Yi-a-cha-cha, cha-cha cha!~
Brandon and Mabel’s wedding had us playing this 50s oldie (我爱恰恰) from the 1957 box-office hit “Mambo Girl” on repeat! Their celebration had all the elements bringing us back to a time characterised by lively entertainment, bright colours and cheerful music. If you are curious how they did that especially with a wedding that took place right in middle of COVID-19, read on!
Jazzing their wedding venue with an assortment of vintage props, playing a selection of retro music, and having everyone dressed in bright colours… it’s hard to not let oneself indulge in the spirit of that vibrant era.
However, it wasn’t all just a funfest for Brandon and Mabel as they went through their fair share of disappointment with the arrival of COVID-19.
Initially set for a full day affair on 17 October 2020, Brandon and Mabel’s union in holy matrimony was to be witnessed by 250 guests before celebrating their newly minted title with 150 of their close friends and family members. With the onset of the pandemic, they were forced to scale back their plans and they ended up stretching their celebration into two separate days.
They said their vows in front of an audience of 50 on the original date – 17 October 2020 (Phase 2) and then celebrating with their nearest and closest on 20 February 2021 (Phase 3) in order to have 98 guests with them. It didn’t take long for them to decide on this arrangement because as they said,
We were bummed but we were pretty relaxed about it.
While we generally went with the flow, we made sure to communicate our feelings to each other so that we could mutually agree upon the next best and appropriate plan for our big day.
Brandon & Mabel
Despite it being two separate occasions, it didn’t look that way at all especially with the seamless theme that was being carried through from the church ceremony to the wedding dinner at Sinfonia Ristorante. The theme was derived from a combination of their roots and their love for “old” things.
Being a quarter of a Peranakan each (both our mums are Peranakan) and proud of the culture, we had to infuse Peranakan elements into anything possible. Family members were dressed in sarong kebayas and batik shirts. The decorations and wedding favours had batik prints or motifs on them. Not forgetting that vintage is also a vibe we both are really into, hence the theme was Peranakan/vintage.
Brandon & Mabel
It is all too easy to get carried away when one is obsessed with a theme or concept. The result is often a setup that looks gaudy or suffocating. Yet what we see here with Brandon and Mabel’s wedding was a concept tastefully done to bring out the essence of the theme. This is all thanks to Years & Co. that Brandon and Mabel were wise enough to engage.
The inspiration that Years & Co had taken to produce the setup was yes, you might have guessed it, the couple themselves!
Brandon & Mabel spoke deeply about the bond with their family and their Peranakan descend. We drew inspirations from knowing the couple better, from looking through their pre-wedding photos and spotting their love for vintage collectibles.
Putting together a Peranakan theme can be tricky, as we wanted the design to be contemporary and opulent yet keeping the rustic vintage look. Ready edible food displays such as ‘kueh-kuehs’ which were important elements to the theme were also not allowed and hence we played around the palettes with chilli padi, ground peanuts and pandan leaves to heighten the display.
Years & Co
Won’t you agree that the final look would have anyone dancing into the celebration with anticipation and glee? It would have been perfect if a live band was singing to tunes of the era right there and then. It was a pity that the couple wasn’t able to have singer @hellomisslou with them as they had initially planned for. Instead, they take it upon themselves to still make the experience as complete as they could – by marching in to the song 我爱恰恰.
That is enough to make everyone remember that big day. But what was even more memorable was…
The surprise announcement that was made in front of our closest friends and family during the wedding dinner about Mabel’s pregnancy!
Brandon
It truly was a day that calls for a celebration! But to the couple, there was yet another instance that will be etched in their memory forever –
When we realized that we had forgotten our wedding bands 20 minutes before the holy matrimony, this has to be top on this list! Thank God for Brandon’s sister and cousin who picked them up and made it back to the church just in time.
Brandon & Mabel
Of course, no matter how prepared you are, unforeseen hiccups are still bound to happen, but as the couple had shared with us, just enjoy every bit of the process because it is through these little occurrences that make each wedding unique and memorable.
While the wedding was initially meant to be a bigger affair, with the restrictions on catered lunch, live band and having to downsize their guest list, were they glad they went ahead with a wedding during the pandemic?
It would have been nice to have more people celebrate with us on our big day. But having an intimate wedding surrounded by our closest friends and family members was even more meaningful and memorable nonetheless. So confirm, plus chop, yes!
Brandon & Mabel
To anyone who is planning for a celebration during this time, here’s what Brandon and Mabel could share with you –
This pandemic shan’t affect a once in a lifetime occasion. Go forth and plan your wedding, especially if you prefer a more intimate setting. Lastly, as much as you’d want your wedding to be perfect, don’t fret or be stressed over unforeseen hiccups, everything will still fall nicely in place.
Brandon & Mabel
Thank you Brandon and Mabel for taking us through such a joyful (musical) experience! We wish you both a blessed marriage!
Professionals engaged for the wedding:
- Photography:
- Nik Voon | @nikvoon (Pre-wed)
- Bridelope Productions | @xavier_bridelope (Church)
- Highest Kite Weddings | @highestkiteweddings (Dinner)
- Videography: Our Wedding Story | @ourweddingstorysg
- Venue: Sinfonia Ristorante | @sinfoniaweddings
- Wedding Stylist: Both church ceremony & Dinner celebrations with Years & Co. | @years.co
- Guest table florals: 85 Flowers | @85flowers_sg
- Wedding Gown: Alerisa | @alerisa.co
- Masks: Alerisa | @alerisa.co (Bride) & Made Suits | @madesuits (Groom)
- Groom’s suit: Assemble Singapore | @assemblesg
- Bride’s suit: Accent | @accent.sg
- Jewellery: Foundation Jewellers | @foundationjewellerssg (Peranakan 四点金)
- Makeup Artist:
- Team Bride, Joanna | @teambride_sg (Church)
- Christopher Tan | @christanmua (Dinner)
- · Bridal Hoop: Twistthewillowtwig by Vanessa | @twistthewillowtwig
- Wedding Cake: Zee and Elle | @zeeandellesg
- Wedding Favours: DIYed by Bride & Groom