Singaporebrides | Real Weddings
November 2015
Clara and Lawrence’s Sky Garden Solemnisation
After celebrating iFly Singapore’s fourth anniversary and introducing a refurbished Rooftop Sky Garden in June, managing director Lawrence Koh and his lovely wife, Clara, became the first couple to tie the knot at the beautiful rooftop garden terrace, against a glorious sunset and spectacular fireworks display.
Clara Chua, 35, Veterinary Surgeon & Lawrence Koh, 39, Managing Director of iFly Singapore
27 & 28 September 2015
The Gown: Bridal Veil by Michelle Huimin
The Suit: The Men’s Club
The Wedding Venue: Sky Garden @ iFly Singapore and Capella Singapore
The Makeup Artist and Hairstylist: Candy T from Lightedpixels Photography
The Videographer: Filming Art
The Photographer: Kelvin Koh from Lightedpixels Photography and Jonathan Wijaya from Live Studios
Tell us about your beginning.
We met at the University of Bristol 15 years ago when I was studying Avionics Systems Engineering while Clara pursued Veterinary Science. I returned to Singapore after graduation, but Clara stayed on to complete her degree and work in the United Kingdom. Our courtship was long distance, with frequent flights over to visit her almost every quarter, until in 2011, when she moved back to Singapore at the same time iFly Singapore was started.
Where and how did you pop the question?
I got down on one knee in Paris last year. After a romantic stroll from Notre-Dame Cathedral to the Eiffel Tower, I proposed whilst singing “Can I say something crazy? Will you marry me?” – a line from Frozen‘s “Love is an Open Door”, her favourite movie at the time.
How was your wedding planning like?
Like every other couple, we started thinking of what we wanted for our wedding a year in advance. Having spent most of our courtship in the United Kingdom, Clara wanted a garden themed solemnisation against the sunset with a nice sea view and fireworks display to remind them of this time in their lives.
Coincidentally, I was looking to transform the iFly Singapore’s rooftop into an event space. So, we designed and built the Sky Garden into the perfect solemnisation venue for us and other couples who dream of a rooftop wedding with a sea view.
We also hosted a dinner banquet at Capella Sentosa for our relatives and friends because its round ballroom reminded Clara of the magical ballroom in Beauty and the Beast, where Belle and the Beast shared a dance under a star-lit sky. We even took up foxtrot lessons so that Clara could glide across the dance floor, just like Belle did in the animated movie.
Once we had our venues settled, the rest of the pieces, such as our wedding gown and suit and wedding favours, quickly fell into place via recommendations.
Your family and friends must have had nothing but praises for your solemnisation and wedding.
Indeed! Initially, we thought they may feel that a 2-day wedding celebration may be a little long and draggy. But they thoroughly enjoyed the different venues and themes. They loved how organised the registration and programme were and above all else, they were impressed by our first dance.
Share with us an especially memorable or special moment that happened during your two day celebration.
Clara: Oh, the day was filled with many such moments! Our first dance was especially memorable to us, as it was the first time we’ve danced in our 15 years of courtship, and it is definitely a dance that we’ll remember till the end of days! And of course, the video Lawrence made for me, using one of our favourite songs, depicting our growing up and courtship years, and animating our growing old together, is a special gift I will always hold close to my heart.
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