Sometimes it’s easy to forget that a wedding is essentially a giant party – that is, if you set the right tone. These newlyweds went for contrast: glamorous yet rustic, classic yet modern, lavish yet intimate. It was a two-day celebration for their friends and family, and everyone clearly had an amazing time.
The bride looked stunning in her glittery gold gown, which, together with the lush décor, high ceilings and wooden interiors, gave the wedding a rustic luxe feel. Meanwhile, the crystal elements and fairy lights, as well as the hanging vines and ivy, created a cosy, intimate setting. Many thanks to Louis Loo Photography for this wonderfully detailed set of photos!
Huei Li: “Our most memorable moments were the marriage ceremony itself, our parents’ and best friends’ speeches, the performance by a dear friend, and the evening of dancing. The marriage ceremony was conducted by Reverend Dr Jonathan Jong, who is a childhood friend of Han Hsien. He delivered an insightful sermon that was modern, meaningful and thoroughly enjoyable (and which also earned him the nickname ‘the radical priest’).
“At the evening reception, we were exhilarated to see the décor and setting come together after months of detailed planning from abroad. We were blessed to share the evening with family and friends from four different continents, and were especially touched by the speeches, a performance, and other personal touches, such as the artisan cocktails that were designed (and mixed in person) by a friend from New Orleans.
“Last but not least, we’ll certainly remember the dancing and music, from our first dance to the ringbearer break dancing, and the priest performing a split! From start to finish, the ceremony and reception were filled with love and fun, and we couldn’t have asked for anything more!
“Han Hsien and I wanted an intimate, fun wedding with just a touch of glamour, so our decorators coined the term ‘Rustic Luxe’ for us. We chose the Tanarimba Visitor Centre for the evening reception, as we loved the outdoor-indoor mix and its proximity to the city. We also wanted to steer clear of hotels and instead, highlight the natural beauty of Malaysia to friends who were joining us from around the world.
“The venue gave us the freedom to customise our decor; I wanted a dance floor, flowers and candles, and Han Hsien insisted on a disco ball and full cocktail bar. Our colours were blush pink, gold and green, and we kept things classic and romantic yet modern. We also added smaller DIY touches such as the wedding guestbook, photographs, and ribbons, making the experience more meaningful.”
Tips from the bride: “Firstly, do have a shared vision for your wedding and identify the elements that are most important to you and your partner. You’ll run into different hiccups during the planning, but if you share the vision and effort, then when the big day arrives you’ll also find yourselves enjoying the wedding and fruits of your labour more. Secondly, we split our wedding events across two days – the first day was our church and tea ceremonies, and the second day was the evening reception. This gave us the opportunity to relax, connect with friends and take in everything that was happening. If you can, spacing out the events makes it much more relaxing for everyone. Finally, where you can and if it makes sense, do involve your family and friends; this was by far the best part for us as it brought a sense of intimacy and fun to the celebrations!”
HUEI LI & HAN HSIEN {Malaysia}
Photography by Louis Loo, Deviews Production / Videography by Ken Chan Productions / Wedding Planning by Patricia Chan of MY Wedding Planner / Venue Tanarimba, Janda Baik / Number of Guests 180 / Bridal Gown by Vera Wang and Adrianna Papell / Bride’s Shoes by Stuart Weitzman and Michael Kors / Wedding Jewellery by Tiffany & Co. / Hair and Makeup by The Art of Mae Atelier Workshop / Wedding Bands by DeGem Diamond / Groom’s Attire by Hugo Boss / Bridesmaids’ Dresses by Jenny Yoo / Flowers and Décor by Wishing Tree / Wedding Cake by Miss Shortcakes / Wedding Catering by Purple Cane Tea Restaurant / Art and Stationery by Digital Gallery / Entertainment by DJ Bernie / Emcee Chacko Vadaketh