cinematography

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

Beach Wedding at Westin Langkawi: Jimmy & Wei Miin

He describes himself as a non-stop talker. Totally expressive, definitely funny and as I discovered at the wedding… a good rapper and dancer too! Jimmy was born in Massachusetts, US but moved to Hong Kong in 2006 and Singapore in 2010. Wei Miin, on the other hand, grew up in Malaysia most of her life but moved to Singapore and subsequently to Hong Kong to work.

Wei Miin is the sweetest little thing we have ever met. Her kind and gentle spirit brings such a wonderful balance to the relationship. I had the privilege of doing a short one hour casual engagement shoot with them before the wedding and found out that we had a few friends in common! We had so much fun at this wedding, it was crazy. There was an emotional first look, heartfelt vows, great speeches, superb dancing and crazy people jumping into the pool. You have to watch the video to believe it. I really love the edit for this 10 minute wedding highlight, beautifully done by Chi Yin.

Here’s an excerpt from their website about how they met:

Jimmy met Wei Miin during a random cooking class he decided to take in 2012 while finding interesting stuff to do in Singapore. Wei Miin caught Jimmy’s attention because he thought she was in a group of students who were young university graduates speaking Mandarin to each other (Wei Miin: Jimmy catches everyone’s attention as a class clown).

Jimmy found it interesting to get to know the quiet young woman who was very disciplined in her cooking skills and decided to meet up with her for coffee (Wei Miin: Well… Why not?). Even more intriguing was that Wei Miin’s friends were mostly Christian and he had a lot of “life discussions” with her during their friendship period.

After some encouraging by Wei Miin’s good friend (Liz) and Jimmy, Wei Miin finally decided to go to Alpha course and to church early 2013. What really sparked Jimmy’s interest was Wei Miin’s true desire to find faith in Jesus Christ, and even going to church on Sunday when Jimmy was not there. During those 2 years, there was a growing in faith in their relationship, a short breakup, and a lot of reconciling of cultural and personality differences.

Despite all that, from Jimmy’s point of view Wei Miin helped mold him into a more and more unselfish person, (Wei Miin: Jimmy really helped me to form a deeper relationship with Christ) and Jimmy was attracted to Wei Miin’s ability to listen, to be a gentle comfort in times of stress, encouraging and most importantly, selfless! (Wei Miin: I love Jimmy’s positive attitude towards life and respect his wisdom in tough situations). Jimmy realised that Wei Miin meant more to him than any other human being in the world and proposed on July 5, 2015 (Wei Miin: it was a surprise proposal at Tuscany and I said yes!).

20160116_WEDDING_JIMMY_WEIMINN_0010 Continue Reading

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

Wedding Video Highlight: Stephen & Jen

Stephen and Jen love each other so much, they got married to each other over and over again! They had not one, but 3 ceremonies, with 2 Western ceremonies in the UK and the 3rd one in KL. Stephen who grew up in the UK, thought it would be really different and fun to participate in the Chinese tradition of ‘picking up the bride’. He was such a sport and even donned a Chinese outfit for the wedding (though initially, he lacked the pants that went with it!). Jen loves to laugh, and it was obvious that these two enjoy life and experiencing many different things together.

Watch their wedding video highlight to find out more:

Credits:

Videographers: Stories team (Chi Yin, Delvin, & Nick)
Location & Cake: Prince Hotel, KL
Wedding Gown: Pronovias
Evening Gown: Divine Couture
Groom’s Attire: Aspey
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Make up & Hair: Chufan
Photographer: Sih Han Photography

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

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

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

Wedding Video Highlight: Jack & Krystal

It is not just on the wedding day that the team works really hard to shoot all the events. True, after 10 hours of shoot, most of us welcome the bed (and probably book a massage for the day after!). But the reality is, our work is far from complete. After every wedding, our post-production team works as hard, if not, sometimes, harder to create a masterpiece in the studio.

Having worked in the commercial film and TV industry for 6-7 years in the past, I know what it means to be anal about every single frame that goes into a cut. Fortunately for our clients, (but sometimes unfortunately for my editors), this quality of mine extends to our editing room. Every single video edit is checked and approved by myself before it gets sent to the client, even if I wasn’t there physically at that wedding. I believe that a good edit can ‘make or break’ a video. It’s these little hidden things that usually go unseen.

But in the case of Jack and Krystal, we’re really glad they truly appreciate and understand all the hard work that went into creating their wedding video highlight. We’re so pleased that you love our work! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to document these moments for you.

Jack & Krystal’s Story

We met through mutual friends during our time in Cardiff University in 2008 when we were studying for our Bar exams (which is a post-graduate qualifying course for law graduates). We were course mates first, then friends before we took the final step of becoming a couple. In Law School, we were at the opposite ends of a spectrum. I was hardworking and neurotic about studying and Jack was fun loving and thought I was too bookish.

Through conversations, MSN chats and time spent together, we became friends and Jack developed an interest. I was not ready for a relationship but he earnestly and relentlessly pursued me and in the end, I was moved by his persistence, perseverance and sincerity.

We have been a couple for 4 years and have been through 2 rounds of long distance relationship – once for a period of one year when Jack stayed on to study for his Masters in Law in King’s College, London and another half a year when I was on a work secondment for half a year in Singapore.

As a couple, we have talked briefly about taking our relationship to the next step, but when Jack proposed during a trip home to his hometown in Alor Star, Kedah in the living room of the house he grew up in, I was truly surprised and very touched.

The engagement period and the wedding planning process is an extremely stressful period for any couple, and often this is the period that can make or break a relationship. For us, it was a stressful period, sometimes filled with tensions, tantrums and arguments, but we have always managed to resolve our differences and we have had very few hiccups. This period has forced us to listen, communicate better, find solutions that work and compromise.

We have fallen in love with each other countless times along the way since our first meet in Law School and more importantly, we have also grown in love. Our wedding planning journey has also been filled with many wedding planning breaks which have involved a few weekend trips to spend time together, to ensure that we do not lose sight of the most important part of the wedding and also so that we can return to the planning process with a fresh perspective.

We have had many happy adventures together, but getting married and embarking on a lifetime together will be the greatest and most exciting adventure yet. We cannot wait to spend the rest of our lives together.

Credits:
Videographers: Stories Team – Felicia, Eugene, Nick (day), Salman (night)
Dinner Reception: Intercontinental Hotel, KL
Shoes: White Label by Wedding Isle
Make up & Photography: Lasposa Bridal Gallery
Flowers: Spring Cottage

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

Strong Family Ties: Wedding Video Highlight of Adrian & Carol

It is every parent’s dream that the family stays close together. Not just being physically close, but emotionally bonded. Even after marriage when the children have left the home. I don’t think Adrian and Carol’s parents have anything to worry about in this department. The love and strong family ties they share will guarantee a good relationship that lasts till the next generation.

As photographers and videographers, we always say a silent ‘YES!’ (and mentally high five each other) whenever anyone crying at a wedding. But when both the bride and groom shed a tear, and their parents cry… well, I think that almost deserves a double high five. I guess we just love filming these moments because we know that years from now, they will cherish it as they relive the memories captured on camera.

Their story began years ago when Adrian was completing his studies in Melbourne and Carol was back in Malaysia, working. They didn’t actually know each other then, but Adrian connected with Carol on Facebook through her cousin. After he graduated, he returned to Malaysia and decided to connect with his new found friend, Carol. Many months passed and Adrian fell in love with Carol. He confessed to her one day telling her he liked her, but her response “Thank you!” confused him. After a few days of thinking it through, and going through her boyfriend check-list, Carol decided that she’ll give him a chance.

And so, this year, Adrian and Carol were married at DUMC. Their wedding dinner was held at Doubletree by Hilton with lots of song and dance! Enjoy their wedding video highlight!

Credits:
Videographers: Delvin, Jay & Felicia
Church Ceremony: DUMC
Dinner Reception: Doubletree by Hilton
Make up & Hair: Rynee Tan
Photographer: Jim Liaw
Decorations: Wishing Tree
Dinner Entertainment: Beevers