12 ideas to steal from this concert-themed wedding

Singer/performer/vocal coach Benjamin Eio, and Singapore Airlines cabin crew member, Celeste Xu, had a concert-themed wedding with lots of singing and dancing. P.S. Former Singapore Idol finalist and actor Nat Ho was best man!

By Felicia Tan - 15 Sep 2016

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Thanks, Friendster! We met 10 years ago on the now-defunct social media site, Friendster. We became friends and then slowly drifted apart. Six years later, we found each other on Facebook and discovered we actually enjoyed each other’s company. I was experiencing a terrible situation then and he was there for me. In time, I fell in love with him.

Hotel proposal I was with Ben’s parents at the Ritz Carlton Singapore hotel lounge when a waitress handed me an iPad. A video of him travelling to places we’d gone to on dates was playing. When it ended, he appeared in the lounge, by the grand piano, and sang our favourite song Always On My Mind. He proposed afterwards. Then we went up to the hotel suite he’d booked and had decorated with fairy lights as well as the photos we’d taken together. I was surprised when friends and family members appeared to congratulate us.

During the ceremony I was excited, nervous and incredibly happy to be having a Christian solemnisation.

Let there be love and music We went with a concert-themed dinner as we wanted to be lively and fun for all. The fairy lights added a magical, romantic feel.

Coulda, shoulda, woulda The seating for dinner could have been better organised. There was some confusion as guests who’d not confirmed their attendance also showed up. We should have settled the final number a week before the actual day instead of earlier and informed everyone we’d invited that seating was limited. We would have gotten two videographers to capture more varied angles, too, if we’d known that having just the one wasn’t enough.

This wedding was first published in Her World Brides June 2016.

12 ideas to steal from this concert-themed wedding

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Fun, spontaneous shots for the album are a must.

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The couple and their wedding party.

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The venue, dressed with drapes and fairy lights, was romantic and magical.

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Sweet treats before dinner!

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The pretty, vintage-inspired photo display with their pre-wedding snaps in the foyer.

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A perfect finish to their dance performance at the reception.

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Cutting into the towering cake before dinner.

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Celeste looked stunning in her figure-hugging mermaid gown while Benjamin (or Ben) looked sharp in his maroon suit.

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Love lights welcomed guests to their celebration.

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Ben and his groomsmen clearly loved the photo booth. Spot the famous face in there, too!

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Guests had a choice of favours: a luggage tag or a Swarovski pen. The former represented Celeste's job as a flight attendant.

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Checklist

Venue Soleminsation: Thomson Road Baptist Church (6256-2277); dinner reception: Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay (6338-3333)

Wardrobe Gowns and suit: Bridal Concept (6333-9411); custom gown: Yvonne Creative Bridal (6227-8830)

Hair, makeup, photography & videography Tiffany Huang, Kok Seong Lok and Mac Wong of Bridal Concept

Decor Church flowers: Flora D’amour (amelin0123@yahoo.com.sg); banquet: Inside The Knot (Rubina Tiyu, www.insidetheknot.com)

Special thanks to Wayne Chua for emceeing. William Soh of Royal Entertainment for sponsoring part of the Bridal Concept bridal package. Daniel Lee of Universal Wealth Group for sponsoring the limousine. Lee Hoon, May Ann and Benjamin Lim for coordinating and church decorations. Shanti Gomes for the dance choreography. Aaron Lim for the rehearsals and piano playing. Jacky Chew for singing and performing. Nat Ho for being the best man and performing. Sally Tan of Bridal Concept for helping to select the owns and suits. Waikit for the video montage. Also to bridesmaids Valerie Koo, Sophia Koo, Valerie Lua, Trisha Chong, Yiwei Cai, and Kimberly Eio, as well as groomsmen Sebastian Eio, Dennis Heng, Jonathan Eio, and Nicholas Eio) for their help and support.