Weddings tend to signify the turning point of going from your past into your future, and for these newlyweds, that came in the form of their wedding celebrations. Opting for traditional and nostalgia first, with a church solemnisation and tea ceremony, they let loose with their friends on the second day, surrounded by nature and with much dancing beneath the night sky. Many thanks to Bloc Memoire Photography for capturing this gorgeous wedding.
Desiree: “Being married by Msgr Ambrose, who had journeyed with us for a year and knew us so well, was so special. Other memorable moments included the very special vow ceremony led by my childhood friend, my brother’s impromptu decision to sing us a song while we danced, Daniel’s surprise performance that moved me to tears, and the totally outrageous fertility dance performed by my friends that also moved me to tears, but from laughing too hard! The whole weekend was truly more amazing than we ever imagined it could be. When I think back on the weekend, what I remember most vividly is an overwhelming sense of gratitude to be surrounded by all our loved ones as we celebrated our relationship and commitment to each other.
“We decided to celebrate our wedding across two days so that we could enjoy a more intimate and meaningful experience with each other and our loved ones. The first day was when we honoured our chosen traditions with our families, beginning with a solemnisation in church followed by a tea ceremony and lunch at Empress. The nostalgic theme unfolded naturally as we allowed our decisions on food, décor and favours to be guided by our memories of growing up. We chose Empress because we were both raised in huge Chinese families that always gathered around delicious home cooked feasts, and we wanted a venue that had really good Chinese cuisine. We also loved the classy yet relaxed setting by the river with lots of natural light, not to mention the incredible hospitality we experienced from the Empress team. We loved it so much that it’s now become our go-to venue for family celebrations!
“For our second day, we wanted to truly let our hair down with our closest friends. We were looking for a laidback, romantic venue with a nature vibe, and Open Farm Community was a perfect fit. The lush gardens and warmly lit interiors were an ideal backdrop, and our friends at Fleurapy, who have been our go-to flower people, worked their magic to make the space truly special for us. We wanted to take home an actual piece of our wedding as a keepsake, so we commissioned a weaving by Cordxclay, which the Fleurapy team beautifully incorporated into a floral arch for our vow ceremony. The weaving now hangs in our home as a reminder of our vows to each other and of that very special night.”
Tips from the bride: “Your wedding is the gateway to the next chapter of your lives together – step through it bravely and authentically as a team. Sit down with your partner and set a joint intention for your wedding: what is the true meaning of this day for the both of you, and how do you want the day to reflect this? You’ll be pulled in a million directions all throughout the planning process by well-meaning family members, friends, vendors, and stuff you’ll see on social media, but when all is said and done, you don’t want to feel like you planned everyone else’s dream wedding but your own. Start from, and keep going back to, the anchor of your intentions, and trust that this will create the most sincere experience for the both of you and your loved ones.”
DESIREE & DANIEL {Singapore}
Photography by Bloc Memoire Photography / Videography by Tham Lai Min of AndroidsinBoots / Wedding Planning by Chelsea Low of Holy Moly / Venue Church of Saints Peter & Paul, Empress, Open Farm Community / Number of Guests 90 / Bridal Gown by BHLDN, Truly Enamoured / Bride’s Shoes by Belle Belle / Wedding Jewellery by Choo Yilin / Hair and Makeup by Jenn of iheartblooms / Wedding Bands by Tiffany & Co. / Groom’s Attire by Oxford Tailor / Flowers and Décor by Fleurapy / Wedding Entertainment by MXGX
{Read more about this in the magazine}