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Grace Tan In Chinese Weddings, International, Weddings

Wedding at Quat Quatta, Melbourne: Benny & Esther

I am always really honored whenever a couple decides to fly my team and I to another country to photograph their wedding. It really is a big deal, because it meant that they chose you over every other vendor they found in that city. I was also really excited when I found out their wedding location – a beautiful Victorian mansion named Quat Quatta. I love the classic interior and exteriors! What was special about this wedding were all the loving, detailed planning that Benny and Esther did for their wedding. I love the turquoise colour theme, the Volkswagen Kombi that was so chic, and also how they incorporated their love of coffee into the wedding with a coffee mixing ceremony! Even their wedding ring ‘pillow’ was a unique book!

The dinner decorations at the Sandringham Yacht Club were beautiful with the huge arch above the main table (it had mandarin oranges in it!). We were also blown away at the delicious looking wedding cakes, not one, but three! Thank you, Benny and Esther, for bringing us all the way to Melbourne, Australia. Wishing you years of marriage bliss and may the honeymoon continue years and years from now!

Grace Tan In Casual Portraits, Chinese Weddings, Church Weddings, Family + Children Portraits, Indian + Punjabi Weddings, Malay Weddings, Maternity, Outdoor Weddings, Parties & Events, Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits, Weddings

Getting to know Smurfette, our prized VW Kombi!

Some things just get better with age. They develop character. They become more endearing and turn into a true gem. That is how we like to think of our Kombi. And because she’s so special to us, we’d like you to get to know her a little better too.

She’s in excellent condition considering her age. To keep her looking young we’ve dressed her in bright blue, earning her the name Smurfette! She loves company and is most comfortable with not more than eight friends at a time. She also knows it’s not cool to arrive at a party all sweaty with messed up, wind-blown hair so she ensures you enjoy the ride with an air-conditioning unit fitted in all the right places. She can be a bit loud, but she’ll be the life of the party!

Due to Smurfette’s age, she has her very own driver for all her escapades. We also make sure she’s fueled up so she has the energy to last throughout your event! Even though we know how much she likes to party with new friends, as her guardians, we have set some boundaries for her own safety (and everyone else’s!). For example, she’s not allowed to attend functions beyond 200KM of Kuala Lumpur, much to her chagrin because she’s a real party girl. However, we feel longer journeys take a toll on her and we don’t think you’d appreciate a cranky party pooper.

Limitations aside, Smurfette has already been to quite a few events. She’s been spotted at pre-wedding shoots, ferried brides to their weddings and even played a role in corporate events around town. How’s that for an old grandma like her? She loves meeting new people so if you’d like to get acquainted with her, just get in touch with us. We’d love to set up a date for you.

Need more info about our kombi? Head on here.

Grace Tan In Maternity, Portraits

Rustic Maternity Portraits: Samantha

“To be pregnant is to be vitally alive, thoroughly woman, and distressingly inhabited. Soul and spirit are stretched – along with body – making pregnancy a time of transition, growth, and profound beginnings.”

– Anne Christian Buchanan –

20170205_Maternity_Eu_Jin_Samantha-63 This is one couple I have had the privilege of journeying alongside with them from their pre-wedding session to their wedding, and now maternity session. The road to becoming a parent is really special, exciting, nerve-wracking and challenging, all at the same time. It’s the one thing that will challenge marriages, yet draw couples together, in one unified purpose – to give the best to their children. I am so excited for Eu Jin and Samantha as they embark on this new phase of their lives, this March! (It’s a special month too, cause I was born in March as well!)

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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 Chinese Weddings, Church Weddings, Weddings

An Industrial Rustic Wedding: Min-Yi & Shu Ern

20151226_WEDDING_MINYI_SHUERN_0228 City Harvest is getting increasingly popular as a wedding ceremony location, and I can understand why, with the rustic brick walls and overall industrial look. It was the perfect setting for Min-Yi and Shu Ern’s wedding. Min-Yi looked dashing on his wedding day, with a beret and matching suspenders to complete the look. It was actually my first time at City Harvest and I enjoyed photographing this wedding so much. I love how Shu Ern’s family was just so emotional. I love the little details at the ceremony, including the key words, “Dream, Believe, Smile & Family” that were hung by their friends. And I was ecstatic to discover this random location that made for great photos.

20151226_WEDDING_MINYI_SHUERN_0453 Min-Yi and Shu Ern were secondary school mates but they were not friends at that time. Half a decade after leaving school, their paths crossed again on 26th December 2011.

Shu Ern: I was running at the nearby park in Taman Tun with my friend. I was almost done and about to do one more lap. There’s an intersection in front of the entrance to the park and he had just arrived with a friend. We came from opposite directions and immediately as our eyes met, I did a double take inside. His face reminded me of someone. I was curious and tried to check him out a few more times, but every time I turned to look his way our eyes would meet and I had to turn away to not seem rude. I guess he was trying to check me out too only to find me doing the exact same thing.

I went through my lap all the while wondering what happened to him in those years I’ve not seen him. Finally midway through the jog, we crossed paths and it was then did I actually get a good look. In place of that small, short, kiddy looking boy was a tall, handsome and tanned looking man. As he passed by, he gave me a big smile and my heart just melted.