Classic Neutral Toned Wedding at E&O Hotel, Penang

Joel and Melinda, both based in Perth chose to host their wedding in Penang to accommodate Joel’s grandparents, who were unable to travel to Perth. They selected St. Joseph’s Chapel for their Christian ceremony and the Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O) for the reception. The choice was perfect, combining heritage charm, convenience, and the capacity to host their 220 guests. “Our overseas guest really enjoyed the hotel and dining options around Georgetown. The locale made this destination wedding with over 100 guests from Australia really special as it felt like a big group holiday for everyone.

The wedding day started with a traditional Vietnamese gift-bearing ceremony at the bridal suite in the E&O Hotel, featuring trays of gifts including suckling pig, kaya bun, fruits, alcohol, and biscuits. Joel and his groomsmen had to playfully negotiate their way through the door and complete a lively gate-crashing games to reach Melinda. This bustling event was witness by 50 of Melinda’s family members and stood out as one the most memorable moments of the day for this couple.

The couple then headed separately to St. Jo @ Gurney Paragon for the wedding ceremony. The evening began with a cocktail session at the grand ballroom courtyard. “We served personalised cocktails included a coriander cocktail as a nod to Mel’s Vietnamese heritage and a green tea cocktail as a nod to Joel’s love for Japan.” As the reception commenced, ballet dancers welcomed guests to their tables, setting a magical tone for the night. Dinner featured a delightful Chinese cuisine, and the evening was filled with live band entertainment, a photo booth with instant prints, and heartfelt speeches.

Joel and Melinda’s wedding was filled with unique and personal touches reflecting their different cultures. Their beloved dog, Cookie, who couldn’t travel, was included in the wedding through motion graphics on stage and even joined their celebrations via Zoom. Wedding invitations that were personally designed and calligraphed by Melinda added a special touch to their celebration.

Joel and Melinda emphasize the importance of hiring a wedding planner and investing in a good photographer and videographer. They credit Ann and her team for making their wedding planning and the day itself stress-free, allowing them to enjoy every moment. “We absolutely loved the pictures and the same day edit video by Bean Pictures were impressive. Our guest loved it.” added Joel and Melinda.

Credit Highlight:

Venue: E&O Hotel

Venue (Ceremony): St Jo @ Gurney Paragon Mall

Photographer: Mun Keat Photography

Videographer: Bean Picture Cinematography

Planner: Casa Amore Wedding

Decorator: Decomate

Florist: Hei Florist

Bridal Gown (1): Pallas Couture, Perth

Bridal Gown (2): The Proposal Singapore

Bridal Gown (3): Studio Wonkyu, KL

Bridal Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana 

Jewellery: Family Heirloom

Bridesmaid dresses: Elle Zeitoune, Perth

Groom’s Suit: Rubinacci, Milan

Groom’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Groomsmen Attire: Custom Tuxedos by Maya Tailor

Entertainment: Musique, Cassiopeia Ballet Academy

Cake: Decomate

Bar: Biso 

Instaprint: Squidoobooth