Sneak Peek { Anna + John }

a taste of last week's engagement session =]

In Focus { Chinese Tea Ceremony }

Drinking tea is an integral part of Chinese society. During special occasions, celebrations and especially weddings; the kneeling, bowing and offering of tea from the bride and groom shows their gratitude and respect for their family and elders. The tea ceremony is also an introduction to the new family union as well as a social validation and blessing of the marriage. The family members in return bring gifts, jewelery, red pockets and words of wisdom for the newly married.

The tea ceremony is what I look forward to most at Chinese weddings. I love the intimacy and the meaning of presenting tea to your elders. While what would appear as a formality, it is often where different generations interact most on a wedding day. The exchange is filled with happiness, colour, love and laughter. Dressed in their favourite cheongsams, I can see how excited all the aunties are with their gold bracelets and jade stones, passed on from generation to generation. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to capture these moments for not just the bride and groom, but the extended family because I know how important it is to them.

Featured in this "In Focus" post are weddings of Jenny+Jimmy (first half) and Chieko+Raphael (second half, when the candies appear)

An Engagement { Priya + Pranav }

I briefly introduced you to this amazing couple once before. Yes, they do love making silly faces at each other, but they are easily one of the sweetest and most sincere couples I've ever had the pleasure to photograph.  They very much are "people people"; and knowing how much we loved to eat, they insisted I bring along May for the engagement session so we could all hang out and get to know each other.

The chemistry in our collaboration of ideas began from day one, the vibrant beaches neighbourhood made for a perfect setting to capture their genuine affection to each other.  We danced through the streets and into Kew Gardens; and of course as luck would have it, right on cue, there was a gentleman playing on his guitar "time after time" as we reached the boardwalk.  How could you not fall in love with this couple?

Oh and it get better! Just wait till you see the photos from their colourful Hindu wedding ceremony!  I'm very excited to show them to you all.

An Engagement { Sacha + Tony }

There was no way we could have expected better weather for a winter engagement shoot, especially with the wacky season we've had so far. No wind, slight overcast and a gentle sparkle of snowflakes fell through the entire afternoon. Sacha + Tony are absolute perfection too, they love spending their free time skating and celebrate occasions with bubbly. And not to mention, they share the same good food loving vibes that I have so you can bet i'm excited to photograph their wedding this September. Cheers to good food and friendship! Hear Hear!