ceremony

Grace Tan In Church Weddings, Indian + Punjabi Weddings, Weddings

Zion Lutheran Church Wedding: Anthony & Karen

It’s really an honour when I am asked to photograph the wedding of a sibling I had also been a part of. Six years ago, I photographed Karen’s brother’s wedding at the very same church. It was so lovely to meet everyone again. The same warm family that makes you feel as if you are part of them! Karen and Anthony’s wedding had a gorgeous orange theme. I loved how they infused Indian motives into Anthony’s cravat and also created a modern version of the saree as the wedding gown! Aside from the wedding itself, I love the story of how Anthony and Karen met. It can be made into the plot of a romance movie!

20160730-WEDDING_ANTHONY_KAREN-34 Their Story as told by Karen
I am a surgeon in Ireland and we met when i was a really junior trainee surgeon. I had done a weekend (3 nights) of call in a row and unfortunately had my wallet stolen from the doctors room earlier that Monday (16th June 2008) just when I was finishing my shift. I got in to the car to drive home with no money and a dead phone. I fell asleep while driving on the highway and had a bad crash with 2 cars. I walked to the closest place to make a call, and called the insurance company who in turn called rescue services.

Anthony arrived in uniform to check me out and assess the damages. We got to talking and I told him about my unfortunate day. He offered to loan me money to get me home and I in turn promised to return the money. I texted him about a week later and we met but we were talking so much I never returned the cash. We then had many meetings as friends where we took his chocolate labrador Archie for walks in the national park. We eventually started officially dating in July and the rest is history. I never actually returned the money.

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Grace Tan In Outdoor Weddings, Weddings

Rustic Datai Langkawi wedding: Graham & Elaine

Two architects with an eye for detail and the love of the outdoors found their perfect location to celebrate their union – on the beach at the Datai, Langkawi. Graham grew up in Scotland, and that was where he met this cute, Malaysian-born girl named Elaine. With such a deep attraction to life off the grid, Graham and Elaine chose to live in Nova Scotia, Canada (google it, the location looks totally AMAZING!). It boasts a totally magical natural landscape, and they own a house in the forest overlooking the cove to the south and the Atlantic ocean to the east. Photovoltaic panels power their house with electricity, and they use wood for heat and water from a well. Their neighbours include birds, squirrels, porcupine, loons, ducks, deer and mink.

What a lifestyle that is so connected to nature. I love the thought of it, though I don’t think I am personally able to live like that!

20160227-WEDDING_GRAHAM_ELAINE-01 Graham and Elaine’s wedding was the perfect blend of Scottish tradition meeting Malaysian flavours. Even her wedding gown had elements of the Scottish kilt and the top of her gown had Indian elements, representing Elaine’s heritage. The colours green and purple are their favourites and they have incorporated them into their attire and wherever possible. Elaine’s mother crocheted the sole-less sandals for the bride and her bridesmaids and the whole look with the decorations were so rustic, organic and natural.

At the wedding reception, they shared stories of places they have been to and things they have done through story cards displayed on each table. So many intricate details that are simple, minimal and thoughtful.

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

Akad Nikah: Amir & Halina

This couple seems to be complete opposites – he is an extrovert, loves the outdoors, enjoying time with friends, and taking photos. She, on the other hand, prefers to cuddle up at home reading a book or watching light hearted romantic comedies. A bit like a yin and yang, seemingly opposite in some ways, but still sharing and holding the same principal values that are important to them namely family and friends.

The fact that they are opposites is what makes the relationship work. They make sure each other is grounded or at times flying high. They balance each other’s extremes well, be it work, or leisure. Each personality trait complements the other, and it only brings out best of each other.

We love how their personalities really shone through in this wedding, and how relaxed Amir looked as he said his vows (though we’re pretty sure he must have been nervous!). The pantun exchange was a really nice touch, and we love the candid moments caught on video. Watch their highlights here!

The first time they met…

Halina: I did not realise it was a set up till months later, but Amir realised what was happening as our common friend kept nudging him to find out about what he thought of me. We only met up a couple months’ later, at a friend’s birthday event. The next day, he messaged me to ask about my New Year eve’s plans. I was surprised as to how he had my number, only to later realise that our common friend passed him my number without telling/asking me first! He invited me to meet with a group of friends for New Years eve, which i declined. However, at the last minute, i attended it in the end. That started the ball rolling and we had our “First” date on 1 January 2013. And here we are now :) .

Amir – I didn’t know it was a set up either, but got the hint during the course of dinner. I wasn’t really sure at first what I needed to do and since she was travelling for work a lot, it didn’t cross my mind to immediately ask her out. It was at a second meeting that I told her friends I’d be interested to date her. And they helped out during the NYE party at the friends house. It was till a few months later that we decided to seriously date, but we both had some hectic work schedules at the time. Our first movie date was “Oz the Great and Powerful”.
Though we don’t necessarily share a similar taste for music and movies all the time, but we both give each other our space and enjoy it doing things together.

Credits:
Videographers: The Stories Team (Chi Yin, Delvin, Nick)
Dinner Reception: KL Hilton
Wedding Gown: White and Lacy
Evening Gown: Amata Wedding Studio
Make up & hair: Jasmine Yoong
Shoes: Lewre and Nine West
Photographers: Funky Dali
Dinner Entertainment: Mosaic Entertainment
Wedding Planners: Sherly of Tie the Knot

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

Wedding at Le Meredien: Ken & Regina

A KL boy met this cute, dimply Malaccan girl in Sibu, Sarawak. Even though they both furthered their studies in the UK, their paths only crossed when they were sent by their respective employers for a work assignment in Sibu, Sarawak. By chance, Regina was assigned to the job halfway as a replacement for her colleague that left the firm. Perhaps it was God’s plan that it happened that way. So, what happens when you put an investment banker and a lawyer together? It’s either they get along or start blaming each other when things don’t go their way! Good thing for them, they got along, and their chats over dinners and suppers became the basis of a good relationship.

Regina’s initial impression of Ken:
(At work) – Looks unfriendly…didn’t even give me his name card! But dedicated to his work and one that is reliable as he is always helpful
(Out of work) – Always full of surprises and he never fails in any of his surprises for me! somewhat romantic, very caring and thoughtful, a family man. Definitely, meticulous!

Ken’s initial impression on Regina:
Cute and always cheerful (with the dimples), friendly and a good companion as she loves to talk and talk and talk…”you will never get bored even if you get stuck in the lift with her!”. Definitely can’t “drink” at all – 1 shot of whiskey and she starts puking (…in my car)

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

Wedding at St Andrew’s Church: Matthew & Cheng

Matthew and Cheng met on their first day of college. Coincidentally, they both did not really like each other very much: to Irene, Matt looked like the typical playboy with long spiky hair; to Matt, Irene was this quiet studious overachiever person. This changed after getting to know each other over the years especially when they enrolled in the same university (IMU- Medicine).

Since they organised a lot of university events together, the draw and attraction towards each other became mutual. After IMU, they left for the UK together (Irene in Aberdeen, Scotland; Matt in Nottingham, England). Those long, never-ending 7-9 hours train rides from one place to another (simply because they couldn’t afford flights) were painful and yet memorable.

It was at South France just before coming back to work in Singapore where Matt got down on one knee and popped the question (on top of Baux-de-provence). To make it even more enchanting, a passerby shouted ‘Brava-brava!’. So simple and private yet special and memorable – and the rest is history.

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