Singaporebrides | Real Weddings
January 2025
Valenisha and Shaun’s Wedding at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Valenisha and Shaun’s shared love for dance led them to one another. Love blossomed and the lovebirds said “I do” to forever at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel.
Valenisha and Shaun, both 32 years old, first met during one of the local street dance studio’s annual recital. They were in the same K-pop item with nearly 30 dancers, and sparks flew when Valenisha helped Shaun with his make-up for the first time during one of the full-dress rehearsals. After a surprise proposal, the lovebirds chose to tie the knot at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, surrounded by their family and friends who turned up to celebrate their special day with them.
What do you love the most about your partner?
Shaun: I appreciate the selflessness that Val has consistently shown while she was leading the entire item during our weekly dance practices at the Esplanade underground.
Valenisha: I noticed that Shaun would always look after the other recital mates – when we eat out as a big group, he would talk to the quieter people to make sure that no one is left out.
What was the proposal like?
Shaun: I wanted to propose at a dance studio because we met through dance. I enlisted the help of three of Val’s best friends and my close friends to prepare the set-up in the studio while I brought her out for our third year anniversary. When we arrived at the studio, a video compilation of clips from our friends from all over the world describing our relationship in three words started playing. After that, I gave a little speech. I had also invited Val’s parents to witness this special moment and hired a videographer friend to document the proposal. I went down on my knees, popped the question, and she said “Yes”!
Walk us through your wedding planning. Where did you choose to wed and why? Did you have a wedding theme?
Both: We chose Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel as our wedding venue and we have no regrets! Our wedding was to be held during the month of Singapore’s annual Formula 1 night race, so many hotels situated around the race track were not able to accept any wedding bookings before the race dates were confirmed. But, we were determined to find a hotel that was central enough for all our guests to get to, especially our relatives and friends who were flying in from Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and Germany. We also wanted a ballroom with a high ceiling and preferably, no pillar to block our guests’ view. After visiting 12 hotels, we finally found our dream venue at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel! They fulfilled every criteria we had for our wedding venue.
For our wedding theme, we wanted something rustic and warm, so we selected the colours white, dark red, maroon, nude pink and rose gold for our theme.
What was your wedding day like?
Shaun: I was excited! It had been five years since Val and I first became a couple, and two years since I proposed, and now, I am finally able to call her my wife. At the same time, I had a group of reliable groomsmen who were ever ready to ensure that everything was in order, so that helped calm my nerves.
Valenisha: The day was very heartwarming as it was not just about marrying Shaun, but seeing all the support and happiness from our family and friends. Our groomsmen and bridesmaids were amazing!
What did your family/friends have to say about your wedding day?
Shaun: My parents were very proud and happy that, I, their firstborn, was the first to get married in the family. It was also particularly moving to have so many relatives turn up at our wedding. Everyone enjoyed and sang praises of the food, our emcee and the live band.
Valenisha: My parents were also very happy! Everyone had such big smiles on their faces when we looked through the photo albums.
What was the most memorable moment of your wedding?
Shaun: There were three such moments for me. First, it was when we signed our Certificate of Marriage and put on our wedding rings for one another because these were done with both of our fathers in attendance. Our solemniser did a marvellous job of making everyone feel comfortable during the ceremony!
Next, our first march-in was also particularly memorable to me. A dance concept video directed by Val herself preceded our entrance. As the video ended with us preparing to enter the wedding ballroom in the video, we made our entrance through the ballroom’s doors in reality. Last but not least, the moment where we watched our wedding video together with all 300 of our guests was unforgettable, as we could genuinely feel everyone’s blessings for us.
Valenisha: For me, it was when I couldn’t find the printed copy of my speech and all five of my bridesmaids stood up from their tables and started to pretend-glam-walk while looking for it. That was the moment I knew these girls have always been and will always have my back no matter what. Eventually, I realised I had a back-up copy on Google Docs, so the day was saved!
What is one lesson you’ve learned from your wedding planning that you’d like to share with other couples?
Shaun: Grooms, finish writing your wedding speech at least a week in advance! Don’t procrastinate. Also, it would be wonderful if you could include short dialogues in other languages within your speech, especially if your relatives or in-laws do not speak English as their first language.
Valenisha: Start planning early, and book your vendors early! I would also recommend couples to engage a professional emcee. While having a friend or family member emcee for you may be more personal and meaningful, a professional emcee would make a marked difference to the vibe of your wedding.
When choosing your vendors, always go with the ones who give you the best vibe or make you less nervous, especially your photographer and videographer. The last thing you want is to feel uncomfortable with the team who will be following you around on the most important day of your life.
The Wedding Venue: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Cost of Wedding: At least $70,000
Size of Wedding: 300 persons
The Bride’s Gown: Odelia Bridal
The Bride’s Shoes: Bride’s own
The Groom’s Suit: Odelia Bridal
The Groom’s Shoes: Groom’s own
The Wedding Photographer: Lionel Lin of Antelope Studios
The Hairstylist and Makeup Artist: Lina Luo of Odelia Bridal
The Event Stylist and Wedding Planner: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
The Engagement Rings: JannPaul
The Wedding Bands: Ling Jewellery
The Wedding Videographer: Alvin Ang of IrisWave
The Florist: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
The Photobooth: Merry Bees
The Wedding Invitations and Stationery: Lil’art Cards & Bridal Favours LLP
The Wedding Live Band: Merry Bees Singapore
The Wedding Favours: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
The Wedding Car: myCarriage
The Solemniser: Fong Yoong Cheong
The Wedding Resource: SingaporeBrides
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