Singaporebrides | Real Weddings
September 2021
Jie Ying and Jun Hui’s Intimate Solemnisation at Keyaki Garden Pavilion at Pan Pacific Singapore
Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, Jie Ying and Jun Hui tied the knot in an intimate celebration at Keyaki’s Garden Pavilion.
After a romantic proposal in Japan, junior college sweethearts Jie Ying and Jun Hui had grand plans to tie the knot only to be thrown a curveball when COVID-19 struck. Despite the pandemic, the lovebirds were determined to marry after dating for a decade. After being forced to change their wedding plans a total of seven times, Jie Ying and Jun Hui finally wed in an intimate solemnisation at Keyaki’s Garden Pavilion at Pan Pacific Singapore with their closest family members in attendance.
Share with us your story. How did the two of you meet?
Jie Ying: We met as schoolmates in Meridian Junior College. I caught his attention while climbing up the stairs in the lecture theatre all the way from the opposite end.
What was it about your partner that attracted you? What do you love most about them?
Jie Ying: It was his persistence that attracted me, and I love that he never fails to make my day.
Jun Hui: For me, it was her smarts that drew me to her. I also love that her sense of humour complements mine!
How did he propose?
Jie Ying: Jun Hui proposed in the snow beside the Otaru Canal in Japan on Valentine’s Day. His friends prepared the ‘stage’ for him and waited for us in the cold. He capped off a wonderful Valentine’s Day celebration by getting down on one knee and popped the question. Everything was perfect except for the fact that the ring could not fit my puffed up finger!
Tell us about your solemnisation. What was it like planning your solemnisation during the COVID-19 pandemic? What were some of the challenges you had to face and how did you overcome them?
We held our solemnisation at Keyaki’s Garden Pavilion at Pan Pacific Singapore. Our wedding banquet was supposed to be held at one of Pan Pacific Singapore’s ballrooms, but with the COVID-19 restrictions in place, we were not able to host our banquet. When that happened, we scrambled to find an alternative venue for an intimate solemnisation with our close family members. We had seen the beautiful pavilion during our site visits and when we had to look for a smaller venue for an intimate solemnisation, we decided to have it at Keyaki’s Garden Pavilion.
Planning a wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic is nothing short of challenging, especially when we were also planning the renovation of our new home at the same time. To date, we had to change our wedding plans a total of seven times (and counting, since we have not had our wedding banquet yet!). But we decided to go ahead with an intimate solemnisation because we had chosen an auspicious date to wed. Despite the number of changes that we had to make, and may have to make in the near future, the important thing for us is that we are still marrying each other.
Take us back to your wedding day. What was the day like and how were you feeling?
Despite it being a truncated session, it was a tiring day but it was definitely worth it in the end. In the morning, we had our gatecrash games with our bridal party through Zoom. This was a completely different experience from the traditional way gatecrash games were held for weddings before COVID-19 came about, and we were very thankful that our bridal party were very sporting throughout and able to prepare for the day with such a short notice. It was also interesting to have a “symbol” of COVID-19 (Zoom) as part of our wedding! Looking back at these photographs would definitely bring back some fond memories in the years ahead.
We also felt thankful that we completed the traditional aspects of our wedding as well as our solemnisation, making us officially wedded. Now, we are left with a simple dinner celebration where we can enjoy to the fullest with our close family and friends.
What did your family/friends have to say about your solemnisation?
All of them agreed that it was a beautiful day, and were happy that we finally tied the knot after a decade of dating! They also complimented the venue, saying that it was beautiful and had Japanese vibes.
Share with us the most memorable moment of your wedding?
Jun Hui: It was definitely the moment she walked down the aisle towards me, with our closest family members cheering and clapping for us.
Jie Ying: The moment we exchanged our vows was something that we would cherish for the rest of our lives.
What is one lesson you’ve learned from your wedding planning that you’d like to share with other couples?
Regardless of the obstacles or challenges you may encounter a year, a month or even a day before your wedding day, remember that the most important thing on that day is that you are marrying the love of your life, and that will be the day you will remember forever.
The Venue: Keyaki Garden Pavilion at Pan Pacific Singapore
Size of Wedding: 38 persons
The Bride’s Gown: La Belle Couture
The Groom’s Suit: La Belle Couture
The Wedding Photographer: Wilson from Multifolds Productions
The Wedding Videographer: Marcus from Freya Films
The Hairstylist and Makeup Artist: La Belle Couture
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