Singaporebrides | Real Weddings
June 2022
Mariana and Kelvin’s Captivating 1920s Shanghai Inspired Pre-Wedding Shoot at 酒庄 Jiu Zhuang Dempsey
Mariana and Kelvin takes us back to 1920s Shanghai with their stunning pre-wedding shoot at 酒庄 Jiu Zhuang.
Mariana and Kelvin were introduced to each other by a mutual friend who knew about the similarities in their interests and hobbies. Their love for outdoor activities brought them together and eventually, love blossomed. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Mariana and Kelvin had to settle for a pre-wedding shoot in Singapore. They were looking for a venue with a unique and traditional concept, and they found it at the 1920s Shanghai inspired 酒庄 Jiu Zhuang at Dempsey. Sneak a peek at their captivating pre-wedding shoot here!
What drew you to each other?
Our love for similar hobbies and interests brought us together. As we both enjoy outdoor activities and each other’s company very much, we had the wonderful opportunity of getting to know each other in a relaxed environment and setting as we soak in the nature around us. Our first date was a hike from Mount Faber Park, Henderson Waves, Hort Park, and back. Our subsequent dates were also outdoor activities, such as cycling and kayaking, followed by enjoying our favourite food together.
What is it about your partner that you love the most?
Mariana: I love Kelvin for everything he is. He is very patient with me, caring and reliable. I can always go to him for anything, and I know he will always be by my side.
Kelvin: I love Mariana very much. She is very kind, caring, energetic and lovely. She injects a lot of happiness into our lives, and we complement and complete each other very well in many areas.
What was the proposal like?
The proposal was a surprise and very special to me. It was during the COVID-19 period where there were many restrictions, but Kelvin still managed to surprise me. He bought a drone and took me to an open field in between Marina Bay Sands and the Cruise Center. He told me that he was going to practice taking videos with a drone and would like me to be the star of the video. There was no one else there at the time and we had the whole field to ourselves. He flew the drone in a boomerang route which required me to turn 360 degrees. By the time the drone returned and I was done turning the full round, Kelvin was on his knees. I said “yes” and it was a very happy moment for us !!
We later shared the video that was taken during the proposal, and our guests were impressed. Some of guests even felt that Kelvin was a more romantic person than I am because of it!
Tell us about your pre-wedding shoot. Why did you choose an oriental theme for your photoshoot?
We chose 酒庄 Jiu Zhuang at Dempsey Hills for their 1920s Shanghai inspired decor with a beautiful Chinese cabinet bar display, which served as our backdrop. We wanted something different with a traditional feel that would bring out the best of our outfits and expressions, and that we both enjoy and feel comfortable with.
The cheongsam I wore was custom-made by a tailor in Indonesia. The designs on the dress were handpicked by me. We had several virtual calls to settle the sizing, materials, colours and so on. It was then flown to Singapore where we had a virtual fitting, before it was sent back for final adjustments.
Not only did the cheongsam fit our photoshoot theme perfectly, I also wore it for the traditional parts of my wedding, like our Chinese tea ceremony and so on.
Take us back to the shoot. What was the day like and how were you feeling?
It was our second pre-wedding shoot (we had a separate outdoor shoot in Sentosa a few months earlier), so my makeup artist already knew how to bring out the best of my features. When we arrived 酒庄 Jiu Zhuang, the first thing that Kelvin did was to order a whisky from the 酒庄 Jiu Zhuang bar. Our photographer was also very excited about the venue as it was his first time there, and I was busy trying to make sure my dress and makeup were in order. After a few drinks at the bar, the photoshoot became even more fun. It turned out exactly the way we wanted!
Were there any challenges while planning or during the shoot?
Even though I couldn’t travel to Indonesia for the fitting of my cheongsam, I still managed to work around the current situation and managed to get it done virtually for our pre-wedding shoot.
The COVID-19 restrictions in place then also meant that we had to keep the number of participants to a bare minimum. So, as much as would have liked our bridal party to be involved, we could only have our photographer there with us.
Share with us one funny or memorable moment from your pre-wedding shoot.
The day of our photoshoot day was coincidentally the same day Kelvin came to my place to raise the marriage proposal with my parents, since it was also an auspicious day, so it was extremely memorable. It was extremely fun to be able to time travel back to the old Shanghai days simply by doing the photoshoot.
Do you have any advice for couples who are planning or embarking on their pre-wedding shoot, or are planning their wedding?
Our best advice would be to just have lots of fun and be flexible with any changes! We encountered several bumps during the planning of our pre-wedding shoots and made the best of the circumstance that were in, and the results were equally amazing. So, just make the best of your current situation, enjoy the process and await the beautiful outcome!
The Venue: 酒庄 Jiu Zhuang
The Bride’s Gown: Royale Collier
The Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo
The Groom’s Suit: Groom’s own
The Groom’s Shoes: Groom’s own
The Pre-Wedding Photographer: Mike Chen Photography
The Wedding Bands: Love & Co.
The Hairstylist and Makeup Artist: ByPattcia
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