The Love Story
Honestly, we were kind of set-up by my buddies. When Joanne was at an audio workshop, my ‘buddies’ who were there check her out for me and decided that she was the kind of girl I like. The lady boss of that workshop introduced us via SMS. Soon, the first date was arranged. Initially the date was supposedly to be a group dinner but it turned out that only Joanne and I were the attendees. After that, the rest was history!

At what point did you realize you were in love?
There was no exact date or moment to define the feeling we have for one another as things just happened naturally. Everything just fell into place! Guess you can say that the moon and the stars aligned and fate brought us together as a loving couple.

How did you know that she/he is ‘The One’?
Joanne: There is no rocket science to this. You just know when the time comes and that you have found that special someone whom you will spend the rest of your life with!

Reuben: I guess it’s because she fits the best ideal girl picture in my mind. We share similar hobbies and interests with much aligned thinking and opinions. But of course we do sometimes agree to disagree on things we do not look at the same way. I spend most of my time away in Singapore as I work there and Joanne is able to accept it. She is someone who is open minded and understands the airline culture and lifestyle which is not something all spouses can understand.

The proposal
Initially, Reuben’s close friends and I planned a surprised birthday party for him. It was pretty hilarious when we look back as half of the surprise was actually leaked out due to my poor acting skills! But the party went on smoothly until the restaurant team came out with lovely candles when it was time to cut the birthday cake. Reuben had in fact, a plan of his own and went down on his knees after emerging from behind the team. Everyone thought he slipped and fell and went to give him a hand but backed off and said “Joanne, this is your deal”. From that moment, I knew Reuben was proposing to me on the very same event!

What have you learned from each other?
Joanne: We are two individuals from different backgrounds and up-bringing. Talking and discussing things out and then compromise is very important in a relationship.

What are your advice to couples who are about to marry?
Marriage is just the beginning of a life long journey with your loved one. We will be lying to you if we were to say that everything will always be rosy. It would not be a ‘Happily Ever After’ marriage if you do not embrace each other’s differences and learn a thing or two from one another. Sometimes, bumpy rides are good spices in life. The fundamental thing about marriage is to communicate and compromise with each other.

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Photography by Kelvin Yeoh & Michelle Chai (Design Capture)
Flowers and Floral décor by Mabel (Maple Story)
Wedding Dress by Joanne Chan (Joanne’s own couture label)
Bridesmaid and Flower girls’ dresses by Joanne Chan (Joanne’s own couture label)
Groom’s Suit by Hugo Boss
Makeup by Remy Ngan (Mimi Make-up Studio)
Hair Accessories by EVITA PERONI
Wedding Cake by Su-Yin (Delectable)
Pre Wedding Cocktail at the Long Bar, One World Hotel
Banquet at One World Hotel
Entertainment by David Gomes & Junji Delfino

The Rings
Our rings are from Tiffany & Co.
Hers       : Elsa Peretti curved band with diamonds in platinum.
His          : Lucida platinum band with a single diamond.

Most enjoyable moment of the wedding
We enjoyed the entire day as we were treated as the King and Queen of the day! It made us feel really special. Our florist did the most fantastic job with the decor and we were really pleased with our photography session.

The most important element in a wedding
The friends and family that you share your wedding with and not forgetting to take pleasure of being together as husband and wife!

Advices to couples who are about to marry
Plan ahead, prepare early and make sure the bridal party knows exactly what to do for the wedding. Do not let planning interfere your relationship and let everyone else do the stressing for you!

The biggest challenge to overcome when planning a wedding
Couples living overseas have the biggest hurdle. A lot of coordination needs to be done via email. Apart from that, trying to keep the peace is probably the next challenge!

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Photography by Jonathan Ho (Expressively Joho)
Videography by Dino (BrilliantPic)
Flowers and Hair flowers by RedBox
Dress by Tuscany Bridal
Groom’s Suit by Prada
Makeup by Ponnie Hsu (Pretty Box)
Reception at Mandarin Oriental Singapore

Wedding has become increasingly personalized where many aspects of a wedding are custom designed or made to order for a distinctive air of luxury, intimacy and with a touch of stylish elegance. Armed with an arsenal of information, The Wedding Book is a beginner’s guide for those ready to take the plunge into matrimonial bliss. It encompasses every aspect of a wedding from romancing the bride to picking a wedding theme, styling the look, personalizing your special day and tying the knot without breaking your bank account.

This issue, The Wedding Book helps you put together a team to plan your customized dream wedding with its comprehensive planning guide together with checklists for every aspect of the wedding. The ‘Planner’ of this fourth issue is organized according to corresponding categories of wedding vendors, from the region, for your convenience. Most importantly, the Book follows the sequence to plan your Big Day!

All the pages in this book are ‘the’ inspiration and guidance you need to plan your wedding well.

Note: The Wedding Book is available at all major bookstores in Malaysia and Singapore at RM25/SGD14.

If you are having your winter wedding, incorporate the beauty of the season’s weather into your reception. No matter what your wedding’s colors are, it’s simple to elegantly combine them with wintery hues. Whether your reception is a sit down dinner or something with a more modern twist, you will love the romance that winter can bring.

Here are some tips for creating your own Winter Wonderland:

Colors
In areas where it frequently snows, the color of winter is white. However, silver and blue or red and green are also appropriate colors to use during this season. If your table linens and decorations are mostly white, use accent colors in delightful and unexpected places to bring interest and to your reception. Some winter foliage or brightly colored mistletoe would help to create a classic romantic atmosphere.

Cakes
One surprising idea for adding color is your wedding cake. Against a mostly white backdrop, any color of cake will pop out and dazzle you and your guests. Your cake can be totally white with colored additions to match your wedding colors or can be a totally non-white color. Ask your baker about creating some edible snowflakes, flowers, or winter foliage for your cake.

Décor
Hang snowflakes from the ceiling and also have white holiday lights or white tulle strung across the ceiling. Ice sculptures add a certain “wow” to any reception while seasonal plants like poinsettias or holly can lend themselves to a more low-key event. Silver or blue ornaments placed in simple white bowls or hanging with the snowflakes contribute to an enchanting d?cor. Add dark red or green bows tied to the ends of your table for a more festive traditional look.

Menu
During the winter, our culinary tastes turn to warm comforting food. Soup is a good appetizer or first course, warming your guest without filling them up. For an entr?e, consider something hardy like white Lasagna or Braised Chicken with Garlic and White Wine. White Chocolate desserts are a great choice for a wintery reception. After dinner hot chocolate or mulled cider would be a warm alternative to cold and icy punches.

Dinnerware
Consider the dinnerware as another place to add some color. Set your table with fashionable dishes like Noritake Colorwave, which come in a wide range of hues that will match almost any wedding colors. Mixing classic with modern elegance, Colorwave dishes, which are dishwasher, microwave and oven safe are also an excellent choice for dinnerware for your new household.

Centerpieces
A centerpiece will also add to your romantic winter reception. Consider flowers that match your bouquet or wedding colors placed in large crystal vases. Bold red roses accented with pine cones or small tree branches help add charm to the picturesque table scene.

There are many ways to add the alluring experience of charming winter scenery to your reception. By using some of these ideas to spark your imagination, you and your spouse will have the enchanting fairy-tale wedding reception of your dreams.

Canopy/Shade
One important aspect is an open canopy large enough that your tables can fit into it. Not only does it enhance the romantic scenery, but it also provides shade from the sun as well. Use tulle or satin ribbon that matches your colors as colorful ties for the canopy for a more refined look. If your reception will extend past evening, consider how you will light up your area. Battery-operated string lights help to create a beautiful ambiance as night falls.

Table Setting
Cover your picnic tables with white or off-white tablecloths, and table runners that coordinate with your wedding colors. Allow the wedding favors to be a part of your table decorations. Sea glass-colored luminaries or sand and shell tea light holders help add charm to the picturesque table scene.

Seating
Depending on what type of sand is on the beach you have chosen, chairs may sink into the ground. Place wooden boards under your chairs for support and cover the boards with sand if you want to hide them. Alternatively, wooden slats resembling the same type used for piers can also provide support while maintaining your beach decor. You may want to also provide the same type of support for your tables as well.

Menu
A beach wedding receptions lends itself to all types of foods. If you are in an exotic locale, you may want to have local specialties as your reception fare. Seafood is a common menu option, however some people have allergies to seafood or just don’t like it. It’s your reception, so serve whatever food you feel would be most appropriate for you and your guests. Your wedding cake can be a beautiful traditional cake and still have beach elements incorporated into it. Talk to your baker about creating some edible seashells or starfish or seahorses for your cake.

Dinnerware
Consider the dinnerware you and your husband will use in your new home for your reception dinner dishes. Noritake dinnerware serves as a refined look for your reception, but they are also sturdy enough for everyday use. It will bring lasting memories of your special day and add a bit more romance to the meal whenever you use these dishes.

Centerpieces
A handsome centerpiece will also add to your elegant reception. Consider flowers coordinating with your bouquet or wedding colors in pedestal bowls. Large conch seashell surrounded by smaller, similar shells would also provide a beautiful accent to your table.

By considering these factors and planning well, the beach wedding and reception you and your fiancé dream of can easily become a reality.

The love story

The wedding theme: Our dinner reception theme was ‘Fairytale Wedding’ and Elvira had a blast doing up the place in pink and white. We had candelabras with flowers at the foyer and a huge floral arch at the entrance. We draped the walls white and laid out white carpets and hung loads of lighted floral balls and scallops from the ceiling. The backdrop was a huge castle and we custom built two grand staircases for us to enter. The garden party had a green and white theme with lots of flowers and, even had a two projection screens for our guests to watch the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

The venue: Church ceremony was held at the Assumption Church in PJ, while the tea ceremony, garden party and dinner reception were held at Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel.
The rings: Platinum rings from Diamonds & Platinum.
The wedding dresses: all by Pretty In White. Elvira was dressed in a tube gown with lots of lace, beads and crystals embellishment for the church ceremony, a kua for the tea ceremony, a halter-neck dress with green beads, lace and crystals for the garden party and, a pink gown for the dinner reception.
The groom’s suit: Kevin wore a suit with red cravat and vest for the church ceremony, a Chinese man’s kua for the tea ceremony, suit with cravat and vest for the garden party and a tuxedo for the dinner reception.
Moments to treasure: It has to be the point we finally exchanged our sacred vows. I was so nervous and sweating while Elvira later told me she felt her hair stand on its end. It was a magical moment that changed our whole life.
Floral design & Decorations: Creativelines
Photography: The Photoz

more wedding photos:

Start your wedding plans at the Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur’s Bridal Fair, a fairyland of wonderful wedding ideas and advice. Have a chat with our wedding planner and find out how we can personalize your wedding just the way you envision it to be. We know and understand that no two couples are the same; therefore no two weddings should be either.

Learn more about Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur’s 2010 wedding packages and get inspired by a wide array of wedding essentials and options from favours and flowers to photography. Mock wedding set-ups and a fully-dressed ballroom will also be available for viewing during the Bridal Fair. Relive the magical moments when you fell in love with each other as you gear up for the most important event in your life.

A wedding is the first day of your marriage and this is where it begins!

Date : 21 & 22 November 2009
Time : 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Venue : Level 2 Foyer

Featuring:

Wedding favors: Favors Essence, Wicked Wax, Simply Cakes

Health & Beauty: Lancôme, St. Gregory Spa, Serene Nails Studio

Gowns: Carven Ong Couture

Jewellery: Tomei Gold & Jewellery

Floral: Wishing Tree

Décor: Aspra Events

Beverage: Asiaeuro Wine & Spirits

Photography: Catchlight Photography

Here at Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur, we know how much your wedding or that special get together means to you and those close to you. We also understand you’re probably working within a budget and don’t want any unexpected expenses creeping in to spoil the fun.

Perks & Packages for 2010 Wedding Day Bookings include:

· Current year pricing for weddings held between 1 January 2010 until 31 December 2010

· Design your own Chinese, Malay or Indian set menu

· Complimentary 60-minute massage for two at St. Gregory Spa

· A special choice of a pearl necklace from Rafflesia Pearl Centre OR a perfect pair of his and hers 18K white gold diamond wedding bands from Tomei *

· A special choice of a raised dais (pelamin), a pearl necklace from Rafflesia Pearl Centre OR a perfect pair of his and hers 18K white gold diamond wedding bands from Tomei for Mutiara Kasih package

· Chinese Wedding packages from RM998++, Malay Wedding Packages from RM750++ & Indian Wedding Packages from RM750++

* Available for selected packages only

And if you’re a UOB cardmember, additional perks include:

· UOB Instalment Payment Plan (IPP) with 6 or 12 month tenure

· Complimentary pre-wedding reception canapés and refreshments for 100 persons (based on a minimum of 30 tables)

Other terms and conditions apply.

For enquiries, please call Amy Wong (Wedding Planner) at (603) 2782 8385 or email wong.amy@kul.parkroyalhotels.com.

Ingredients for this theme:

Floral Designs, Decor & Linens by Wishing Tree
Tables & Chairs by Chiavari Chairs by Khareyan Events
Favours of gourmet chocolates by Fidani
Photography by Alan of The Photoz
Tableware by JIA
Venue compliments of a private residence in Tropicana Golf & Country Resort

The colour scheme is a blend of silver, whites and blues, lending stylish accents to this truly contemporary setting that showcases your refined sense of aesthetics.

Against a backdrop of warm woods and gray, the couple’s sojourn into love and life is invoked through a very modern interpretation of light against an evening setting.

Shimmering candles on tall white candlestands that are almost engulfed in a profusion of white and purple flowers, with crystal bead hangings and soft willowy flowers, create an ethereal experience that will remain etched in your memories forever.

Concept & colour: Dainty baby’s breath strung together with silver sequins that hang from the chandelier adds glitz and glam to this chic ambiance for a private and intimate wedding dinner party of less than ten guests in the home. The intricacies of highlighting silver as the main colour in this theme, represents the opulence and richness of the couple’s future together.

Editor says:
An intimate evening in shades of mineral black and silver with accents of green and purple highlight your taste in all things exclusive, chic and contemporary.

The love story: We were both doing our MBA at the Chicago Graduate School of Business in 2004. He was a very sweet guy and just as he was about to leave for Hong Kong, he expressed his feelings for me. But I wasn’t ready yet. So Ricky used to send me little short stories about a guy and a girl that represented us both. Whenever he sensed I was sad, he’d leave little gifts at the reception area of my dorm. These thoughtful actions won me over and finally at Christmas 2004, we became a couple when he came all the way to Chicago from KL.
The proposal: Ricky popped the question in April 2007 at the Inter Continental Hotel that overlooks the Hong Kong Harbour. He brought a bouquet of flowers, a gorgeous D-coloured, slightly over a carat diamond, got down on his knees and asked me to be his wife. I was speechless and tears started streaming down my cheeks. I wasn’t expecting it all!
The wedding theme: I love flowers and I wanted loads of them! We had the florist decorate the ballroom with beautiful arrangements including two tall flower stands at the entrance. The KL event had a red theme going as red represented our love. Our invitation cards were specially made in Hong Kong, while a 5-piece jazz band entertained the guests. In Hong Kong, the red theme continued with touches of pastels as the venue was furnished with timber furniture. The pastels balanced the colour scheme. I personally hand-made 20 block candles to be placed at the cocktail areas.
The venue: Shangri-la Kuala Lumpur and Island Shangri-la Hong Kong.
The rings: TSL Atelier (wedding bands) and a hand picked diamond ring.
The wedding gown: all from My Dream Wedding. At the KL reception, I wore a stunning red qua with dragon / phoenix motifs and matching shoes. I next changed into a white, lacy and beaded wedding gown with a long train. The dramatic gown was the perfect outfit that suited the long walk into the ballroom. The pure white of the dress was furthered enhanced with a bouquet of white flowers in my hands. I also wore three additional evening gowns. In Hong Kong, I chose a bareback, spaghetti strap wedding gown and three evening gowns as well.
The groom’s suit: Custom-made white tuxedo for the KL event and a black tuxedo in Hong Kong.

Moments to treasure: There are simply too many moments but we both agree the planning process was memorable with Ricky being most supportive and accommodating. Also, on the wedding day, the wedding march and later, our dance together were beautiful moments to be treasured forever.
Floral design & decorations: Creativelines

Idyllic sun-drenched days turn into soft, candlelit nights. The fragrance of exotic, tropical flowers is in the air, and so is romance. This is a place of such stunning beauty and romantic harmony, it quietly defines the meaning of “forever.”

Princeville Resort
5520 Ka Haku Road
Princeville
Hawaii 96722

Tel: (808) 826 9644
Fax: (808) 826 8110

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