For Matthew and Yasuho, tying the knot after being together for almost a decade was a momentous and meaningful celebration indeed. The solemnisation ceremony was a classic affair, held in Le Meridian’s rooftop glasshouse. The abundance of natural light made the colour palette of navy and white really stand out in the photos and video.
To highlight the union of their different cultures, Yasuho wore a ‘furisode’, a type of kimono only single women are allowed to wear, complete with a stunning floral headpiece of white hydrangeas and baby’s breath. We absolutely love the whole look! For her walk in, she chose to wear a ‘cheongsam’ to represent her husband’s culture and heritage, as well as to symbolise her merging into his family. She also hand-folded hundreds of ‘orizuru’ (paper cranes) for each guest as part of the wedding favours!
Yasuho: “The most memorable moment was our solemnisation. Right from the start, it was the most important part of the day. We wanted it to symbolise our love for each other, and most importantly, we wanted to honour our God whom we love so much. Our journey started in Sydney, where the both of us were studying. Many times we both wanted to give up on the relationship but somehow we always came back to each other. So not only were we celebrating our union as husband and wife, it was a day for us to cherish and really thank God for His blessings.
“It was also memorable because we were able to exchange our vows in front of our family and friends whom we care for the most. My family and friends flew in from Japan just to celebrate the day with us, and our schoolmates from around the world travelled here for us too. We are so thankful for all the help and support we have received, and the wedding was an amazing reminder to the both of us that we are so blessed to have these beautiful people around us.
“For me, it was really important to represent who I am and where I came from. As much as I love Malaysia, I am Japanese and I am proud of my country and what I am. My mum selected the ‘furisode’ for me and brought it from Japan, and she and my sister also wore kimonos for the dinner reception. The ‘orizuru’ I folded represented my parents’ message of appreciation and happiness for the guests who attended our dinner, my new family, and the country where their daughter is now living. In Japan, cranes represent long life, a good marriage and happiness.”
Tips for brides-to-be: “Have your non-negotiables. Unless you have millions of ringgit to spend on your wedding, we all have to let go of something. My non-negotiable was the photos, so we booked our photographer first. MunKeat was not only the best, but also a great person whom you can trust and one who understands who you are. Our videographer, Three Libra Production, was another awesome vendor we were so happy to work with. They were so professional and calm throughout the whole day. So choose your vendors wisely.
Also, you must find a good tailor or dressmaker for your dress if you are opting for a custom-made gown. I was referred to Wedding Isle, and Sharon there was the best adviser and is now a friend of mine. She gave me honest and valuable advice when choosing my dress and she altered it to perfection! Another good piece of advice to future brides is to have an open mind when it comes to choosing a dress. Don’t have pre-conceived ideas on what you want and make sure you end up with a dress that is suitable for your body shape!”
YASUHO & MATTHEW {Malaysia}
Photography by MunKeat Photography / Videography by Three Libra Production / Ceremony Venue Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur / Reception Venue Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral / Number of Guests 120 (Ceremony) and 450 (Reception) / Bridal Gown by Wedding Isle / Bride’s Shoes by Stuart Weitzman and Jimmy Choo / Hair and Makeup by Sharon from Wedding Isle / Groom’s Attire by Wardrobe / Bridesmaids’ Dresses by Eclipse / Flowers and Décor by Wishing Tree / Wedding Favours DIY / Entertainment by Wei Li Cheah