It seems like such a long time ago when I initially proposed to the Boy on our 10th anniversary at Provenance Restaurant and Hotel in Beechworth. I still can’t believe I pulled it off!
But as all stories must come to a climax, I think it’s definitely right for me to say that the climax in the story of our lives peaked on our beautiful wedding day.
We can’t begin to thank everyone enough who assisted, worked, and attended our big day, so we would just like to shout it one more time, “THANK YOU!!!! You know who you are and we love you!”.
Thank you to everyone who travelled the distance (over seas and mountains), braved Melbourne’s erratic weather and watched us grow throughout the years with love and support.
We hope that in the pictures below, we manage to recap the start of our beautiful journey together as a married couple and share with you the many details that went on, on our wedding day.
To all the soon-to-be brides out there, trawling the internet for ideas, this one is for you too! I know just how hard it is to plan everything from scratch and any little detail goes a long way! Watch out for the next post on more ideas or just scroll to the end of the post of information 🙂
The Boy and I hardly slept the night before our wedding as we were tidying up a few bits and pieces that seem so trivial now as we look back. Both of us stayed the night at The Quest Service Apartments in Middle Brighton (located right across the wedding venue).
My Madam Mummy stayed with me in the Executive Studio Apartment (which turned into the Tea Ceremony location in the morning) whilst the Boy and his younger brother (Best Man) stayed in the Standard Studio Apartment.
Being the first day of Daylight Savings meant that everyone lost an hour’s sleep as we moved forward an hour. I think I only managed about 3 hours of sleep before having to wake at 5.30am to prepare for my Hair and Make-Up Artist (MUA) to arrive. Wita Kusuma who is part of the S.A.S.S.Y. Hair & Make-up did an amazing job on me. I especially loved the hairstyle which she did for me after I showed her a picture of a side curly bun used on Taylor Swift 🙂 If you are interested, she also does freelancing work outside of S.A.S.S.Y.
After about 2 hours of hair and make-up, our relatives started to arrive for our Tea Ceremony event in my boudair ;P After about an hour of this, we sent everyone packing as I needed to get changed out of my traditional Cheong Sam and into my wedding gown for the biggest walk of my life 🙂
Whilst I was getting ready in the morning and whilst the Boy and I were busy with the tea ceremony and spending time with our relatives, my beautiful Chi Muis’ (bride’s entourage)  and their respective husbands and partners busied themselves setting up the decoration at the venue (more of that on the next post) according to our instructions.
Unbeknownst to me, my BFF and Matron of Honour (hah!) had gone all Commando on them and was instructing them strictly on how to decorate and telling them off when they looked to be slacking off! Hahahaha.. my poor girls! I owe you so much and thanks for looking after me so well my beautiful BFF 🙂 I couldn’t have done it better!
All too soon, Madam Mummy, BFF (who had ran back to the hotel room) and I got the call that our pick-up was coming (thanks cousin A!) and the crowd was awaiting. Eep! Too late to back out now!
Walking down the aisle to the song which was chosen by the Boy and I almost two years ago, everything felt all too surreal.
My beautiful Flower Girl, Isabel walked down and whilst spooked out by the many cameras in her way, managed to walk a few steps before going all shy and cute on the crowd! Thanks again, Steph for ‘lending’ us your beautiful girl for our big day!
The song we chose was Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson’s version of Taylor Swift’s Love Story and Coldplay’s Viva La Vida 🙂
Stepping out the doors, it felt like I was a movie star and a dozen paparazzis had taken over my friends and family! Flashing lights and DSLRs were all that I could see! It’s no wonder, Izzy got spooked!
I reckon Madam Mummy was more nervous than I. I just wanted to run down and be with my man, but I couldn’t see him amidst the crowd! Madam Mummy did a brilliant job of walking me down the aisle and handing me over to the Boy 🙂 It was like a fairytale.
Our Celebrant, the lovely and motherly Jill Hosken kept us in check and calmed our nerves throughout the entire ceremony and her reassurance help set aside any worries or doubts we both may have had.
A funny moment in the ceremony was when the Boy’s brother had to hand him the rings and in his nervousness handed the Boy the actual box instead, making them both fumble to open the box to get the ring out 🙂
With promises made and vows sworn, the Boy and our mothers who acting as witnesses, signed our wedding certificate! Thanks mums!
It was certainly a sign of many good things to come as when Jill mentioned the Boy’s Father and my Grandmother that the sun cast its rays over us, as if we were being blessed from above 🙂 Listening to Jill recount our journey and paying our due respects to those who are no longer with us made the ceremony ever more poignant and memorable.
As we were announced as Husband and Wife, the crowd broke out to applause, and bubbles were blown our way in congratulations.
All I was thinking about (and I think the Boy as well, if he was thinking at all) was that I was the luckiest person in the world to be surrounded by so much love and joy with the people that mattered the most in our lives 🙂
I do hope that I have managed to capture the essence of our wedding ceremony with you and to share with you our joy on that day!
Be sure to stay tuned to Part II where we shall share with you in more details of the wedding reception.
Much love,
The Boy and Ms I-Hua
xoxo
p/s We would like to thank Lilian and Damien for the beautiful pictures for this post 🙂 We couldn’t wait for our professional photos to arrive as we wanted to share this with you as soon as possible 🙂
Wedding Details:
Wedding Venue: The Baths, Restaurant & Cafe, Middle Brighton
Wedding Hotel: Quest Service Apartments, Middle Brighton
Hair & Make-Up Artist: Wita Kusuma (S.A.S.S.Y Hair & Make-up)
Photographer: Alan Woo, Finessence Photography
Wedding Celebrant: Jill Hosken, Celebrate Life
Wedding Cheong Sam: Cherrielee Boutique in 1 Utama, Malaysia
Wedding Dress: Thurley
Tailor: Think Sew, Carnegie
Wedding Shoes: Heels from Zara, Flats from Nude
Groom’s Suit: On-Site Tailor at Novotel Siam Square, Bangkok
Groom & Groomsmen Boutonniere: Hand made with materials bought from Lincraft & Spotlight (tutorial to come)
Accessories
Hair Flowers: Alannah Hill (I bought this in 2006 and it’s an oldie but a goodie)
Earrings: Swarovski, Fidelity Pierced Earrings
Necklace: Paris Rendezvous, High Street, Armadale
Ceremony Songs
Aisle: Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson’s version of Taylor Swift’s Love Story and Coldplay’s Viva La Vida
Marriage Certificate Signing: Frank Sinatra’s Love & Marriage
Walk-out: Nat King Cole’s L.O.V.E.
Flowers
Bridal Bouquets: Growers Flower Factory, Carlton (Ask for May)
Table Flowers: Prahran Market & Helen Dillon Florist, Chadstone
Props and Other Decoration Items
Bon Bonnieres: Hand Made Milk Cartons (template from Eat Drink Chic), Chosptick Rests from Material (Malaysia) and Chopsticks (from Malaysia) with Origami paper (tutorial to come)
Pom Poms: Hand Made by Ms Tinymouse and I (template and instructions from Martha Stewart)
Lanterns: Martha Stewart Lanterns and Typo Lanterns
Bubbles: Woolworths
Canvas Prints and Wooden Letters: Typo
Vintage Soda Bottles: Boylan Vintage Soda Pop (donated by the awesome team at Patricia Coffee Brewers)
Other Bottles: Voss, Antipodes and Coca-Cola
Blue Stones and Sea Shells: Bunnings (courtesy of Aileen)
Wedding Cakes, Cake Accessories & Melting Moments: Iron Chef Shellie and I Eat Therefore I Am
Topiary Place Card Holders: Pink Frosting
Bride & Groom Clothespin Dolls: Hand Made by Bags of Fashionista
Birdcages: Chatuchak Market, Bangkok, Thailand
Photo Booth Props: Party Goodies on Etsy, Material (for chalkboard) and Sunglasses from Chatuchak Market
Paper Straws and Vintage Straw Holder: Let’s Cook, Melbourne CBD
Glass Tea Light/Flower Bauble: Helen Dillon Florist, Chadstone
Miscellaneous Glassware and Vintage Props: Bed, Bath N’ Table (Melbourne CBD, Southwharf DFO and Chadstone stores)
Twine, Wooden Pegs and Chalk: Riot Art & Craft
wahhhhh…. I want to cry!! It was a truly beautiful ceremony <3 So glad I could have been there to witness it xx
Oh no! Don’t cry Mazzie! We were so happy that you made it to our day and for your major contributions!
Both of you look absolutely stunning! What a joyous occasion and once again, congrats!! 😀
Thanks so much Vien!
I can’t believe you have come this far!
Hahah… neither can I!
The ceremony was just oisome and so touching. Thanks for inviting moi to your very very special day! Congats again guys, you looked so HAWT Rhonda!
The bubbles were too cool. 🙂
Just like a Sunrise!! Aww thanks! It was so awesome having you guys there!
I cried. It was so beautiful. I hope Alan didn’t get a picture of me.
Lol but another camera did! You’re lucky I didn’t post you weeping on my blog 😛
I am such a lucky girl 😀
You are 😛
DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW. <3 <3 <3
Waaa you could have made it but would have been so super grumpy 😛
Congratulations to you and the boy! Or should I say Mrs I-Hua and the hubby now? 😀
I say noooooooooo!! Lol…
Congratulations. Beautiful dress!
Thanks Jac!!!
Congrats..
Thanks Carol 🙂
Beautiful, beautiful day, you look gorgeous and I looooved all the styling that you guys took time to think about and put together before hand. Thanks for sharing!
By the way, you need to tell the Boy that since you married him , you have made him “the Man”! (and as such his instagram handle needs to be upgraded to @zeman!) 😛
Thanks for this Winnie! I read your comment out loud to him and he snorted 😛 Hahahhaahahaha
I love love love love LOVE this post 🙂 you look absolutely AMAZING I-hua! I love everything ~ the make up, the hair style, the dress and the flowers and all the way down to the tiny little details!
So so so happy for you and The Boy 😀 after such a long journey 10 years hehe you guys are now finally husband and wife!!!
This post is particularly good for other soon to be brides as well 😉
Hope you’ve had a nice honeymoon!!! Looking forward to reading part two~
Hahaha Thanks Daisy! Yup… so many details which I found so hard to find from different blogs and people so I thought I’d just put mine all into one 🙂 Glad you liked it. It’s scary to know we’ve been together for over 11 years! Eek!
congratulations mrsZeBoy! hehe… wishing u much happinesee with your lover!
Aww ahahaha.. thank you 🙂
It’s all so beautiful, lovely!! What a gorgeous day. You looked SO stunning. Mr looked dashing too 🙂 I cannot wait for more details. Well done for functioning on so little sleep!! I suppose all the excitement gave you all the energy you needed 🙂
Heidi xo
Excitement and the joy that everyone was having an awesome time! Thanks for the compliments *blush*
I feel so teary-eyed! So much love to you both, Mr and Mrs Angle Babe Rake Sway Unicorn Dance Party. What a gorgeous, incandescent wedding day. xoxo
Awwww I wuv you Angle Babe!
Awwwwww you guys looked SO cute!!! And super beautiful dress. 😀 Your flower girl is so so adorable…XD Congratulations again and the best for the many many years to come. 🙂
Thanks Jenny! She sure is a cutie pie!
Congratulations to you and your husband on this joyous occasion! You looked stunning and love the colours you chose for the theme of the day 🙂 Will bookmark this page for sure 😉
Aww thanks Amy!!!
I was just thinking about you randomly yesterday! I don’t know why and then I came here and saw your gorgeous photos. You look absolutely gorgeous and thank you for sharing your very special day with us!! 😀
You were? I hope it was in a good way! Hahahah Thanks babe!
Congratulations, I-Hua! You look so beautiful and radiant in those pics! 🙂
Thanks Libster! Hahahah
Congratulations to the newly weds! Both of you look perfect for each other so I hope that you would last a lifetime. When did you start dating each other by the way?
-Reu
Hi Reu! Thanks so much 🙂 When we were 18 🙂
Beautiful!
Thank you 🙂
Congrats you two. Happy days.
Btw I read that your maid of honor had gone commando and thought she went underwear-less haha. Oops.
Wuhoo! And you perve 😛
Congras babe! I enjoyed all the tweets and instagram that fellow bloggers posted. Enjoy the journey together. xoxo
Thanks Penny!!
Just catching up now, I think this is the first time I’ve seen photos of you two together. Cute!! 😀
Lol he’s never let me post him up before, but I won the argument this time round 😛
Nice, Looks like you had a wonderful wedding. Despite getting very little sleep 😀
We did! Thank you 🙂
Hi there I-Hua and Aaron
Have just found this – what a gorgeous post – hope the magic of your wedding day is still with you both.
Very special to be part of.
Love
Jill