Fresh from the FIFOTO blog are these awesome photos of Chang Chang & CJ’s recent wedding. Firstly, congrats to the couple who we hear have been together for 10 years! Who says there are no modern day fairy tales?

Their wedding ceremony was held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, a beautifully well-aged church, that has a slight vintage feel to it. Which if you ask me, perfectly befits the classic black & white photos below.

Unlike most Chinese weddings with separate photo sessions, Chang Chang and CJ did it the Australian way and shot for 14 hours continuously. More than impressive when you think about the heat and humidity that comes along with shooting outdoors. Not to mention the stamina needed to stay in high heels for that amount of time!

Brides often tell us that photographer Fiona Lim & her team from FIFOTO are always easy to work with. Which may explain why they got this terrific shot of Chang Chang flinging her gown. For some of you, it may feel kinda weird posing in your bridal gown. After all, not all of us are like Posh & Becks where posing is mandatory.

Thus when choosing a photographer, remember to not only look for someone who is credible and good – but who makes you feel at ease. You don’t want to be posing with someone you don’t feel comfortable with right?

Next up, photos from the reception dinner:

Am always a fan of white roses. Speaking of roses, I hear that our WGA contributor Elaine is thinking of doing the same for her September wedding after reading this previous post… roses are in the air, perhaps?

White roses were placed on the cake inline with the theme. Tip: Try to look for ways to enhance your theme with little details like this.  Another idea is to put a single rose on a plate. Simple yet effective.

As we’ve said many times on WGA, lighting is important! See how the candles cast a soft light on the roses, creating a romantic ambiance. The dinner reception was held at the Imperial Garden which was done up oriental style, with Chinese lanterns and floral wallpaper plastered on the walls. Fiona tells us that even the food presentation got in theme – the waiters wore Ming dynasty soldier-outfits with swords attached! Fake swords of course.

Hmmm, now my mind has wandered to an outer space wedding where the waiters dress like Luke Skywalker and carry a lightsaber. But… I guess that would only happen if a groom planned the wedding. Haha.

* Our thanks to FIFOTO for supplying these fantastic shots. If these photos tickle your fancy and you like what you see here, then get in touch with the FIFOTO team via their Little White Book page!

Start by searching online and magazines for ideas. If you have a wedding scrapbook stashed away somewhere, this is definitely the time to put it to good use.  Don’t know where to start? Here are three things that you need to do:

1. Plan

A wedding cake is a piece of art. And all pieces of art require ample time and dedication. So if you’re looking for something special and out of the ordinary, you need to plan at least 3 to 6 months ahead. Another important point is to make sure that there is enough cake for all of your guests.

2. Look for a Cake Designer

Your cake designer should be professionally trained and experienced. A good designer should be : dexterous at decorating, making the cake taste absolutely delectable and giving solid advice. On top of that, opt for someone who pays much attention to detail and goes to great lengths to create something extraordinary for you.

3. Pick Flavours

Don’t be afraid to make your cake look and taste a wee bit more fabulous by using a variety of flavours for each tier. Regarding what colours to opt for, according to my fridge magnet:

Pink = Love                         White = Purity

Yellow = Friendship          Red = Passion

Red seems to be all the rage now but the key is to stick to what YOU like. Make your cake stand out by using sugar flowers. Not only do they look like genuine flowers, they’re absolutely beautiful to look at and the great thing about them is you can save these treasures as they last forever.

The trend now is to serve mini cakes and cupcakes instead of the traditional wedding cake. Cupcakes are fun, interesting, and they can act as a favour. Last April, WGA featured an article on a cupcake tower designed by the fab team at Cupcake Chic.

Remember – there are no rules when it comes to designing your wedding cake. Have fun!

WGA tip: If you’re feeling a little generous, do donate uncut tiers to the needy. It can be your first deed as a wedded couple :)

Back in 2002, Grant Thatcher realised there was a huge gap in the market when it came to travel guides for the stylish traveler. After all, not everyone is built for backpacking and some of us like it a little more plush, a little more… luxe.  So armed with an idea and a vision, he created LUXE City Guides, which has now become the staple for those who want to be ‘in the know’. With guides that cover destinations all over the globe, which tell you where to go when it comes to food, fashion and entertainment, it’s no surprise that these days, everyone needs a bit of LUXE.

Here’s our 5 mins with Grant Thatcher, founder & editor of LUXE City Guides:

There are many travel guides on the market, what makes LUXE City Guides so special?

First of all our guides have a sense of humour – a first for travel guides! But most of all we tell it like it is and we are not afraid to have a point of view. We tell you the best of the best and leave the rest. Not got a best friend in Seoul? Leave it to LUXE to show you around town.

How does LUXE find the best places in town?

We employ not only a local editor on the ground that knows the city inside out, but also we take the advice of around 20 stylish contributors who live and work in the city. We then send in our own editorial team to check out personally all the suggested entries. No other guide on the planet does this!

Tell us about LUXE online.

You can purchase your LUXE City Guides through our online store at www.luxecityguides.com . You can easily look through hotels, read in-depth reviews and book a room through our beautiful LUXE City Guides hotel & villa collections. How glamvenient is that! Don’t miss our blog, www.luxetasy.com which posts about the things that have caught the gimlet eye of our editors around the world.

LUXE also has mobile guides available! Good news for my Blackberry…

Yes, good news indeed. We have just launched Luxe City Guides mobile.

10 of our cities are now available in app format to download to many handsets including iPhone, Blackberry, Samsung and Nokia. And we are just about to launch 10 more!

The Legian in Bali and Ca' Sagredo in Venice are in the Luxe City Guides

WGA is all about weddings – how can our readers use the guides?

Our guides are perfect for use as wedding favours and they are perfect for weddings in foreign countries. A lot of customers order them to send out with their invitations to guests. Then of course our range of beautiful box sets are perfect wedding gifts and we offer a full customization service.

Each guide has a beautiful cover. But what lies beneath?

Up to 24 pages crammed full of hundreds of listings of the best of the best of a city.

The WGA Quiz

Best Spa in Bali: Ayana resort

Best bars/clubs in Hong Kong: Sugar, East, Sevva

Best shopping haunt in Melbourne: Christine

Best resort in Phuket: Trisara

Best (romantic) restaurant in London: La Poule au pot (classic old timer French) + guaranteed bedroom olympics!

Last words: OUR LAST WORD IS ALWAYS TTFN (Ta ta for now)!

* So there you go WGA readers, whether you’re planning a dream honeymoon, have a destination wedding to attend or is in need of some wedding favours – a LUXE City Guide should steer you in the right direction. Enjoy!

It’s common courtesy to bring a gift when you attend a wedding, the big question is what to give! Sure, it’s the thought that counts but let’s face it, we want to give something that the couple will actually be happy to receive. Registering for gifts hasn’t really made it big in Asia yet, so people still have to depend on their creativity.

Money or Coffee Maker?

Money seems to be an easy option, it’s definitely useful, especially for young couples, but consider how close you are to the couple before you decide on that, it may be practical but it is also rather impersonal. Besides, then you’ll have to face the big “how much is adequate” question.

Grandma's antique bracelet would make a great "something old"

If you’re close family, then you are probably leaning towards jewelry or valuables of some kind, no? Sometimes an antique bowl or grandma’s gold bracelet means a lot more than a pair of brand new pearl earrings (well sometimes…)

If you’ve known either the bride and groom (or both!) for many years, then buying a present is definitely a tad easier. You have an idea of their taste aka their likes and dislikes. Here are a couple of ideas… An ornamental crystal piece, an exotic wood carving, a high-end espresso machine? If these seem rather pricey then check out www.amazon.com for something more affordable. Shopping online is usually a good way to get better value for money.

Gift Baskets are becoming increasingly popular nowadays

Here are some quick tips!

1. Think of the bride and groom as a couple as opposed to individuals.

2. Set a budget and try to stick to it.

3. If you’re eyeing something that is out of your budget then considering sharing the gift with a few other people.

4. Abide by the registry (if there is one). There’s probably a reason those items are on it :)

5. As mentioned earlier, give online shopping a shot, it will probably prove worthwhile.

6. Talk to close friends and family of the couple, you may be able to fish out information.

7. If you are really stumped then check out www.findgift.com for some ideas.

At the end of the day, even if the happy couple do end up with five blenders and three toasters, it’s safe to say your gift did put a smile on their faces. Happy shopping!

They’ve been featured all over the American press, from Martha Stewart weddings to The Knot to Daily Candy weddings. And now WGA is proud to talk to dynamic design duo, Alix & Kelly. If you’re someone who believes “less is more”, then Alix & Kelly is for you. Previously costume designers for film & television, the two decided to opt for something a little more ‘old Hollywood’ and follow their passion to create bridal gowns that were elegant yet fashionable.

With clients from around the world, we thought it was time they made an appearance here in Asia. Enjoy!

You’ve worked on the sets for films like “Gone baby Gone” and “CSI”. Why the change of scene?

Our background is diverse. We loved dressing character’s in real life situations. But Kelly and I always had a true passion for beautifully constructed dresses and fabrics.

How does Alix & Kelly differ from the ‘typical’ wedding gown?

We make gowns for a more sophisticated bride, a bride that wants a dress to help her shine not overpower her. Comfort is paramount. Simple, elegant, flattering shapes are our specialty.

How often do you launch new designs?

We launch a new collection every year in October. Our current collection is all about old world glamour and sophistication.

What sort of materials do you use?

We use all 100% silks, lots of silk chiffons, and silk crepe that we hand wash for extra movement. All our fabrics are lightweight and have great movement.

For our readers in Asia, how can they get their hands on an Alix & Kelly gown? Also, we’re typically a little bit shorter over here – can dresses be altered?

We have many international clients, all you have to do is order an Alix Kelly gown direct from our website – www.alixkelly.com. All the dresses are made to be easily altered, especially in length!

Besides bridal gowns, you also offer dresses for the wedding party. Which design is a best seller for bridesmaids?

The Jackie dress (found in “wedding party” collections). It is flattering on all sizes, all busts, big and small. It’s simple elegance is a big hit with brides and bridesmaids a like, you can also add a wide silk sash to liven it up, or add color to the wedding party.

Lastly, any advice for brides out there looking for that perfect wedding gown?

Comfort is so important! You want to feel effortlessly beautiful without being self-conscious. There will be a lot to do and share with your family and friends, so you don’t want to get stuck worrying about your dress!

* To get in touch with Alix & Kelly, drop them an email at info@alixkelly.com or call them on +12136223991. For our American readers, you can make an appointment and visit the standalone boutique in LA, or with any of their stockists around the States. Bridal gowns are available
from USD 650 and bridesmaid dresses at USD 300 and above.

She was the very first entrant to get the answer correctly! To everyone else, do come along to the Jungle-Luxe Bridal Fair at Tamarind Springs, KL, this coming Sunday. I’ll be there and from what I hear – they have some awesome wedding vendors, pole dancing performances, food tasting etc, etc!

It’s also free entry!

x

Just got these pics from WGA vendor Andy Lim! He recently shot Pascal & Mishell’s traditional Chinese wedding  and dinner reception at Hotel Equatorial in Kuala Lumpur. Rather than send us an array of photos, to be a bit different this time, Andy kindly edited the pics into a video. Makes checking out the photos easy peezy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Wonder what Andy’s style is like? He aptly describes it as “capturing emotion in pictures.”

If you like Andy and his work, give him a buzz and contact him through his Little White Book page by clicking here.

P.S – If you feel like you’ve been attending a few too many weddings of late, it may be because August is the Hungry Ghost month which is deemed unlucky to get married in. Hence, most Chinese weddings are either pushed to July or September!

P.SS – Now I’m curious to interview any Chinese couple who got married in August… (spooky music plays!)

Don’t you just hate it when the only thing between you and that dream honeymoon destination is last month’s credit card bill? But hey, who says you can only have a good time in Belize or Bora-bora? According to United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Malaysia was ranked 9^th in the world in international tourist arrivals last year, a whopping 23.6 million! Wondering where to go? Consider these tourist hotspots if you’re:

A Beach Bum

Imagine yourself basking in the sun with a Daiquiri in one hand and a book in another. Then, take a romantic stroll along the silky soft beach with your loved one and with your toes dipped in sand, enjoy a breathtaking view of the sunset. Tun Sakaran Marine Park (top) is a host to world-class dive sites and glorious coral reefs. Located 20 kilometers off the Semporna mainland, The Tun Sakaran Marine Park is the largest marine park in Sabah. A permit is needed for entry into the Park, and for all activities. It’s a touch arduous, but definitely well worth the effort.

For a livelier atmosphere, head to Sipadan (bottom right) and be entranced by its collection of bigger fish and abundance of turtles, sharks, and other marine life. Spend a few pampered nights in Sipadan Water Village, a luxury resort overlooking the Celebes Sea on the island of Mabu. If you’d like to rough it out, Perhentian Island, Terengganu (bottom left) is the way to go. The best time to visit the place would be from June to August, when the sea is calm and weather is good. Do call the chalets or hotels in advance as these three months are their busiest.

An Adrenaline Junkie

If a challenge is what you’re seeking, climb the highest peak in South-East Asia, Mount Kinabalu (left). Mind you, mountain climbing is not for the faint-hearted. Do explore the risks thoroughly and make sure your fitness is in check. Visit this site to find out everything there is to know about climbing Mount Kinabalu. Another option is to visit Sarawak’s top attraction site, Gunung Mulu National Park (right). Lonely Planet says, “It can be enjoyed simply for its beauty, or tackled as a challenge that even experienced outdoors enthusiasts will relish.” This unspoiled wilderness offers wildlife-viewing, trekking, and caving.

A Nature Lover

Fraser’s Hill (top right) is a lovely place to visit all-year round. Named after a Scottish pioneer, James Fraser, this is the idyllic place for one to rest and to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. While you’re there, visit nearby Cameron Highlands (bottom right) for some pleasurable activities. Nothing says therapeutic better than a good tea or strawberry-picking session. Some of the more popular places to stay in Cameron Highlands include the 5-star Cameron Highlands Resort and Century Pines Resort.

In Sandakan, there is a great place to get up and close with our fuzzy friend the orang-utan, called the Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre. Although touching is strongly discouraged, there is a viewing gallery and feeding platform where the orang-utans are fed milk and bananas twice a day at 10.00am and 3.00pm by rangers. Definitely not a sight to be missed!

Excited yet? Now what’s left to do is to get packing!

With the Jungle-Luxe Bridal Fair just around the corner (this Sunday to be exact, July 25th), we’ve decided to run a little competition to get you guys in the mood.

Fancy a romantic fine dining meal at Il Tempio?

All you have to do to win a dining voucher worth RM 150 is answer this following question:

• What are the 4 different themed weddings that will be showcased at the Jungle-Luxe Bridal Fair this Sunday?

If you know the answer AND you live in Kuala Lumpur (sorry everyone else!), email us at info@weddingguideasia.com.

The winner can pick up their ticket from the registration counter at the fair on Sunday.

Do stop by the fair regardless. Not only is it FREE ENTRY, but there will be pole dancing, food tasting and of course, an array of Malaysians top wedding vendors.

I’ll be there too! Hovering around :)

The Clintons - American royalty

But on a (somewhat) serious note, come July 31st, Chelsea Clinton, Bill & Hillary’s only child and daughter, is tying the knot with her fiance Marc Mezvinsky. As a fan of Hilary & Obama, I thought we should give her wedding a little bit of coverage on WGA. Not to mention, it’s actually pretty big news! Given politicians are the closest thing to royalty in America, the media has been scrambling all over to get any word on this secretive wedding.

No wonder there’s even a website purely dedicated to Chelsea’s wedding. Aptly called www.chelseaclintonweddingwatch.

They’re watching you Chelsea.

Chelsea & Marc

So you’re thinking, who’s this Marc dude! Well, being the well-behaved daughter she’s always been, Chelsea chose to date a fellow democrat, as beau Marc is actually the son of a former democratic congressman (at least the in-laws will get along). Presently a banker for Goldman Sachs, Marc has actually known Chelsea’s since her teens, but the two only started dating during their student days at Stanford.

Chelsea’s Little White Book (what we know thus far!):

Astor Courts

Venue: Astor Courts. Located about 90 miles north of NYC, Astor Courts is considered to be one of the grandest Hudson river mansions. Built by Gilded Age tycoon John Jacob Astor IV (who sadly died on the Titanic), it sits on 525 acres of farmland, hayfields and forest. Why is Astor Courts the most probable venue? Because it’s currently overrun by men-in-black, aka Secret Service agents. Who I suspect are not there on a company trip.

Celebrity planner: Bryan Rafanelli. Bryan has planned numerous weddings for the who’s who, and was actually behind some of Hilary’s fundraisers during her 2008 presidential campaign. So he’s obviously passed the Clinton seal of approval!

Dress: Media reports are split. It appears to be a clean fight between Oscar De La Renta and Vera Wang. Perhaps she has two gowns?

Guests: 400 pax. When your mum is the current Secretary of State and dad is an ex-president, you’ve got to have a few celebs on the list. According to The Hudson Valley News, guests invited include President Obama (though he’s not attending), Oprah Winfrey, Barbra Streisand, Steven Spielberg and media mogul Ted Turner.

And… that’s all we know for now! For the complete low down, I’d say we have to wait till July 31 st! Or be invited to the wedding.