Amy Ong runs a wedding decorations company while Norman Lim works as an operations director. Both 29, the couple met in polytechnic and are now based in China.

A joyous wedding, celebrated by plenty of confetti, good cheer and plenty of fun

BLUE AND BREEZY
As they are both outdoorsy types, the solemnisation was held at Keppel Club’s Berlayer Terrace. Located on the third storey of the swimming pool annex, the venue was breezy, offering scenic views of Sentosa and Labrador Park.

With stunning blue skies and white fluffy clouds as a backdrop, the couple, naturally, chose blue and white as their colour scheme. The effect was visually stunning: white chairs decked with blue ribbons and flowers, blue parasols dotted with white and pink flowers, and round, silk screen Chinese fans that doubled up as programmes.

The day’s events were spelt out on one side of a sticker that also had a note of thanks for their helpers on the other side. “It was a fun, family affair, with everyone helping to paste the stickers on the fans!” laughs Amy. Then there was the bridal entourage of bridesmaids in pretty turquoise dresses pepped up with white sashes and groomsmen in smartly tailored white shirts and turquoise ties.

PICTURE PERFECT
As one of Amy’s hobbies is scrapbooking, the couple had a corner to display their scrapbooks and wedding album, which allowed them to share their pictures in a more personable way.

HAPPY REVELRY
While the wedding ceremony was a casual chic celebration with family and close friends, dinner was a lavish, masquerade ball for 400 guests at the opulent St. Regis Hotel. “We decided on a masquerade party as it would be great fun and we could get our guests involved too. That was important to us – we wanted them to have a good time,” explains Norman.

The thoughtful couple even provided 250 masks for their guests, and even handpicked some more elaborate ones for family members and helpers. “We asked them what colour their outfits were so we could pick matching masks,” shares Norman. To create excitement, there was even an Early Bird Special – guests were told on the invite that the masks would be up for grabs between 7pm and 7.30pm (a brilliant way to get guests to arrive on time!).

Guests picked out their masks at the Polaroid corner, a little station the couple had set up at the foyer where pre-wedding cocktails were served. Helpers handed out the masks and took Polaroid shots of guests, which were pasted in the guestbook, together with their well wishes. The couple even bought large, gilded frames for guests to use as props for the phototaking.

SET FOR THE STAGE
Guests were encouraged to wear their masks to welcome the newlyweds, instead, they were pleasantly surprised when the bride and groom’s parents walked in first. “We wanted to introduce our parents to the guests, and this was a great way to do it,” explains Amy.

When Amy and Norman finally made their entrance, it was to a boisterous welcome and showers of confetti. Amy was resplendent in a sparkling luxe duchess satin gown and an intricate, glittering half-mask. While Amy was all light and gold, her groom chose to play it tall, dark – and mysterious – in a black tux with a silver, mercurial mask a la Phantom of the Opera, as the music of the night started playing.

SIMPLY MAGICAL
To make the evening more magical, the couple hired two magicians, who went around thrilling guests with card tricks, even breathing fire from their mouths! To add a personal touch, the couple did away with dancing, choosing to spend their time mingling with as many guests as possible.

And truly befitting of their warm personalities, they also chose to thank their parents publicly, presenting them with bouquets and a set of scrapbooks with notes and their childhood pictures. Indeed, such personal touches are what make wedding memories beautiful.

COP THE LOOK
SOLEMNISATION: Keppel Club Bukit Chermin Road, Tel: 6375 5567, website: www.keppelclub.com.sg

RECEPTION: St. Regis Hotel, 29 Tanglin Road, Tel: 6506 6888

GOWNS & CHEONGSAMS: Dang Bridal, #07-21, Soho 1@Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, Tel: 6223 8829; www.dangbridal.com.sg.

SUIT: Paul Smith, Lane Crawford, 3 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Love Potion, #04-35, Far East Plaza, Tel: 6735 3870, website: www.lovepotion.com.sg and Isetan Tampines Mall, 4 Tampines Central 5

HAIR & MAKEUP: Joey Chan, Tel: 9008 2888

WEDDING PLANNER & FLOWERS: Spellbound Weddings, Tel: 9658 0816 (Anna Lim), Website: www.spellbound.com.sg.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Feldberyl Images, Tel: 9671 5337 (Wansheng), website: www.feldberyl.com
VIDEOGRAPHY: Shem-Motion, Tel: 9155 6764 (Kenny Shem)

BAND: Compass Entertainment, Tel: 6458 1878, website: www.compass.sg
FAVOURS: Dreamweavers, #02-05, 36 Purvis Street, Tel: 6336 2505, website: www.dreamweavers.com.sg

MAGICIANS: Jackmagik, Tel: 9066 5546, website: www.jackmagik.com

This article was originally published in Her World Brides December 2009-February 2010.