Asia Weddings

Claire and Christopher got married in the bustling city of Hong Kong, so their wish for an ultra romantic, rustic chic wedding was quite a tall order. Luckily they found just the right venue and thoughtfully designed every detail – from fashion to flowers and beyond – to reflect that vision. Of course, their amazing vendor crew rose to the occasion and Hilary Chan + AP Studio captured every moment.

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From the bride, Claire… I love rustic country style which is difficult to find in a modern city like Hong Kong. So Hong Kong Country club is the best location for us with that stunning panoramic view of the South Ocean!

I felt the wedding is more of a romantic affair, so I chose a lace mermaid wedding dress from Monique L’huillier. The beautiful floral details and florets on the dress itself made a perfect match to the floral aisle entrance at Hong Kong Country Club. For the reception dress, I wanted something reflective of my own energetic personality so I chose a dress that was a light fabric and allowed me to run around and socialize with our guests.

I wanted my bridesmaids to have a very chic & feminine look on the day. Personally, I like soft colors like blush and nude, but to create that chic look I asked my tailor to customize the structures on the bridesmaid dresses and include structural fabrics as opposed to traditional bridesmaid dresses.

For the outdoor ceremony, I asked my florist to create sleek floral crowns alongside beautiful bridesmaids bouquets of blush and ivory to add that little floral detail when they all walked down the aisle with me. It was such a soft & romantic moment!

Photography: Hilary Chan Photography | Videography: Ap Studio | Event Styling: Terrain Styles | Floral Design: JF Floral Couture | Wedding Dress: Central Weddings | Wedding Cake: The Sweet Spot | Ceremony Venue: The Hong Kong Country Club | Wedding Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Hair + Makeup: Chiali Meng | Groom's Suit: Moda Republic | Banquet Reception Production: The Wedding Garden | Bridesmaid Robes: The Lace Atelier | Bridesmaids Hair + Makeup: Gabbie Lee | Invitation Design + Calligraphy: Life At Studio B | Reception Dinner: Four Seasons Hong Kong | Ring Boxes: The Mrs Box | Second Wedding Dress: Trinity Bridal | Signage: Mulberry Market Designs | Wedding Album: Heirloom Bindery

With Hong Kong as one of the most densely-packed urban metropolises on Earth, you might be surprised to learn that this bustling city is actually made up of 70% green space. Photographer Brumley and Wells certainly was! He captured this darling duo in some of the quietest garden areas of the city, and this gallery couldn’t be any lovelier.

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From Brumley and Wells… Hong Kong is surprisingly green. As a film photographer who typically seeks out the serene beauty of remote landscapes, I was nervous about the prospects of shooting in Hong Kong. I didn’t know what to expect. Turns out, Hong Kong is made up of 70% green space, and the possibilities were endless – mountains, water, beaches, orchards. For Stefen and Yoyo’s engagement session, we focussed on the soft colors of bougainvilleas and a small orchard near the shore, where we finished the shoot at sunset looking back towards Hong Kong Island.

Photography: Brumley & Wells | Film Lab: Mammum Film Lab

This adorable international couple (he from London; she from California) wanted their engagement session to fully represent where they met and fell in love, and if this stunningly vibrant gallery of images from Ann-Kathrin Koch, set in the multi-cultural epicenter of Hong Kong, doesn’t inspire some serious wanderlust in you, then I don’t know what will.

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Although we are planning a destination wedding, I wanted to take our engagement photos in the place we met and fell in love, and I could not have asked for a more incredible backdrop than Hong Kong. As cliche as it is to say, Hong Kong really is a unique fusion of the East and West and old and new, which translates to countless photo opportunities! To take advantage of the city’s visually stunning juxtapositions, I chose places like Man Mo Temple, a vibrant red temple tucked in between towering skyscrapers, and the Star Ferry, a cross-harbor ferry that offers beautiful harbor and skyline views and has been operating since 1888. These places are also special to us as they are either within walking distance of our home or somewhere we frequent.

The right photographer was very important to us as we wanted to avoid cheesy engagement photos (otherwise Tim wouldn’t have agreed to take the portraits!). After much wedding blog-researching, I immediately knew Ann-Kathrin Koch was also “the one” as soon as I saw her work. She has a keen ability to capture natural and candid but still well-crafted portraits, complimented by her incredible use of light. We also really appreciated Ann’s laidback style that helped put us at ease during a process that can feel very awkward! We are so grateful to Ann for so elegantly capturing our love story on film, which I know we will look back on fondly in our old age and hopefully living somewhere less hectic.

Photography: Ann-Kathrin Koch Photography

Elopements seem to be coming across our desk more and more. Not just city hall style versions though, full scale weddings built only for two. And we sort of love it. So needless to say, this inspiration from Alea Lovely and Victorian Gardens, hit a note of perfection in our book. With a handful of different style options (not all shown so make sure to click the gallery!) and table decor, this is the very definition of pretty.

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Starting with a striking non-traditional high-low lavender gown for the couple’s mountain peak engagement session, we subtly coordinated the colors without being too matchy-matchy as a nice way to show how to bring a theme to your photo shoot without stifling each person’s personal style. We took this engagement session just a notch up by adding a flower crown and bouquet because who doesn’t love a reason to carry a beautiful bouquet. The Groom-to-be wore a nice brown tweed vest and matching pants that complemented the natural lavender and green color palette of this beautiful location.

For the ceremony, we used a more traditional (in the color sense) white gown. But when you look at the gown, it’s anything but ordinary. The gorgeous sheer sleeves, intricate detail and A-line structure would make any bride feel like a princess. The custom gold flower crown added a vintage touch to this modern fairytale. Adding a little bit of blush for the reception gown and making it strapless for a bit more comfort, it seems that more and more brides are opting for a second dress to be able to honor their traditions and personal style during their day. But in this shoot we did not only focus on the Bride; the Groom needed to look just as stylish to rival such beautiful gowns.

Our Groom, sporting a grey velvet tie complementing a fitted blue European-style suit, is on trend with any gown a modern bride would wear. I think it’s important to think about your groom during this process in making sure he is comfortable but also looks just as good. You are the bride but this day is about two people so the groom should look and feel as great as you do. I learned a world of things this year about grooms’ style from www.mrbaldwinstyle.com, and there is more to dressing men than just a suit. The ins and outs about fit, neck size, sleeve length, inseam, lapel pins… the works, seems even more complex than what us girls have to deal with getting dressed. It’s important to make your groom a priority and learn together about what he likes and how to make him look good.

Sometimes we get very wrapped up in the details. So we wanted to simplify things a little bit for the Bride, who wants all the beauty but scaled down. Flowers are a way to make anything look more beautiful and the usage of bouquets and centerpieces were stunning arrangements that would make any small gathering look glamorous.

I’ve always thought it would be fun to be a honeymoon photographer (shameless plug for anyone interested haha) but I know a lot of brides have that moment after it’s all over where they feel like it went by way too fast. One way we wanted to extend your wedding bliss into your honeymoon is by implementing a gorgeous couture cape as a beachy statement piece for onlookers that says, ” Hey, we we just got married,” because who doesn’t love the added “Congratulations!” The piece was a perfect addition that gave our Bride just a little more frosting to the honeymoon cake.

Photography: Alea Lovely | Event Planning: Mr. Baldwin Style | Event Styling: Victorian Gardens | Floral Design: Ellermann | Wedding Dress: Vivian Luk | Invitations: Announce This Design | Makeup: Gary Chung | Hair : Kelly Mak | Elopement Sign: Announce This Design | Gold Hair Band: Emmy Ray | Men's Attire Stylist/Model : Johan Khalilian | Print : Lindsay Letters | Silk Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Tulle Applique Cape: Emmy Ray

If you’re anything like I was as a newly engaged bride-to-be, researching venues is a full-time job! But for you lucky New England couples, the search just may be over. Enter the Hyatt Regency Cambridge. Overlooking the Charles River and featuring breathtaking Boston skyline views, this spot is a must see.

If a city wedding is your cup of tea, it just doesn’t get much prettier than the Hyatt Regency Cambridge. Boasting incredible 180-degree panoramic city views from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the 16th floor Charles View Ballroom, there’s nothing not to like. Prefer an outdoor spot to say I do? They’ve got you covered with the Riverside Pavilion which can accommodate up to 150 guests in a gorgeous white tent with French windows, stunning chandeliers and a beautiful garden patio. No matter your style or taste as a couple, the Hyatt Regency Cambridge can make your wedding dreams a reality.

I’ll admit, I’m a little bit jealous of you New England couples right now! And now’s the time to book your big day at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge, because you can enjoy free honeymoon nights at any Hyatt Hotels and Resorts location worldwide! From incredible tropical resorts to exciting city hotels in 45 countries around the globe, you can choose your perfect destination for your first trip as a married couple.  Simply book and hold your wedding at a participating Hyatt hotel by December 31, 2015 and you’ll earn Hyatt Gold Passport® bonus points redeemable for free nights with no blackout dates at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts worldwide.

This Hong Kong fete right here? It’s everything a beach wedding should be. A laid back celebration on the sand, King Proteas for a pop of color and palm trees for days. Bliss Creations planned the soiree to perfection and with Derek Ko behind the lens, you can kick back in one lovely gallery!

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From Bliss Creations… Bride Noortje and Groom Rutger met while at university in the Netherlands, moved to South Africa for a few years when they were dating, and finally ended in Hong Kong as an engaged couple ready to celebrate their union. They wanted a wedding that “perfectly reflected their lives in Hong Kong” while still showing some of their history in other parts of the world.

The day started on a secluded beach on Lantau Island in Hong Kong, just steps away from the couple’s home. After an intimate ceremony and cocktails on the beach, the guests moved to a nearby beach lounge and had a sit down dinner on the lawn. A family style dinner, live guitarist and speeches from the parents of the couple gave a romantic atmosphere. “We lived in South Africa for a few years before moving to HK, and thus wanted to incorporate some of that into the wedding. We had a spitroast of lamb and King Protea flowers in the bridal bouquet and other arrangements. Also, we used South African wines and champagne,” says bride Noortje of incorporating the couple’s time abroad into the wedding.

After dinner the party moved onto two private boats which whisked everyone away to Central Hong Kong where guests partied until late in the night while overlooking the infamous Hong Kong skyline. “For the Hong Kong touch, we had a traditional lion dance when we got to the pier in Central,” she adds.

The couple wanted to ensure that it was a very special event incorporating their time together. “Being on the beach, seeing how beautiful everything and everyone looked was the most special part of the day. Having people from all our walks of life there to celebrate this day with us – we had 36 people flying in from all over the world. All these people, combined with the presence of our HK friends, made it truly special.” Guests commented that it was an amazing, unique day and reflected Noortje and Rutger’s lives perfectly.

The couple knew that they had a complex wedding, even though it looked effortless. “I loved the fact that there we so many components but it all felt very natural, I don’t think the guests realized how much could have gone wrong, so very it was a successful planning and execution from Bliss Creations. Guests commented on how everything was arranged into such details, they all felt pampered,” says Noortje.

The couple honeymooned in Phu Quoc, Vietnam for four days following the celebrations.

Photography: Derek Ko | Videographer: Derek Ko | Wedding Planner: Bliss Creations | Flowers: SAFE Flowers (Cape Town) | Wedding Dress: Hitched! | After Party: Pier 7 | Ceremony / Dinner Venue: Palm Beach | Groom Suit: Jantzen Tailor | Wedding Rings: Debeers

Inspired by chinoiserie and intimate weddings of East Asia, Carmen Weddings teamed up with a group of mega-talented vendors including Jada Poon Photography, Bridelicious and Divine Floreal to craft this dream of a shoot. Think a gorgeous palette of peach and moody blues, the perfect alfresco setting and details that can easily be tucked into your upcoming destination wedding and you have a little inkling of what this photo shoot entails. Have a look at the full gallery for more as well as the film behind the day captured by Allora Visuals below.

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From Carmen Weddings… Inspired by intimate weddings and East Asia, Bridelicious and I created this Chinoiserie Chic shoot, which was designed on the premise of multi-cultured couples, by modernising traditional Chinese props and bringing it in line with Western concepts.

Our idea was to show how weddings in this vibrant city can be small and personalised, with an emphasis on DIY details and decorative items that can be easily found in Hong Kong; Bridelicious had birdcages and bamboo steamers painted, napkin rings were made using Chinese motifs and the bride and groom’s chair decoration were made using jade beads. We used a mixture of soft, elegant flowers and bright coral flowers gorgeously put together by Divine Floreal and paired with pops of teal coloured tea tins and bamboo steamers to create a modern and playful setting. Carnations are rarely used in Hong Kong weddings and we wanted to show how versatile and pretty this type of flower could be.

Most of the weddings in Hong Kong are held in hotel ballrooms which can sometimes be stifling, not only for the bride and groom but also the guests. From the outset, our aim was to team up with a venue that is both intimate and beautiful; to create a feeling of being a million miles away from the bustling city. One Thirty One in Sai Kung was the perfect location for our shoot, with the outdoor space as well as the British inspired wooden panelled interior, which added a sophisticated touch. We were also mindful that the shoot was a reflection of Hong Kong talent and therefore, chose mainly Hong Kong based vendors to collaborate with.

We chose this particular dress by Ranee K as she creatively transforms the Cheongsam (the Chinese dress that’s traditionally long with short sleeves) into a gown that can be worn by modern brides who usually seek for more Western-styled wedding dresses. As much as we could, we made sure to tie in the different elements from different vendors together, be it the water coloured invitation suite designed by Kalo Make Art with the dessert table that was deliciously created by Patisseries A Legna.

We were both in awe of Jada Poon’s photography, and her perfection in creating fine art images was exactly what we had in mind. She beautifully captured the details and the fabulous views at this stunning venue, bringing out the best in all the vendors.

Photography: Jada Poon Photography | Film: Allora Visuals | Design + Styling: Bridelicious | Floral Design: Divine Floreal | Wedding Dress: Ranee K | Stationery: Kalo Make Art | Hair + Makeup: She Make Up Studio | Venue: One Thirty One | Bridal Accessories: Littledate | Bridal Shoes: DYOS | Cake + Desserts: Patisseries A Legna | Chair Rentals: Ginger | Planning + Design: Carmen Weddings