Meeting on the dating app Hinge, Jason’s witty remarks caught Rita’s attention, and interestingly, he was the first “dating app” date Rita ever went on. The official proposal came as a surprise on Boxing Day, when Jason, with a flair for romance, decorated the balcony of their flat in South East London with fairy lights and flowers, creating a cozy atmosphere that perfectly set the stage for him to pop the question.
When it came to selecting their wedding venue, Rita and Jason sought a location that was both intimate and meaningful. The Horniman Museum & Gardens, a favourite local spot for the couple, provided the perfect backdrop. The stunning glass conservatory, with its Victorian architecture and intricate ironwork, was a clear choice as soon as they discovered it was available for hire.
Rita and Jason’s wedding attire beautifully reflected their cultural heritage and personal style. Jason embraced his Chinese and Vietnamese roots by wearing a modern Chinese wedding suit. The top, sourced from Thailand, was paired with red linen trousers found in a Nepalese vintage clothing store in Dalston. His outfit was a vibrant nod to tradition, yet with a contemporary twist that made it uniquely his own.
Rita chose a delicate white gown which was simple yet elegance. For the Chinese tea ceremony, she added a special touch—a translucent cape with a mandarin collar to her ensemble, a tailored piece gifted by her mother and sister to celebrate her Thai-Chinese roots.
The wedding day began with calm and excitement as Rita and Jason got ready separately. Having spent the week leading up to the wedding apart allowed for anticipation to build before their first look at the venue. The ceremony began with a civil service. Rita’s father walked her down the aisle to the enchanting melody of “Merry-go-round of life” from Studio Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle, played live by a harpist. “Jason started tearing as I was walking down the aisle —a rare occurrence for him” shared Rita.
Afterwards, the couple transitioned to the main event—a Chinese tea ceremony. A deeply meaningful part of the day, this ceremony honoured their shared Chinese heritage and allowed their families, especially Jason’s grandparents, to partake in a tradition that was both personal and cultural. The beautifully decorated conservatory, filled with florals in soft pinks, greens, and whites, provided the perfect backdrop for this intimate ceremony.
Post-ceremony, the celebration continued in true London style—with guests boarding a red London bus to the reception venue. The choice of restaurant was a reflection of the couple’s love for food and their desire to introduce their guests to their favourite vegan Thai dishes. The reception was relaxed and centred around enjoying delicious food, with heartfelt speeches.
Rita and Jason advise future couples to hold regular meetings to discuss wedding plans but to limit those discussions to once a week. This approach, they found, made wedding planning feel like a collaborative, fun project rather than an overwhelming task, helping them stay organised without letting it take over their lives.
Featured Vendors
Venue :The Conservatory at the Horniman Museum & Gardens
Photographer :Irene Yap
Videographer :Bek McGeekie
Planner :Suzanne James
Florist :Pesh Flowers
Bridal Shoes :Loeffler Randall
