From The Straits Times    |

Now trending in contemporary receptions: Sleek decor against a clean and elegant colour palette, fusion cuisine and other chic options. Sharol Pek of Eternal Emotion, Anna Lim of Spellbound Weddings and Renee Leung of The Wedding Butler share their ideas.


Add a striking red accent to black and white. Plus, using long tables instead of traditional rounds, as seen in this image from The Wedding Butler, gives an edge to your reception decor.

Keeping the numbers down
Instead of large-scale dinners that usually include people you don’t even know but were invited by your parents, intimate weddings with close friends and just family are becoming popular.

Sharol says: “Cosy celebrations are all the rage these days and more couples are paring down their guest list so they have a chance to mingle.

“Think a garden wedding or a cosy restaurant or cafe serving fusion or European cuisine. Another option: A setting with long, rectangular banquet tables and flower arrangements of varying heights, so that guests can converse with the person sitting directly across from them. In fact, instead of the usual march-ins and slide shows, Eternal Emotion has been organising more weddings with interactive activities, as well as hip after-parties.”

One more thing: “Don’t discount black and white,” says Anna. “When accented with a bold hue, such as red, gold or silver, you can achieve quite a sophisticated, modern look. Another reason to add a shot of colour: “It will keep older folks, who perceive black and white to be inauspicious, happy.”


Shades of purple add drama and elegance to everything, including our bouquet and the bridesmaids’ matching posies. PHOTO: Stefanie & Robert’s wedding

According to Renee, with such weddings come equally trendy wardrobe options: “Embrace a ‘less is more’ philosophy. Choose a pretty silhouette that you can easily dance in and play up the minimalist vibe with a graphic accessory or bold headpiece. Fashionable grooms may want to consider slim-fit suits that are any colour but black or navy.”

Tuning in to technology
Besides e-mailing save-the-dates and invites, wedding websites, hashtags and mobile phone apps can help you to plan your dream wedding. Track wedding trends, find and order gowns, see what venues have to offer and score the best ideas, as well as prices for favours, cakes and other must-haves.

More advantages: Internet video calling software such as Skype and Facetime can help you to stay in touch with your entourage to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Finally, live streaming technology while you exchange vows and during the reception ensures that friends and family who are unable to attend can still be a part of the festivities.

Bending the rules
Having a modern wedding also means certain rules and traditions can be tweaked and adapted.

“For instance, your bridal party can include both your closest male and female friends. Instead of a maid of honour, have a man of honour,” says Renee. “If yours is a mixed marriage, exchange vows in each other’s mother tongues. This meaningful gesture shows respect for both your families.”

Anna recommends what she calls “express traditions” for couples who want to observe traditional ceremonies, but don’t want to place too much emphasis on them. “For instance, instead of doing the tea ceremony at both your family homes, agree to hold it for both sets of relatives at just one home. You could also have it in your hotel suite or reception venue straight after the solemnisation.”

Working the room
At the dinner, you don’t have to be stuck at the VIP table all night. Anna says: “Some couples I’ve worked with actually reserved seats for themselves at other tables because they knew they would be circulating and socialising the entire night. What a great idea!”

In another break from tradition, Sharol suggests brides honour their parents by walking down the aisle with both. Other ways to show gratitude to your parents are to offer both sides the first slices of your wedding cake before you share a piece yourselves and to thank them for all their love and support in a toast.

This article was first published in Her World Brides June – August 2014.