LOVE has a funny way of landing right on your lap when you least expect it. Just ask David and Vanessa. David would have never discovered Singapore if the theft of his belongings hadn’t rudely interrupted his backpacking tour of South America. He escaped only with his t-shirt and shorts. Vanessa would have never spied a tall, slim, athletic fellow waiting at the kerbside for a taxi if not for a mutual friend’s barbeque party earlier that evening.

Their eyes met, and then locked on, as he politely offered her the first taxi that he had flagged down:
“East Coast? Yeah, I’m heading home there too. Shall we share a cab?” he suggested in his Southern Californian drawl.

The rest is history as their dates and tennis matches cumulated into their dream wedding at the stately Raffles Hotel.

Wedding date: Saturday, 16 October 2010
Wedding gown and veil: La Sposa, Barcelona
Kwa: Koon Nam Wah, Hong Kong
Church: Church of The Holy Family
Dinner: The Ballroom, Raffles Hotel, Singapore
Videography: A Cinematic Story.

Crimson nails. Mantilla veil. Scarlet Ferragamo heels. Vanessa carried her wedding ensemble with ease.

What’s running through Vanessa’s mind?
A bride’s journey to church is one of the most touching and private moments in her day.

“Take care of her.”

Her graceful Peranakan godmother.

Strictly ballroom.

Congratulations David and Vanessa!

Related posts:

1. J.B. & Tresia
2. Amit & Meena

I was told that Meena resembled a certain Bollywood actress. Well, she and handsome Amit certainly drew stares and clicks from camera-toting tourists when they confidently strode through the lobby of the Raffles Hotel. Curious onlookers stopped outside the East India Rooms as the explosion of colours and songs assaulted their senses.

It must have been a good day for the residents of the hotel. Singapore’s rich and varied cultures leapt out of their Lonely Planet/Frommer’s/Fodor’s guidebooks and played before their very eyes.

ROM date: 17 & 20 February 2010
Venue: East India Rooms, Raffles Hotel
Hair & makeup: Fionna Lau

Their thoroughly spoilted Schnauzer enjoyed a prata breakfast.

Their cheeky cousins added much fun and laughter.

My favorite moment from the day.

Meena’s dad was tickled by the Elvis impersonator extraordinaire.

And for some portraits from their ROM.

Congratulations Amit & Meena! You make a tall and dashing pair!

Related posts:

1. J.B. & Tresia
2. X.M. & Cheryl

Tresia harbours dreams of becoming a fashion designer. And there was no better way to showcase her work than on her wedding day when she designed her own wedding gown and dress.

She also told me that her whole family, mum and dad included, were professional photographers. I thought she was kidding. She wasn’t. They own a long-running camera business back in Jakarta.

Wedding date: Saturday, 23 January 2010
Venue: Presidential Suite, Mandarin Orchard
Lunch: Royal China, Raffles Hotel
Wedding dress: Bride’s own design

An opportunity to take a peek into the rarefied air of a newly renovated suite. I can say that it’s basically a mansion in the sky.

The gatecrashing went on discreetly in the hotel’s corridor.

A mother’s farewell.

Giving the couple an auspicious start.

Then it was a quick change into the other dress that Tresia designed for her wedding luncheon.

Don’t you just love the groovy, retro tiles?

Coincidently Tresia bumped into a dear friend getting married at the Mandarin Orchard too.

And it was off to Royal China at Raffles Hotel for lunch.

Congratulations J.B. and Tresia!

Related posts:

1. M.C. & L.N.
2. Bryan & Grace II