I feel really honored to work closely with Charmaine and Tze Chao to plan their lavish wedding that boasted of three dinner receptions and a church wedding. This sweet and down to earth couple had truly embraced me as their confidante and a friend throughout the course of planning their wedding.
After several thorough discussions, the couple had chosen the Klang Sentro, the Ritz-Carlton and Mandarin Oriental as the venues for the dinner receptions. Whereas the nuptial would take place at Klang Methodist Chinese Church.
For many people, three wedding dinner receptions would extravagant indeed. For Charmaine and Tze Chao, it was a great pleasure to celebrate this special occasion with their vast networks of friends, relatives, associates, vendors, politicians and business acquaintances. To leave anyone out would seemed to make the affair incomplete.
The couple's friend, Stephanie of Spring Cottage was given the privilege to take charge of decorations in each venue. A special theme was selected for each venue: Sacred Romance, Romantic Hues, Classic Chic, and Lush and Passionate. Armed with her professional team of decorators, Stephanie set to dress each venue with its distinctive style.
The beautiful celebration began with the blessing of the couple's union at Klang Methodist Chinese Church. Upon stepping up at the church's entrance, guests were welcomed with a lovely floral centerpiece that adorned the foyer. Collections of the couple's photographs and guests book were placed neatly on a table nearby.
To pep up the atmosphere with romance, gorgeous orchids, roses, eustomas and hydrangeas in pastel shades of pink, green, blue and cream were used. Lovely bouquets of these flowers were attached to silver branches and lined the aisle leading to the altar.
Instead of using a traditional tune, Tan Wei Han, a Malaysian tenor, was invited to sing “O Sole Mio” as the bride walked in with her father. Charmaine was a picture of radiance that also mirrored Tze Chao's joy. There was a look of love in his eyes. Wei Han's rich voice spurred up everyone's spirit with the joy of the wonderful day ahead.
During the vows and rings exchanges ceremony, a beautiful song called “The Prayer” was performed by Wei Han with a local soprano, Michelle Siaw. The song brought tears to guests' eyes with its meaningful lyrics that reminded everyone of God's providence and guidance in our lives. By adding a song such as this during ceremonies accentuates the meaning even more.
Immediately after the ceremony, a lunch reception was held at a nearby restaurant to thank everyone who came to witness this sacred occasion.
The first dinner reception took place at the Grand Imperial Ballroom of Klang Sentro. The majestic pillarless ballroom was an ideal location to host 800 guests.
Stephanie once again recreateted a romantic ambiance with combinations of roses, hydrangeas and orchids in the shades of blue, pink, cream and purple. The gorgeous floral arrangements with trailing green ivies were mounted on four feet stands and graced every corner of the hall. Tea light candles illuminated each floral arrangement which gave a lovely effect. Similar floral arrangements also decked the tables as centerpieces. Towering silver branches were used to complement the hall's high ceiling and also its sycamore veneer walls. Each decorative piece and clever projection of light on the walls and ceilings successfully created the desired atmosphere.
A special video presentation about the couple which included some of their childhood photos had warmed everyone's heart. This presentation allowed the guests to get a glimpse of the couple's personality and also to share some sweet anecdotes of their love for each other.
Charmaine and Tze Chao was a picture of pure happiness as they toasted their blessings along with their immediate family members. To further spice up the guests celebratory moods, a free flow of liquor and beer was provided. As the night progressed, everyone continued to revel in their happiness accompanied by marvelous songs and music played by a four piece band.
The second dinner reception was held at the Ritz-Carlton which is located at the posh Golden Triangle district of KL. The luxury boutique hotel was a superb location to celebrate the auspicious occasion with the newly weds' closest family members and friends.
The Ritz-Carlton's classy interior that blends local craftsmanship and classic European elegance posed a fresh challenge for Stephanie. Its beige linens, pale yellow walls, stylish chandeliers, and baroque carpet truly invoked a sense of attending a formal British ball dance! To complement this ambiance, flowers in the shades of white and green were selected. Vertical candle lilies, green pom poms and hydrangeas, white eustomas, roses and orchids adorned the hall in beautiful arrangements which included chic towering glasses and bowls as vases. The usage of candles further radiated these floral arrangements that screamed elegance in vintage glamor.
The wedding party feasted on a non-halal Chinese cuisine which was a delight for the Chinese guests.
Halfway through the dinner, everyone including the newly weds were given a special surprised - a flamenco dance performed by a relative from Spain! The bailaora put everyone in curious anticipation when she stood motionless on the first few moments of the song. When the spirit of the music took her, she began a dance moves that involved fierce stomping, intricate hand, arm and body movements. Everyone was mesmerized from beginning till the end by her fiery movements. Charmaine and Tze Chao were genuinely touched as it was not just a pleasant gift for them but a special cultural experience for their families and friends.
As the evening wore on, a series of toast and speeches were addressed to the couple. The cake cutting ceremony followed suit. The celebration continued late into the night with joyful chatter and laughter emanated throughout the hall.
The final dinner reception took place at the prestigious Mandarin Oriental. In contrast to their Ritz-Carlton's reception, this affair was held for 700 guests consisted of elite groups of business associates, politicians and community groups.
Stephanie introduced a fiery red theme in addition to the pastel pink and white palette. Towering branches were creatively trimmed with red roses on strings of ribbons. Red apples were placed to peek amongst pretty blooms of pink and white eustomas. A bold eight feet centerpiece similar to the aisle décors graced the bridal table.
The highlight agenda for this reception was a donation presentation to a group of charitable organizations. It was a unique personalized touch from the newly weds who had generously extended their nuptial joy with the underprivileged. A kind act such as this is a befitting touch that reminded everyone to share their blessings with those who are less fortunate.
For Charmaine and Tze Chao, the three-day wedding affair could not have been more perfect as their families, friends and professional acquaintances were reunited in a grand celebration. As they celebrated their wedding with their loved ones, many others shared their joy as they too received love and generous contributions from the couple.