he know, that she thought the same of him that day! Months passed by… and their work relationship changed to a more casual one when they started playing futsal together a couple of times. That August, Ayu asked Nathan out casually as he wanted to experience the youth clubbing scene in KL.

The 8th of August 2008 was the starting point of their courtship… and eventually, their love for each other grew deeper and stronger till it led to Nathan’s proposal to Ayu on Valentine’s day 2010 in Krabi.

I have heaps of photos to share from this wedding, so it’ll have to be spread across a few blog posts! The first part is the akad nikah or Muslim solemnization ceremony in KL. By the way, you have to watch their slideshow at the end of this post. The music chosen by Nathan and Ayu works so beautifully with the images!

The groomsmen flew in all the way from UK to attend the wedding. I love how everyone got dressed in the same baju Melayu.

Ayu on the left looking so gorgeous… and Nathan looking smashing too!

Grace Tan In Malay Weddings, Weddings

Along & Nora’s Engagement

Photographer: Johan
Make Up: Khir Khalid
Decorations & Flowers: Flora Etc
Stationery: Emma K

If you ever have been to Whisk Espresso Bar & Bake Shop in Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang, you might have seen Nora before. Or her entire family, for that matter. Nora and her sister Emma are frequently seen at the counter, as the quaint little cafe belongs to their family. It’s really hard work and time consuming running a cafe like this, because they do everything from baking the cakes themselves to serving customers at the shop.

But Nora found time to get herself engaged. And on the wonderful evening of the 10th of October (she told me that she doesn’t like the date 10.10.10… I wonder who selected the engagement date), Nora was engaged to Along.

The engagement ceremony was held in Nora’s beautiful home – I love how the home is lit up with all these candles. As I was in Singapore on the same date photographing someone else, Johan was at Nora’s home taking all the shots you see below.

Grace Tan In Indian + Punjabi Weddings, Weddings

Sri Lankan style wedding: Ganendra & Malini

Photographers: Grace & Andrew C
Ceremony: Kalamandapan Hall, Brickfields
Dinner Reception: Kelab Golf Negara Subang

When I first met Ganendra & Malini for the very first time in my home, they told me that they wanted to hire a photographer who was different – someone who would be able to capture moments and come up with creative shots. They said that they didn’t want a ‘traditional’ photographer for their wedding day. Of course, the difficult part was convincing their slightly more ‘traditional’ families that they are making the right decision. Fast forward to their wedding day and after the slideshow montage had been shown to the family and guests… I was so pleased when Malini’s mum came up to me to say, “Grace, thank you for the wonderful photographs! You managed to capture emotions, not just the event.”

I beamed. :)

Who wouldn’t?

After the event is over, the cake has been eaten, the decorations taken down, all you have are memories and photographs. I am so glad that our photos were able to record the emotions felt by Ganendra & Malini, family and friends on that special day in August.

Introducing… Malini.