Singaporebrides | Real Weddings
September 2015
Audrie and Eugene’s Dreamy Pre-Wedding Shoot
Our lovely Sub-Editor Audrie and her man Eugene got hitched! Their road to happily ever after began five years ago, when sparks flew over work lunches. Last year, Eugene popped the question with a beautiful bespoke ring. After years of producing beautiful inspirational content for other brides, it was only natural that Audrie’s own engagement session would turn out lovely! Their dreamy pre-wedding shoot is full of light-filled, natural photos that tell a story of love. We’re so happy for the two of them!
Audrie Soh, 28, Sub-Editor of SingaporeBrides & Eugene Cheong, 31, Partner Marketeer
12 December 2014
The Wedding Gown: Gowns Villa
The Groom’s Suit: Gowns Villa; G2000 (Shirt)
The Groom’s Shoes: Pedro
The Hairstylist and Makeup Artist: Tangyong Makeup
The Hand Bouquet: Inside the Knot (self-arranged by bride)
The Engagement Ring: Fairy’s Inc.
The Photographer: Fiona Sng from Smittenpixels Photography
How did the two of you meet?
Audrie: We met close to five years ago at our first jobs. I first saw him in the conference room when I was being introduced to the rest of my colleagues. Because our colleagues were around the same age, we often hung out together as a group during lunch or for dinner after work. Nothing special really blossomed during that time, even though I secretly appreciated his tall and lanky physique, until a good friend of mine told me of a little rumour he had heard.
We have different versions of how we started noticing each other, but we started to interact more as a pair. We would often get teased about his frequent visits to my corner in the office.
What was the proposal like?
Audrie: My proposal didn’t come as a surprise for many reasons. For one, we customised my engagement ring together at Fairy’s Inc., so I knew a proposal was due sometime soon. Then, Eugene did something he never does—ask me which day I was free and make dinner plans beforehand. So I knew he was up to something, and since our anniversary was over, I knew he was going to propose.
However, I did not know how he was going to propose, so I was kept in anticipation the whole day. I kept trying to guess where he was bringing me for dinner and where he was going to propose the whole time. But he was being very coy about it. He even tricked me into thinking he was going to work in a casual attire of polo tee and jeans. So I was pleasantly surprised when he turned up in a shirt and tie, with a bouquet of flowers. We had dinner at Privé at Chijmes, a restaurant that I’ve always wanted to visit, before taking a leisurely stroll towards Robertson Quay. There, he blindfolded me with his tie (which was the real reason why he wore a tie!) and led me to a room at Park Avenue Hotel where he got down on one knee.
I don’t remember what he said during that moment, really. But I had a lot of fun trying to guess how and where he was going to propose, and was very impressed that he managed to pack an overnight bag for me with nearly all my essential items.
Tell us more about the search for your engagement ring. How did you end up customising your ring at Fairy’s Inc.?
Audrie: We both have different versions of whose idea it was to shop for a ring together, but it was after a gym session that we decided to browse for engagement rings. I wanted a say in picking my ring because I wanted it to be a piece of jewellery that I would love and wear all the time, especially since Eugene was going to splurge on it.
So we checked out all our possible options before we settled on Fairy’s Inc. My jeweller, Sandra, made us feel at home at their bright and cosy boutique, explaining to us the process of ring customisation, educating us on how to shop for a diamond, and showing us samples of their handiwork.
She was extremely helpful during the whole process, even sharing some wedding planning tips with us, and she fully understood what I wanted my ring to look like—feminine, romantic, and dainty with intricate details—and produced a ring that was exactly that. Now, I can’t stop looking at my ring.
Sandra did such a wonderful job with my engagement ring that I returned to her, together with my mother, to pick out some pieces for my dowry. To keep the cost within our budget, I decided to pick a necklace and earring set—jewellery pieces that I have lesser chances of knocking onto things or losing. I had a difficult time picking from her ready-to-go collection of one-of-a-kind pieces, but a pair of dangling heart-shaped diamond earrings had my whole attention. The only “problem” with it, was that it was in white gold. I’m obsessed with the pink tones of rose gold, and knowing that, Sandra offered to plate the pair of earrings in rose gold for me. She also designed a matching heart-shaped necklace formed by smaller diamonds in rose gold to complement the pair of earrings. Needless to say, I am in love with my dowry.
Eugene, tell us more about how you planned and executed the proposal.
Eugene: I picked a date that was easy to remember. The date that we got together is 11th Nov 2010, or 111110. So I decided to go for 12th December 2014, or 121214.
Next, I thought back and reflected on what she had always complained that she wanted. She wanted flowers. She wanted to go to Privé Keppel for lunch or dinner and a staycation. All of which I had not wanted to splurge on.
Privé Keppel was really too far, and it would be very obvious that I would propose to her there. Luckily, there was a Privé in Chijmes that she did not know of. With the venue decided, I went ahead to book a bouquet of gerbera daisies, the flowers that she said she loved, and a staycation at Park Avenue Robertson. I booked it because I love the area there, and there are cafés that we can go to in the morning after the proposal.
Lastly, I dumped all her facial stuff, contact lenses, and change of clothes, and our soft toys into the luggage. It was no big deal. Checked into the hotel, prepped the bed, and it was time to let the action begin.
Share with us the concept of your dreamy pre-wedding shoot. Was there a theme?
Audrie: There wasn’t a theme per se, but I wanted our photos to showcase plenty of sunlight, open fields, and us at home. We took the at-home shots at Lloyd’s Inn because our new home isn’t ready yet, and the layout and decor of the Big Skyroom resembled our vision for our home. I was hoping to catch the beautiful orange hues of the sunset, but unfortunately, it was a cloudy day, so no sunset. Regardless, our photos turned out beautiful.
What was the day of the pre-wedding shoot like?
Audrie: We had to wake up really early—4am—to get our hair and makeup done before the sun rose so we could capture the best morning light. I guess I was feeling a little excited because I couldn’t stop counting down the number of things we had to do on the day of the shoot, so I only managed about two hours of quality sleep before my alarm rang. The scene in our room at Lloyd’s Inn before Valerie arrived for hair and makeup was quite hilarious. We were both doing last minute planks and push-ups on the floor, giving one last boost to our muscles for the shoot.
The pre-wedding shoot was an eye-opener for me. It was part fun, part awkwardness, and plenty of hard work and exhaustion. We both had fun during the shoot, but we both also agree that we likely would not embark on another pre-wedding shoot if we had a chance. It was simply too exhausting! We were both sapped by lunchtime that day and went about our daily routine the next day like we had a hangover from a night of intense partying.
What was it like working with Fiona from Smittenpixels Photography and Valerie from Tangyong Makeup?
Audrie: It was great working with both Fiona and Valerie! Fiona’s very sweet, and really prompt in her replies and rendered help in narrowing down our suggested locations for the shoot. Both Eugene and I are more used to being behind the camera than in front of it, so we were rather uncertain of how we should pose or look in front of it. Fiona helped us relax in front of the camera and directed us throughout the shoot to get the shots that we wanted. For me, it was also easier with her being a female as well, which makes wardrobe malfunctions less embarrassing and awkward.
I was amazed at how chirpy and easygoing Valerie was so early in the morning that day, and that really brightened up my day. Despite sending her a reference photo of the makeup and hair-do I wanted only the night before, she managed to skilfully whip up a similar updo with my barely-shoulder-length hair. Needless to say, I loved what she did for me.
Were there any memorable or funny moments during the shoot? Perhaps you could share one or two with us.
Audrie: I find it really hard to smile or appear blissful on command, so whenever Fiona prompted me to smile, I looked really awkward. So, Eugene had to tickle me around my back or tell me ridiculous things to make me smile or laugh naturally. And it was very obvious in the photos when I was told to smile on command and when I did it naturally. Being a model is sooooo difficult!
Overall, we had a blast with Fiona during the shoot. We were really tired at the end of the day, but it was truly an experience of a lifetime that every soon-to-be-wed couple should go through together once.
Credits: Images by Smittenpixels Photography
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