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Catholic Wedding in Brunei: Ben & Michelle

“Ben is probably the most kind and caring person that I have met. He is such a softie that he often feeds strays on the roads or on our travels with our food packed in our bags and will go to great lengths to make sure they are doing ok before we leave.” – Michelle about Ben –

“Michelle is a great storyteller and always recounts her experiences in great detail to anyone who would listen! She is quite acute to people’s emotions and feelings often anticipating what they need and acting on it . She’s content with spending evenings in with a good movie or a good book and  often cries too easily during soppy parts  and hates horror movies (no zombies for her!).” – Ben about Michelle –

20150125_WEDDING_BEN_MICHELLE_01 20150125_WEDDING_BEN_MICHELLE_02Two high school sweethearts

They were quintessentially your typical high school sweethearts. Having grown up in rival schools (Michelle from Catholic school and Ben from the Chinese school next door), they grew closer through participation in church youth activities and ever since Secondary 3, Michelle has had a crush on Ben! Perhaps it was a guy thing, but Ben was totally oblivious to her feelings! :) She  always thought Ben was a pretty cool guy, with an amazing smile and very funny personality.

So for 13 long years, they went through a couple of rough patches as they dated. For 3 years, they went through a long distance relationship (UK & Australia) during their university days. The reality is that, when you date for so long, break ups are bound to happen. They went through 2 heartbreaking years of an ‘on and off’ relationship, but in 2011, felt a real renewed commitment and resurgence in their relationship with both of them working through their individual issues and ultimately coming back together to bring out the best in each other.

20150125_WEDDING_BEN_MICHELLE_03 Continue Reading

Nikah at Carcosa Seri Negara: Stephen & Dayana

20150123_WEDDING_STEVE_DAYANA_32He keeps tarantulas and poison dart frogs as pets. He enjoys camping, regardless of the weather and loves everything about nature. If Steve could choose, he’d probably say that he’d feel comfortable living in a jungle. She however, balks at outdoor activities. Though she did try once to climb Ben Nevis in Scotland but froze when she saw the steep cliffs. That was the start and end of her outdoor days. She has not left the sofa since.

Despite their differences in personality and culture, they have managed to make things work. And that is the beauty of Stephen and Dayana’s relationship.

20150123_WEDDING_STEVE_DAYANA_27Their History

Dayana: Steve and I have been together for six years. We met at the University of Manchester, when we both studied for our Ph.Ds. Steve was at the beginning of his final year, meanwhile I had just started my first year. It wasn’t love at first sight, but I could feel the attraction. I honestly thought he fancied someone else then. But the endless teasing from my colleagues made me wonder. It turned out everyone in our office knew that he liked me. And that’s where it all began — at the School of Chemistry!

We were together for about a year before Steve had to move over 200 miles away for a new job. We weren’t sure if a long distance relationship could work, but decided to give us a chance. We saw each other twice a month, but we made sure to speak on the phone every night. It wasn’t easy. That went on for nearly a year and half. Like any other relationships, we’ve had our ups and downs. We haven’t been together for a lifetime (yet), but it has been the most fulfilling and challenging relationship of our lives. Along the way, we’ve learned to compromise and to respect both of our cultures.

20150123_WEDDING_STEVE_DAYANA_0120150123_WEDDING_STEVE_DAYANA_02

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Church Wedding, Luther Centre: Siu Fai & Chia Wen

20141220_WEDDING_SIUFAI_CHIAWEN_073420141220_WEDDING_SIUFAI_CHIAWEN_0597Just recently, Siu Fai and Chia Wen celebrated the 100th day since they were wed. It was so lovely to see on Siu Fai’s Facebook page this note to his dear wife Chia Wen.

A hundred days from the day, dear Wen,
Everyday as blissful as we felt back then,
I promise my promise to you is true, 
A commitment to love, just me and you.

“Matrimony came from paradise, and leads to it. I never was half so happy before I was a married man as I am now. When you are married, your bliss begins. Let the husband love his wife as he loves himself, and a little better, for she is his better half. He should feel,”If there’s only one good wife in the whole world, I’ve got her.” – Charles Spurgeon

Though the wedding happened some time back, it felt fresh in my mind, as if it were just a few weeks ago. I feel privileged to have been given the honour to photograph this wonderful couple alongside my photographer sidekick, Jamie.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting this couple know that they are dynamic, passionate about the things of God, love people and through their actions, put their love into practice. As church leaders in DUMC, their lives have made such an impact to many around them. Just look at the number of people who attended their church wedding!

 

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Garden Wedding at Saujana: Si Howe & Joanne

20141220_WEDDING_SIHOWE_JOANNE_322I must say, Si Howe and Joanne’s description of each other beats anything I have ever read before!

Si Howe:
Si Howe is loud, Joanne is quiet.
We are both from Ipoh. Yeay!
Si Howe loves to eat, Joanne eats mainly to survive. She is learning to enjoy a larger variety of food.
Joanne loves sleepy weekends spent in the house.
Joanne shops for therapy.
Both father’s are known as KH. So KH’s son married KH’s daughter.
Si Howe always the youngest suddenly has 3 younger siblings (in law).
Joanne always the eldest suddenly has 2 older siblings and one niece. (in law).

Joanne:

Si Howe is gregarious and loves being at the centre of attention. Joanne likes watching by the sidelines.
Si Howe enjoys watching sports on TV and Joanne like reality TV shows (erm.. like the Kardashians. Hehe)
Si Howe has good motor skills and loves competitive sports. Joanne has very bad hand eye coordination and cannot play a sport to save her life. Hence, she does yoga.
Si Howe observes the details. Joanne is a daydreamer and gets lost in her own thoughts…
Si Howe loves cars! Joanne just needs a working air con and a radio.
Si Howe is a tech geek and has a 3G watch, Bluetooth headset, Microsoft surface, etc. Joanne has never downloaded an MP3 in her life. (though Si Howe claims that he is not ENTIRELY a tech geek – he does listen to LP’s on a record player!)

20141220_WEDDING_SIHOWE_JOANNE_002You might have seen Si Howe and Joanne’s Ipoh wedding photos before, so here’s the promised blog post about their other wedding ceremony – the garden exchange of vows at Saujana. This time, the event was photographed by Nigel and Ben. It was very much an emotional ceremony for all.  Continue Reading

Church Wedding Video Highlight: Oleg & Stephanie

Oleg and Stephanie’s Story

We first crossed paths several years ago at an airport overseas while we were on very different journeys in our lives. At that time, I was facing a particularly challenging time in my life. I was in between jobs and feeling rather hopeless about love. We talked a little and exchanged details.

Oleg was very persistent in getting to know me. He sent me emails often, skyped me several times and eventually we started to speak over the phone. He was trying to convince me that a long distance relationship will work if two people really love each other.

During Christmas of 2012, I could not go home to KL. I was very disappointed. Oleg completely surprised me by showing up in Melbourne. It was during this time that we really got to know each other. We went on our first trip together to Sydney and had an awesome Christmas together. It was such an amazing trip. We spent 3 weeks together, and each time Oleg and I went somewhere romantic, he would whisper into my ear “please be mine”. At the end of that trip, my answer was “yes”.

It was quite challenging moving forward as we loved across miles. Oleg was based in Hawaii and I in Melbourne. We travelled back and forth every couple of months to see each other.

In the winter of 2013, Oleg came to visit me in Melbourne. He was insistent that we take a little trip somewhere. I organized a short weekend gateway to Phillip Island. We were really hoping to make it in time to see the penguins, but unfortunately, while driving there, I had to attend to an urgent work call. There we were, pulled up on the side of the highway while I attended to work. Oleg was so furious that my work had disrupted our little trip and that I even allowed myself to be on call (truth be told, I completely forgot that I was on call that weekend). Little did I realize that I had spoilt his proposal plans. Anyway, we finally reached our destination and he organized for a romantic dinner and towards the end of the evening, he popped the question.

Our relationship has been anything but convenient. But, never once did we feel that this is not worth it. He is my best friend and my true love (Oleg says: She is an amazing woman, my best friend and marrying her is the best thing I have ever done!)

About the Video

Dear Stories team, Thank you for putting together a beautiful video for Oleg and I. We are extremely happy with the final cut. Watching the video brought so many memories back.. at the end of the day, memories are all we have. Thank you for being part of ours.

From Us

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be involved in your special day! We are really happy that everything went well for the both of you on that day. Wishing you a wonderful married life together!

Credits:
Videographers: Stories Team (Nick, Delvin, Chi Yin)
Church Ceremony: Our Lady of Lourdes, Klang 
Dinner Reception: Sheraton Imperial Hotel, KL
Wedding Planner: Mun Tzin of Milestones
Wedding Gown: Vasiliki Couture, Melbourne
Evening Gown: J’adore, Melbourne
Groom’s Attire: Hugo Boss
Shoes: Shoes of Prey
Photography: Anna-Rina
Make up & Hair: Carmen Ng (morning) and Mabel Toh (evening)
Decorations & Flowers: Wishing Tree
Stationery: Etsy and friends
Cake: Diana Machado
Dinner Entertainment: Small Stones