10 beautiful ideas for a retro Shanghai Night wedding

Wan Ting & Desmond

1/10

From work to romance We didn't have a good first impression of each other, but after working together on several projects, things changed. He pursued me for over a year before he finally won my heart.

Shivering surprise We were on holiday and I was getting ready to head out for the day, but he was nowhere to be found. Instead, I saw my laptop switched on with a video message from him. When it ended, I opened our room door and there he was, shivering away in a singlet and slippers as it was very cold then. He proposed when we went back inside.

Dinner time We wanted a dressy, heart-warming dinner party with close friends and loved ones. Instead of the wedding speeches and receiving line at the end of dinner, we went from table to table for quality time with all our guests.

Amazing! Our big day was filled with smiles, laughter and so much happiness - from the morning's gatecrashing and the amazing camaraderie between our "brothers" and "sisters" to the beautiful dance performance, Kewei's singing as we entered the banquet hall, and Desmond's song for our parents. My poor husband made me laugh especially hard when he looked so lost as he came to collect me during the gatecrashing.

Reflections The celebration turned out to be way better than expected. There were some hiccups, but they made our memories better. I just wish we'd had better control over the timing, especially during the banquet.

Budgeting Know what you want. Do ample research and never sign anything on impulse. Changes to your plans can be time-consuming and expensive. I wanted to wear a cheongsam for my wedding day but couldn't find anything suitable, so I signed a package with a bridal salon that had oriental-looking wedding gowns - but no cheongsams. When we were about to confirm our gowns and suits from the salon, I found and bought the perfect cheongsam elsewhere. We ended up not using the bridal package, but still had to forgeit the 50 per cent deposit.

This story was first published in Her World Brides Sept 2016.

Wan Ting & Desmond

2/10

"We didn't have a good first impression of each other, but things changed after we worked together on several projects," says Wan Ting.

This story was first published in Her World Brides Sept 2016.

Wan Ting & Desmond

3/10

The ornate ring box featured a pair of jade rings and Chinese seals.

This story was first published in Her World Brides Sept 2016.

Wan Ting & Desmond

4/10

The vintagey wedding party with the old-school camper vans the couple hired.

This story was first published in Her World Brides Sept 2016.

Wan Ting & Desmond

5/10

Red was everywhere - from the bride's cheongsam (see second pic) to the glutinous rice balls, ring box and reception table decor. Marquee lights in the form of the Mandarin character for double happiness, vintage fans (electric and paper), ornate porcelain vases and old-school prints added to the vintage charm.

This story was first published in Her World Brides Sept 2016.

Wan Ting & Desmond

6/10

Wan Ting's bouquet comprised succulents, proteas and fillers.

See also: wildflower bouquets we love and where to get them

This story was first published in Her World Brides Sept 2016.

Wan Ting & Desmond

7/10

Wan Ting and Desmond wore oriental-style outfits for the march-in to dinner. She had on a beautiful blue cheongsam, and he, a smart black suit with a Mandarin collar.

This story was first published in Her World Brides Sept 2016.

Wan Ting & Desmond

8/10

The reception table featured Chinese and vintage elements, including jade charms, the couple's engagement photos in vintage-patterned frames, Chinese knots, double happiness stickers, and posters and prints.

This story was first published in Her World Brides Sept 2016.

Wan Ting & Desmond

9/10

Thrilled to be married!

This story was first published in Her World Brides Sept 2016.

Wan Ting & Desmond

10/10

Having a fabulous time with guests.

CHECKLIST

Venue Dinner reception: Grand Shanghai (6836-6866)

Hair & makeup Marie Soh of 27A Co

Photography Daniel Beh Photography

Videography Lance Ong of Ichiro Films

Decor Flowers: Cotton and Sage. Reception table: Flour

Entertainment Singers Tay Kewei, keyboardist Matthew Quek, and singer and emcee Sugie Phua of Sparkle Live Music

Van rental Kombirocks

Special thanks to Our wedding party (Bernard, Billy, Chak Hwee, Emily, Emma, Kelvin, Kenneth Li Qian, Pie Ling, Raymond, Standen, Vivian, Wai Yee & Wei Ping), our dancers and good friends Ting Feng and Wai Yee, hairstylist Eric Wee, our immediate families, my third uncle and aunt for their support, Justice of the Peace Mr Alex Tan, and Grand Shanghai assistant manager David Lim.

This story was first published in Her World Brides Sept 2016.