Having dated since they were in university, with two out of their five years together spent in a long-distance relationship, this couple was ready for a lifelong commitment. Their last challenge? Plan a destination wedding in Penang from their respective hometowns of Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, which they did magnificently. These photos from Mocco are proof.
Phing Phing: “I have always dreamt of an enchanted fairytale garden wedding. Searching for a beautiful garden in Malaysia was challenging. When we stumbled upon The Banyan Tree Garden at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa in Penang, it was like a dream come true. It is a very intimate garden nestled among the resort’s majestic trees, overlooking the Ferringhi beach. Penang is also special because Sidney lived most of his childhood there. We wanted something romantic and chic so we introduced navy blue, grey, blush pink and white into our colour palette.
“Inspired by the ethereal beauty of Japanese cherry blossoms, we decided to use them to create an enchanted garden look for both our garden ceremony and dinner reception. A variety of flowers in shades of blush pink were used to decorate the venue. The bridesmaids carried bouquets of pink hydrangeas that stood out against their navy blue dresses. We used pink peonies for my bridal bouquet and the groom’s boutonnière. The wedding cake was made by a family friend and decorated with fresh pink peonies. I have always loved peonies; they are so beautiful and smell so good!
“I single-handedly designed our wedding monogram, invitation cards and programme cards, as well as our reception photo backdrop. It took me about three months to complete everything, from designing to sourcing of materials, printing and finally sealing up the cards individually. It may seem like a crazy idea to make 180 sets of invitation cards, but the lasting enjoyment and satisfaction you get when you receive compliments from your guests is priceless.
“At the end of our wedding, after the last guests had left, suddenly everything became so quiet and serene. Finally, it was just the both of us, my new husband and I. I kicked off my shoes, and we walked hand in hand under the moonlight as husband and wife to our bridal suite. It was the most beautiful moment of the entire day. That was the moment when we finally realised that we had made it.”
Tips from the bride: “Take time to plan, don’t rush things over a short period of time. It took us over a year to plan the wedding, from searching for the perfect venue to getting the right vendors that could deliver our ideas within our budget. The venue that you pick should be able to help you achieve your dream wedding style and theme. Try to prioritise the ‘must-haves’ for your wedding, and splurge on them. DIY might be a trend now, but remember that if not carefully planned, DIY could actually cost you more – both financially and in terms of time. If you are able, engage a professional wedding planner. You don’t want to be running around making sure things are done properly during your most important day.”
PHING PHING & SIDNEY {Malaysia}
Photography by Mocco / Videography by Ridzuan Azizah Cinematography / Venue Shangri-la’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang / Number of Guests 80 (Ceremony) and 250 (Reception) / Wedding Planning by Amy Aw of Sugar and Spice / Bridal Gown by My Dream Wedding / Bride’s Shoes by Jimmy Choo / Hair and Makeup by Rinako Ooi / Groom’s Attire by Custom made / Bridesmaids’ Dresses by ZARA / Flowers and Décor by Buds and Blossoms Florist, Antiga Creative Works / Music by Jazzhats