A bright, colonial-style wedding lunch at Tamarind Hill Singapore

Evelyn Chen, 32, and Jesse Van Aart, 35, celebrated their union with a church solemnisation and a light-hearted lunch at Tamarind Hill.

By Cassandra Koh - 17 Oct 2017

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"Jesse and I met while working together on the set a TV show in Singapore and immediately hit it off. After it wrapped, he returned to the US and we endured four years of a long-distance relationship, visiting each other as often as possible before he finally moved to Singapore in 2014," says Evelyn.

"Our wedding celebration was kept casual: a mass followed by a simple lunch. While we didn’t have a theme or dress code, when my family found out I was wearing a kebaya for the reception, quite a few wore one as well!" adds the bride.

Evelyn & Jesse

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Their wedding mass was held at the Church of Saints Peter & Paul.

Evelyn & Jesse

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The pews were adorned with white and pink roses.

Evelyn & Jesse

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A bold burgundy ribbon added a touch of colour to Evelyn's elegant white and green bridal bouquet by Ace of Vases.

Evelyn & Jesse

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"On my birthday, Jesse asked if I wanted to take a morning stroll at East Coast Park and I gladly agreed. We were walking by a construction site when he told me he wanted to take some photos there.

I felt confused as the sea view was blocked by the cranes but went along with what he wanted anyway. Then Jesse asked me to sit on a bench and stopped a passer-by.

He asked that stranger to help record a video on his phone as he proposed. I later realised it was the same bench we’d sat on during our first date." -Evelyn on how Jesse proposed to her.

Evelyn & Jesse

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Mass in session.

Evelyn & Jesse

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All smiles as the bride puts the ring on the groom.

Evelyn & Jesse

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The newly-weds danced up the aisle after being pronounced man and wife!

Evelyn & Jesse

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The couple chose a wedding palette of gold, deep burgundy, white and blue.

Evelyn & Jesse

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Evelyn and Jesse changed into Peranakan attires for the reception.

Evelyn & Jesse

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The couple shared their favourite pictures in gold frames.

Evelyn & Jesse

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Each guest received a rattan fan with a bow in one of their wedding colours.

“We wanted everyone to be able to stay cool for the time they were outdoors. We were so happy that the fans looked great and were very functional”, shares Evelyn.

Evelyn & Jesse

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Guests were seated along long tables around the restaurant.

Evelyn & Jesse

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"It is very tiring to plan a wedding by yourself, so start as early as after your man proposes. For starters, make a checklist, choose your wedding party, and book your vendors as soon as possible." - Evelyn on wedding planning.

Evelyn & Jesse

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A lofty ceiling and exposed beams added to the colonial charm of Tamarind Hill Restaurant.

Evelyn & Jesse

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"We felt very blessed and loved by our family and friends. Etched in my memory is my uncle making his yam seng toast and doing his rounds of “Oggy, oggy, oggy... oi, oi,oi”. Then there were the wedding speeches, too," says Evelyn.

Evelyn & Jesse

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Credits

Venue

Solemnisation: Church of Saints Peter & Paul (6337-2585); lunch: Tamarind Hill Restaurant (6278-6364)

Wardrobe

Wedding gown: Kim (9647-8146); groom’s suit: Justmen’s Tailor (6737-4800)

Hair & Makeup

Zann Thiang (9106-5976)

Photography

Eggs Benedict Chan Photography (www eggsbenedictchan.com)

Flowers

Aces of Vase (6383-6448)