KIM did one thing that no client of mine had done before: he thanked me in his wedding speech. Well, he thanked a whole lot of other people too. He told me later that he was overwhelmed with emotion and grateful to everyone who had a part in their garden wedding.

I’m accustomed to the fact that wedding photographers are the nameless and faceless ones working and lurking in the background of your wedding, only to rise in importance when you anxiously await the outcome of your wedding photos. So to hear my name was a pleasant surprise. Thanks Kim.

Wedding date: Saturday, 16 April 2011
Venue: Graze, Rochester Park, Singapore
Hair & makeup: T.G. Goh
Solemniser: Prof Yu Shi Ming, PBM

Congratulations Kim & Angeline!

Related posts:

1. Eric & Angeline

MEET Candi, the spunky and sassy brains behind Mazzario – The Cheongsam Shop. I first knew of Candi when I came across her clever convertible cheongsam dress at Thomas & Eileen’s wedding. Little did I know that she would tie the knot herself some two years later.

My first question to Candi was: “What’s with the Mazzario by Mimi name at your Centrepoint shop?”. She explained that Mimi is her mother and that Mazzario isn’t some silent, handsome type lurking about but the label that her mother used when she used to import daring Italian designs of the 1980s.

With her feet firmly planted in the family business — despite her denials! — Candi steered the creative direction to cheongsams in a nod to her grandmother’s Shanghainese heritage. Hence Mazzario – The Cheongsam Shop was born. Check out her spanking new Wheelock Place flagship store at #03-06.

Alert readers will notice Candi’s denim dress and another done in an ethnic Chinese pattern. She’s not one to do things in a conventional manner!

Wedding date: Sunday, 3 April 2011
Outfits: Mazzario – The Cheongsam Shop
Venue: Min Jiang, One-North, Rochester Park, Singapore

Congratulations Y.S. and Candi!

Related posts:

1. Thomas & Eileen
2. Ben & Carrie

KW and Cheryl turned up for their wedding day at One Rochester minus three of their cheeky dogs from their pre-wedding shoot. It’s always interesting to revisit a place and see how it changes with every couple and at different times of the day. One Rochester has to be one of the most popular ROM and wedding venues in my book and deservedly so — the service, decor and food are top notch.

Wedding date: Sunday, 22 August 2010
Lunch: One Rochester, Rochester Park

Minutes before Cheryl’s march-in.

I can tell which ones are your favorite aunts.

Congratulations KW & Cheryl!

Related posts:

1. X.M. & Cheryl
2. Julian & Cheryl
3. Jeff & Mol

JEFF and Mol’s ROM dinner was the other booking I had on Monday, 5 July 2010 — an auspicious date by the looks of it. And coincidently I met Dr Phua the solemniser again who had attended Ken & Elaine’s wedding lunch earlier in the day with me.

One Rochester is a challenging place for wedding photography as the outdoor areas are dimly lit or not at all. And their ROM took place in the fast fading light at sunset. All of the following photos were taken without ugly camera flash.

Wedding date: Monday, 5 July 2010
Venue: One Rochester, Rochester Park, Singapore
Solemniser: Dr Phua Tan Tee, PBM

That’s not my hand. I make it a rule not to set-up or interact with my subjects, taking only what I see.

Lovely Mol, all radiant and resplendent.

All for One and One for All. Jeff’s best friends cheer him on.
This was a you-better-grab-it-or-miss-it moment.

Few words can truly describe a bride’s joy.

Almost.

Best Friend Forever. Watch that fork!

It would take a day to eat one of those letters.

Embracing a new brother-in-law.

Congratulations Jeff & Mol! And enjoy your new home in the U.K. for now, half-way around the world.

Related posts:

1. Ben & Carrie
2. Luke & Nat
3. Emmanuel & Susan

As you know December is always a great time for weddings in Singapore. The weather is kinder and cooler plus you get the venue’s Christmas lights and decor as an added bonus. Most importantly everyone’s in a festive mood and you only need a little nudge to make a simple celebration absolutely spectacular.

Ben & Carrie are a globe-trotting, fun-loving pair of international school teachers with a mission. Away from the hectic pace of the school term they selflessly devote their efforts to various causes in Cambodia. Carrie’s dress was made from silk purchased there and they sourced some pretty nifty wedding favours in the shape of balancing dragonfly toys.

Regular readers will know that I enjoy wedding receptions very much. And their wedding, with lots of emotional currents running through it, was no exception. At times I felt that I was transformed from a mere wedding photographer carrying heavy, expensive cameras to someone with a greater duty to collect all the emotions and moments happening out there!

Wedding date: Saturday, 12 December 2009
Venue: One Rochester, Rochester Park
Dress: Custom made
Solemniser: Ms Tang I Sha, Isabel

Only Carrie could pull this off so effortlessly. Pairing white Havaianas with her wedding dress for cool, casual Summer chic.

Welcoming dad. An incredible number of family & friends flew in from Melbourne, Australia.

A congratulatory hug from Ben’s dad.

Even Carrie’s mum managed a hug here!

Ouch. Sorry!

This little girl stood in front of a floor fan, a la Marilyn Monroe.

L-O-V-E.

Congratulations Ben & Carrie! Your wedding, pared down to the essentials, was about celebrating with your nearest and dearest in the magical ambience of Rochester Park.

Related posts:

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

Wedding date: Saturday, 8 August 2009
Lunch venue: One Rochester, Rochester Park
Wedding gown: Margaret Brides

In keeping with the East-West theme, Luke & Nat fused elements of a traditional Malay wedding together with a charming colonial bungalow venue.

Nat is blessed with an envy-inducing height, fine porcelain skin and those eyes…

There must be another story about these two ducks at their wedding.

The heavy, three-tiered wedding cake and cupcakes in their wedding theme colour of Tiffany robin’s egg blue.

Luke’s brother spends a quiet moment with his newborn baby.

The vibrant, bright colours of a traditional Malay wedding.

And their wedding car rolls in (sorry couldn’t resist the pun!). Probably the only way of getting a true vintage wedding car in Singapore, courtesy of the Fullerton Hotel. This car is a real beauty and is handmade like the days of old.

Song, dance, music. It was a joy to watch the young performers.

When Nat’s Best Friends Forever all lined up to watch, I just had to take this one!

When greeting elders this sign of humility and respect is very touching.

Nat laughed when she saw this photo. Her dad isn’t such a serious guy.

Then it was off upstairs to change into their Western wedding attire.

Nat chose an elegant and chic birdcage veil. Doesn’t it evoke images of another age in film and movies?

Luke consoles his mother who now has two sons living in Singapore. Despite the distance between Holland and Singapore they do get to see each other many times during the year.

Nat thought of everything with her wedding favours and gift packs. She got these bubbles in the shape of small wedding cakes. You twist the top and — voila — a bubble blower.

Nat’s cutie-pie niece and nephew try their hand at blowing bubbles too.

Luke’s uncle from Holland is a real sporting fellow. He gave a heartwarming speech and then joined in the song and dance.

Luke’s parents enjoy a slow dance together…

…before the Top 40 hits kick in.

One thing I enjoy doing is taking portraits without the person knowing. This way I get genuine emotions and not forced smiles.

Best friend. Forever.

“…”

The Spirit of Ecstasy on the Rolls Royce thunders through the air while it whisks Luke and Nat back to the Fullerton Hotel.

Congratulations Luke & Nat and a happy Hari Raya long weekend to all!

No related posts.

Date: 4 July 2009
Venue: Graze, Rochester Park
Solemniser: Mr Ong Liang Peng

Rochester Park is a little slice of greenery just minutes away from one-north.

We had the whole bungalow at Graze to ourselves. All of the restaurants in Rochester Park are closed for lunch on Saturdays unless you have an event booked.

Emmanuel really got into the spirit of things and took over the bar at Graze.

Diamonds aren’t just for the ladies.

The entire restaurant was our playground before their ROM: indoors, outdoors, upstairs, downstairs.

We played hide and seek.

Graze is like walking into someone’s impeccably furnished (and well stocked!) retro home.

There were nooks and crannies to explore with not a single customer to disturb us or to disturb.

Friends and guests arrived, cameras and all.

I was impressed with how Emmanuel came with envelopes and bags for specific things. He even tied their matching rings!

Graze had a shady bamboo grove in the corner that’s simply ideal for ROMs. The gentle bamboo provided a much needed green canopy in the midday sun.

Mr Ong is the youngest solemniser I’ve seen. He provided light-hearted humour in this otherwise formal and serious occasion.

Susan lights up in anticipation.

I spent a couple of hours with them and I know they’re just perfect for each other.

Their favorite song, Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours plays on cue. A catchy tune for this tropical-colonial setting!

Then it was off to a celebratory lunch indoors.

Susan’s parents flew all the way from Liaoning, China.

A majestic long table like the days of old…

…with Emmanuel and Susan seated at one end.

They steal a glance at each other during lunch.

I was very impressed by the black t-shirt clad staff at Graze. Everything went smoothly and they worked tirelessly in the background. I have no business dealings with Graze but you know how hard it is to find genuine, professional service in Singapore.

No related posts.