Photography ALWIN LIM, LIGHTED PIXELS, PHOTOGRAPHY
When the daughter of Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of State for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, got married, Wedding & Travel was there to capture the couple’s special moment.
Yu Chia Min and Yann Mocellin met nearly 8 years ago when both were working in the same building. Sparks flew, but not between them, yet.
Yann’s colleague had taken a liking to Chia Min’s friend and the four of them started meeting regularly. Finding common topics during their conversations, Chia Min and Yann soon began going out on single dates without their friends.
They say the rest is history. The truth is, Yann did not return to Switzerland after his original one year posting in Singapore. He stayed on for the next seven years and the couple recently tied the knot on 4 September 2008.
Under normal circumstances, any wedding will have its fair share of concerns. When it comes to the wedding of the daughter of a Minister of State, Chia Min’s special day needs all the more attention and preparation.
Fortunately, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon is every bit the capable first woman mayor of Singapore that she is. The couple admitted that Mrs Yu-Foo and her team of helpers had been great in organising their wedding. They were also quick to point out that they had engaged a very competent wedding planner in Anna, the veteran of Spellbound Weddings.
The solemnisation was held at Burkill Hall in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Witnessed by their close friends and family members, the couple had an enjoyable time. They were relaxed in their company, though both were trembling from excitement as they signed the certificate of marriage, for they are now a couple recognised in the eyes of the law.
The celebratory dinner after the solemnisation was, to some extent, a prelude to the grand wedding banquet that was to take place two days later. For months, the excitement had all been building up to this day where 800 guests were expected, many of them eminent political figures.
The day started early for the couple and they had a rehearsal around noon. Throughout the day, they were nervous with so many guests on their list and they didn’t really know what to expect.
Adding to the jitters for Yann was the wedding speech, which he had to deliver in a room full of political dignitaries. In the end, his touching speech moved everyone, most of all, the bride.
Apart from their own anxiety, the couple really did not have much to worry about. The grand ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton had been transformed into an elegant and romantic setting of creams and greens.
A tall arch made of winter twigs, cream orchids and dangling crystal droplets formed a spectacular entrance to the ballroom. Inside, the tables were beautifully adorned with centerpiece versions of the arch.
Stirred by the romantic setting, many guests were nearly moved to tears when the guest performer, Nancy Yuen of Madame Butterfly fame, delivered her touching rendition of Ave Maria as the couple marched in. Yann’s emotional speech touched everyone too, especially his lovely bride, who realised just how much he values their union.
The magnificent wedding at the grandest ballroom in Singapore ended on a note of high praises. The blissfully wedded couple could finally enjoy their long awaited honeymoon in the romantic Seychelles.
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