Like all Peranakan families my grandmother and great-grandmother were matriarchs of the house. They were strong, formidable women with booming voices. Like generals their decisions were absolute and they demanded — and received — our respect. Sadly, my great-aunt is one of the few remaining true-blue nyonyas left, frail and with Coke-bottle glasses. When I was young she gave out tubs of handmade pineapple tarts for Chinese New Year. She wove a thin pastry lattice on each tart and they were baked to perfection with a crispy egg wash. Truly a labour of love.
If Marcus & Tangie’s heartfelt wedding is anything to go by, then they have a truly blissful married life ahead. I saw from their home videos that he planned surprises at every stage of their relationship, right from the proposal on her birthday and up to the wedding dinner itself. I’m sure there will be more pleasant surprises ahead!
Peranakan weddings are truly a joy to attend. While full, traditional Peranakan weddings are a rarity now, the sight of colourful kebayas means it’s not your typical wedding day in Singapore. And it helped that a certain well-received television series revived interest in the Straits Chinese.
Wedding date: Saturday, 3 April 2010
Venue: Conrad Centennial Hotel, Singapore
Bridal boutique: Julia Wedding News
Videography: Zephyrgraphy
“When I grow up…”
This little boy went to sleep.
The lovely nyonya.
My signature kid-staring-into-the-camera from every wedding.
Marcus & Tangie paid tribute to their loyal amahs who brought them up.
Marcus sprang a surprise on Tangie — and me — by marching on stage with his merry brothers to sing L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole. Her face says it all.
“What the…”
Congratulations Marcus & Tangie!
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Thank you soo much for the loveLy photos!
You’ve made our wedding complete with all the beautiful memories captured in the photos!