AND now let the posts of 2011 couples begin. There’s plenty to look forward to this year. Lots of diversity and couples from around the region and the world. All this makes for unique and original weddings that I’ve attended in the past six months.

Ernest and Elise showed tremendous enthusiasm for their pre-wedding shoot. Their custom wedding bands weren’t ready yet but that didn’t stop them from borrowing a pair from the jewellers. And they must have spent countless hours shopping for the right outfits.

Here are some highlights from their whimsical, sunny afternoon with me.

Do look out for their ROM later this year.

Related posts:

1. Alvin & Jessica’s Pre-wedding
2. Dennis & Sara’s Pre-wedding
3. Shawn & Nita’s Pre-wedding

I dealt with no less than five subjects during K.W. & Cheryl’s pre-wedding shoot: the groom, the bride, and three of their cheeky dogs. We started in their hip designer apartment — that could easily be at home in Roppongi, Tokyo — before moving on to East Coast Park despite the threatening dark clouds.

Their dogs took a liking to my cameras.

The weather didn’t dampen our enthusiasm, though we did have to stop for a while!

Congratulations K.W. & Cheryl! Do look out for their Actual Day at One Rochester later this year.

Related posts:

1. X.M. & Cheryl

I’m becoming such a regular fixture at One Rochester and 1 Twenty Six that the One Rochester Group asked me if they could feature my photos in their revamped wedding web site. Do look out for it!

With a spin on her toes and a twinkle in her eyes, Cheryl was the perfect picture of an elated bride at her ROM. Her brother presented her with a surprise gift of a top notch videographer for the day. What a sweetie!

ROM date: Sunday, 10 January 2010
Venue: 1 Twenty Six, East Coast Park
Solemniser: Mr Willie Cheng

Bubbles + Fan = Fun

Ring show-and-tell time.

Congratulations X.M. and Cheryl. Best wishes for your big day!

Related posts:

1. J.A. & S.L.
2. Luke & Nat
3. Emmanuel & Susan

I have a lot of popular occupational pairings among my couples. Pairs of teachers. Pairs of doctors. In fact almost all of my brides are teachers in every form – primary, secondary, international and special needs.

H & H are a sweet pair of young doctors who are head over heels in love, just like the very first time their eyes met in medical school. They came well prepared: balloons, t-shirts and soft toys. I had no idea when I picked them up for their shoot! I’ll be covering their actual day too later this month.

Location: Fort Canning and East Coast Park
Hair & makeup: Miranda Wang

After weeks of wet weather (remember the Bukit Timah floods?) we met with sunny — and windy — conditions. Their balloons behaved like an unruly pet.

H had the tough task of keeping his arm in the air.

I tied the balloons to the bouquet while we explored Fort Canning’s lawns.

Unfortunately the balloons had plans of their own. They unraveled themselves from the bouquet and were quickly whisked into the blue skies.

Thankfully we made good use of the balloons as props and it was time to move on to East Coast Park.

I had a great workout running alongside them.

The gentle sunset capped off a lovely afternoon I spent with them.

Congratulations, both of you make a real dynamic duo!

Related posts:

1. Alex & Marie
2. Alex & Marie
3. Wilbert & Poh Ling

Date: Friday, 17 July 2009
Venue: 1 Twenty Six, East Coast Park
Solemniser: Mrs Chia Swee Tin, PBM, JP

1 Twenty Six is a cosy collection of sheltered pavilions in a lush garden and water setting.

After a complimentary drink (of the non-alcoholic kind!) we went for a walk at the beach and nearby jetty.

S.L.’s toga-inspired top.

One of my favorites. Free-spirited and full of grace.

J.A. and S.L. drew envious stares from cyclists and runners at East Coast Park. But clearly in love, they were oblivious to all the attention.

We found an old, gnarly tree outside the restaurant that served as a convenient chair for J.A..

Very soon friends and family arrived.

J.A. showed much affection for his frail grandmother.

J.A.’s niece was asked to be the flower girl but she was kind of shy…

…so the restaurant manager’s daughter happily took on the role as the flower girl!

S.L. takes the first step to her ROM. That’s the capable restaurant manager in black behind her. She took personal care of them and her sincerity and dedication impressed me. “Well, that’s her job” you might say. In Singapore, however, decent service can be an alien concept. The manager was clearly proud and grateful to host their ROM.

Mrs Chia’s warm energy and humour touched everyone around her.

Mrs Chia is the most impressive English solemniser I’ve heard so far. I couldn’t help but listen to her lyrical prose and confident delivery while I went about my work. She clearly has complete mastery of expression and communication.

And it was all over in 12 minutes flat!

An excellent choice of Pol Roger Champagne by the groom. Not a common label but enjoyed by people in the know.

I read that Mrs Chia is a family mediator by day and that grateful couples send Thank You cards to her on their wedding anniversaries. She gives S.L. a teary hug before leaving.

Gotcha!

Now for a real drink at the bar before their dinner.

East Coast Park takes on a serene, peaceful glow in the evening before the hordes of campers and rollerbladers descend on it tomorrow.

And that was their ROM at 1 Twenty Six.

Look out for another couple’s actual day at the sister restaurant, One Rochester, to be posted next month!

No related posts.

Marie and Alex met at East Coast Park while rollerblading. They won’t say who made the first move!

Unfortunately Marie had a hard fall while going too fast. Thankfully Alex was quick to tend to her grazed palm.

In hindsight this was a very dangerous thing to do. Not the kissing but looking into the sun.

Look out for Alex & Marie’s actual day this September.

No related posts.