Working with Jennifer and John offered a new challenge for me due to the distance we had to traverse to communicate with each other. Jennifer and John who hailed from KL and the States respectively, had moved to Tokyo as Jennifer was transferred to work as a designer at Ikea Japan.
It was crucial to establish trust before we could move on to plan for the wedding. Through a series of phone calls, we started to warm up to each other and I discovered the couple's interests, preferences and personalities.
As the couple were living abroad, they could only perused the suggested venues through pictures and comments that I posted to them. What they had in mind was an intimate and cozy place where families and friends are comfortable enough to let their hair down and have a fabulous time. However, as soon as they found the charming Ciao Caffe Ristorante, we started to put our plans in full swing.
Housed in a colonial bungalow along the bustling Jalan Tun Razak, the bungalow restaurant boasts of two bar areas and several private dining spaces. Overlooking the backyard is a large garden surrounded by verdant tress which is a perfect place for the wedding reception. Jennifer and John were totally ecstatic as the place fulfilled their requirement of having the luxury of space where their beloved guests of 200 have plenty of room to wander and mingle about. Another advantage of this was that we could get creative and include elements of surprise that could create unforgettable experience for everyone.
Inspired by the tranquility of the quaint venue, the couple agreed to have an enchanted garden theme that promised to exude surprises from beginning till the end. To add unique touch, we had blended Japanese and Western cultures to reflect the influences of these cultures on the couple. A host of purple and green shades were selected as the color palette to complement the natural setting.
A garden canopy with a stage was set up at the backyard, decorated with purple and lime green drapes. Fairy lights trailed down the drapes and when the evening approached, the dinner section came alive with brilliant glittering lights. Sheer ribbons in the shades of purple and green were hung on the canopy's entrance that blown softly by gentle evening breeze.
In Japan, a thousand paper cranes is traditionally given as a wedding gift to signify a thousand years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple. Inspired by this, we decided to include origami cranes as part of decoration which were tied to the ribbons on the canopy's entrance.
The tables were dressed in crisp white covers with purple table runners. The chairs were also draped in white and elegantly tied in place with soft pink and purple obi-style sashes. To add a chandelier-like effect, hanging rattan lights decorated with pearl strands were hung under the canopy. The overall combination of the pastel shades and the lights gave a truly fresh burst of garden ambiance.
To pull the whole garden-ish mood together, floral art pieces were elegantly created to make them blend seamlessly with the garden. Web work candle holders were tastefully decorated with leaves and orchids and were mounted on 3 feet lantern poles along the walkway leading to the canopy. They instantly aroused the curiosity of newly arrived guests. At dusk, the illuminated walkway was like a path to a magical place. The soft glow of the candles hinted romance and gave the evening a sultry feel.
The gorgeous decorated candle holders also bedecked the guests tables as centerpieces.
Leading to the canopy entrance, a signature 4-tier fountain stood tall, with wisps of dry-ice mist flowing. Candles, purple orchids and green ivies were also placed around the fountain. The effect was absolutely grand as it perfectly created a mystical aura.
Other Japanese-influenced elements the couple had incorporated included the flower pot 'blooming' with folded origami papers written with the guests' blessings and well wishes. Authentic Japanese crackers or senbei and various tit-bits were also served during cocktails. Orange and white floral thank you cards in the shape of kimono were given to the guests as tokens of appreciation.
Rudy Stecca, the chef and owner of Ciao Caffe Ristorante, prepared a hearty Italian buffet. The sumptuous meal started with an array of appetizers which comprised of grilled zucchini, capsicum, eggplant and mushrooms, deep fried marinated squids, tasty and colorful Nicoise salad, and prawn cocktail with Thousand Island dressing.
The selections of main courses included pasta dishes – chicken and mushroom lasagna, Seafood Paella, Penne Cream and Salmon. As for meat and seafood selections – dory fillet with tomato sauce and herbs, baked lamb leg in blueberry sauce, and pan-fried chicken breast with black pepper and mushroom sauce. The meal would not complete without the impeccable dessert – mango tarts, tiramisu and fresh fruits.
Sweetnote Jazz Band kept the guests entertained with soothing jazzy tunes. To liven up the atmosphere and keep the guests engaged, a friendly quiz about the newlyweds was conducted with special souvenirs rewarded to those who answered correctly. The bashful Jennifer and John performed their first dance soon after, to the wishes of families and friends.
The enchanted evening saw the guests being enticed by the splendid ambiance and tantalized by the delightful meal. The beaming smiles of the newlyweds were testimonies to their joy of celebrating their union with the people they love. An evening spent in an enchanted garden to celebrate a memorable occasion such as this, is a sweet experience that shall never be forgotten by everyone in years to come.
To enjoy the tropics without the unpleasantness of pesky insects, lemongrass incense sticks and bamboo torches filled with citronella oil were placed around the canopy. The premise was fogged on the same day as well.
Our tropical weather can be humid and warm. Jennifer wore a black cocktail dress to keep cool and for practicality. Propose smart casual dress code in your invitation card to allow your guests to enjoy comfort while sharing your happiness on that grand day.