18 inspiring Oriental-themed ideas from our real weddings

Cheryl Wee & Roy Fong

1/18

Here's how to make an entrance: in a hand-carried, men-powered traditional sedan - which is how Cheryl Wee, 30, actress and founder of Cheryl W Wellness & Weight Management married architect Roy Fong, 30, in the first of their three lavish celebrations that took Instagram by storm with its luxe and glamorous details.

"Our families hold traditions and heritage close to our hearts, and we like to follow our customs during important occasions while interpreting them with modern touches", says the actress.

Image by Alwin Lim of Trouve Photography

Cheryl Wee & Roy Fong

2/18

To fit the occasion of their traditional Chinese wedding ceremony, Cheryl wore a Qun Kua; an elaborately embroidered two-piece outfit that Chinese brides traditionally don for their big day, while her husband, Roy, had on a changshan with a 30's spin by adding a fedora and rounded glasses to his outfit - a look commonly seen during the era. 

After the ceremonies, her husband carried her into the bridal room – a moment they both found especially meaningful. 

See also: CHERYL WEE MARRIES WITH A TRAD CHINESE WEDDING! 9 DETAILS WE LOVE

Image by Alwin Lim of Trouve Photography

Mongchin & Matthias

3/18

Before their stunning banquet at Pan Pacific Singapore’s grand ballroom, our March cover girl, Mongchin Yeoh and her beau Matthias Lim, held an elegant tea ceremony on the gorgeous premises of Keyaki Pavilion.

Image by Bobby Kiran Yeo

Mongchin & Matthias

4/18

The bride wore a custom floor-length red cheongsam and an oriental style paneled backdrop added to the sophisticated ambience.

See also: EXCLUSIVE: COVER GIRL & INFLUENCER MONGCHIN YEOH'S STUNNING WEDDING BANQUET AT PAN PACIFIC SINGAPORE

Image by Bobby Kiran Yeo

Ken Chu & Vivien Han

5/18

For their stunning destination wedding in Bali, Taiwanese actor, singer, composer and former F4 band member Ken Chu and Chinese actress Vivien Han also included the traditional Chinese tea and gatecrashing ceremonies with their entire bridal party dressed in traditional outfits.

Image by Lens Studio Photography, part of Sanduanjin Photography

Ken Chu & Vivien Han

6/18

The groom and bride wore elaborate designs from couturier Guo Pei, while the groomsmen were in traditional tunics and the bridesmaids in cheongsam separates. 

See also: 15 STUNNING IDEAS WE LOVE FROM F4’S KEN CHU AND VIVIEN HAN WEN WEN’S WEDDING AT THE MULIA BALI

Image by Lens Studio Photography, part of Sanduanjin Photography

Jolene & Jia Hui

7/18

Jolene Chua and Tan Jiahui always knew they wanted something fun and interesting for their wedding. Inspiration hit them when the Chinese drama, Story of Yanxi Palace, came about.

Image by Bridelope Productions

Jolene & Jia Hui

8/18

“We were inspired with more ideas like having our bridal party be dressed in period costumes – princesses (格格) for the girls, scholars for the guys –and eventually pieced them up to this themed morning gatecrash."

The couple had their costumes and bridal sedan chair shipped from Taobao and even managed to keep to their budget!

See also: A YANXI PALACE-INSPIRED WEDDING GATECRASH - HOW THIS SINGAPORE COUPLE PULLED IT OFF

Image by Bridelope Productions

Wu Fan & Mark

9/18

Wu Fan, and Mark Tan had an informal, modern oriental-themed celebration for 600 guests at Shangri-La Singapore, and to match their theme, instead of going with a white bridal gown, the bride chose to wear red - her favourite colour and very auspicious for traditional Chinese weddings.

Image by Androids in Boots

Wu Fan & Mark

10/18

How cute is this! The wedding party's outfits, including what the flower girl and page boy had on, and invitations reflected their oriental theme.

"We asked guests to dress up according to the theme. Many turned up in dragon robes and peony dresses, and went around complimenting or making fun of each other’s outfits. It was a blast", shares the couple.

Image by Androids in Boots

Wu Fan & Mark

11/18

Instead of the traditional bouquet toss from the bride to her bridesmaids, the groom tossed a red ball made of silk instead to his groomsmen. 

See also: 6 WAYS TO HAVE A MODERN ORIENTAL WEDDING IN SINGAPORE

Image by Androids in Boots

Felicia & Wee

12/18

For Felicia & Wee's banquet at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, the couple went for an Oriental-meets-retro vibe. 

"As our dinner banquet was primarily for our families and relatives, we went with a nostalgic retro theme that had elements of our heritage and upbrining, making it most memorable," says Wee.

The ballroom stage had a Oriental-themed backdrop with plenty of traditional Chinese motifs and elements. 

Image by Feldberyl Images​

Felicia & Wee

13/18

For their reception area, the couple installed an old school kopitiam backdrop, inspired by the coffee shop that the bride's father used to run, which had painted paper fans, illustrated posters, glass bottled with metal caps, porcelain vases and even a marble table with wooden chairs! 

See also: AN ORIENTAL AND RETRO-THEMED WEDDING BANQUET AT THE RITZ-CARLTON MILLENIA SINGAPORE

Image by Feldberyl Images​

Wan Ting & Desmond

14/18

Ng Wan Ting and Desmond Peh celebrated their nuptials tinged with oriental and rustic accents in a Shanghai-inspired retro themed wedding.

The bride wore a stunning white floor-length lace cheongsam instead of a bridal gown, and had two more outfit changes which were cheongsams as well!

Image by Daniel Beh Photography

Wan Ting & Desmond

15/18

They paid homage to Singapore in the 60s and 70s with their bridal dressed in retro outfits (headbands anyone?), and drove around with vintage camper vans! 

Image by Daniel Beh Photography

Wan Ting & Desmond

16/18

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.

See also: 10 BEAUTIFUL IDEAS FOR A RETRO SHANGHAI NIGHT WEDDING

Image by Daniel Beh Photography

Sheena & Ben

17/18

Sheena Cheong and Benjamin Song, both 31, had a retro Shanghai night extravaganza with live getai and lion dance performances.

"To create a venue that fitted our wedding theme, we transformed the hall at the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations into a vintage Shanghainese lounge with harem tents, drapes and lighting.

Sheena selected each decor item and decided where they should go. Guests were encouraged to come in traditional Chinese attire – or at least the fashion of the time," says Ben.

Image by Stanstills Photography​

Sheena & Ben

18/18

A real-life trishaw (that you could sit on) and lanterns were part of their interactive photo-taking corner for their guests. 

“My in-laws are very traditional, so we wanted a theme and celebration that they would find enjoyable,” says Sheena.

See also: A RETRO SHANGHAI NIGHT WEDDING WITH GETAI AND LION DANCE PERFORMANCES!

Image by Stanstills Photography​