Mindy Tan Photography » wedding day

Tiong Bahru Walkabout -Xinrong & Jason

mtan2 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:23:59 +0000

Simple. Unpretentious. No fuss.
Xinrong & Jason were clear about the type of shoot they wanted to commemorate their wedding.
We did some greens at Botanical Gardens, and a walkabout in the pre-war, hip-again Tiong Bahru estate, where the couple live.
A wonderful experience

Slight rainfall but the shoot went on
Egg cartons and Maggie, well-trained star dog With star dog Maggie!
We happened to pass by a fruit stall and stopped for pictures, only to find out from the owner that it is his last day of business, after more than 30 years in Tiong Bahru. Vey sorry to hear that the shop’s glory days are over. Even worse to think that some of our traditions will ultimately disappear with the demise of these small businesses. Uncle still puts his money in a tin can suspended from the ceiling. Jason bought some fruit juice and we made sure to grab some pictures with the man.And a picture in front of his shop.

In the Pentillie Castle: A Cornwall wedding

mtan2 — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 05:06:52 +0000

A wedding should be an intimate affair, witnessed by the ones you love, celebrated by those who truly care for you. It’s a cosy gathering, a reunion, and a heartfelt one.
I’ve always held these views of what a wedding should be. And a little earlier this year, Mad and I had the privilege to attend as guests, the magical celebration of Kay Yin and Adam at the Pentillie castle estate in Cornwall, in the UK.

We flew to London and from there hired a car to Cornwall, taking the opportunity for a quick getaway. Unfortunately we couldn’t stay as long as we had hoped, but more of that in another post!

Kay Yin, my NCC platoonmate from secondary school days, had a most romantic solemnization, planned single-handedly by Adam. There ceremony was held within the old stone walls of a bathing hut by the Tamar River, within the estate of the castle. A wedding singer on strumming on his guitar, singing Chasing cars by Snow Petrol and songs of Jason Marz echoed within the old stone walls, the weather 14 degrees.. witnessing Adam read his personal vows to his bride, and Kay Yin nodding to Adam… It was a perfect day, in every way

Flowergirl and boys enter

Kay yin enters the hut with her fatherA view of the ceremony from my seat
The gorgeous married couple! A kiss from the solemnizer, I loved how she conducted the ceremony in such a pristine fashion, her heavy British accent, almost Harry Potter like.

Celine gets dressed, Swissotel The Stamford, Singapore

mtan2 — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:16:32 +0000

Shaozhen and Celine met through pokes. Yes, literally, on Facebook as strangers. It was a random request to add Celine, who’s from Hong Kong, as a friend. And she, lured by Shaozhen’s album of his cute white dog Yuki, Celine decided to click on Yes. Since Celine’s an air stewardress on Cathay Pacific and frequently pops into Singapore, the two finally met on one of her stop-overs, and the rest they say, is history.
It’s so wonderful to see how fate and strong perseverance has brought them thus far.
My relationship with the couple, you can say, has lasted for over a year, from the time Shaozhen ordered his ring and made the decision to propose, he flew me up to the Hong Kong airport where I ambushed behind a err.. tourist and a trolley for sneak shots of the momentous event. Then, through to shooting their pre-wedding/engagement and wedding in Singapore.
Shaozhen, I must say, you are such a rare romantic gem among the breed of guys here!

This was also my first time photographing a Hong-Kong style wedding, filled with so many beautiful touches of red and gold. Love =)

Celine’s Outfit: Chinese Kwa from Hong Kong
Venue: Swissotel The Stamford Hotel Suite

Symbols of Double Happiness all-round
Shoes! Of the finest embroidery.As a female photographer and bride-to-be, I feel, that a bride getting dressed is a very important part of the wedding, apart from all the other chinese customs that we observe. Afterall we have done our preparations for the day, ensuring all details fall into place. In Celine’s case, every little object, from her bathroom slippers, to the “Xi’ stickers on the wall, the sewing kit, the matrimonial candles, the wash basin and so on – all of these objects had been brought in from Hongkong, along with her entourage of cousins and aunties and uncles. It’s a rite of passage for the entire family, and a rare day in this modern world where we proudly have our Chinese custom on display. Celine dressing her brother as she gets made-upIt is traditional for the mother-of-the-bride to dress her daughter up. Somehow, observing the two of them, this also became a very emotional experience for me..
Celine with her sister Pinkie, and their mum

Alex and Pauline

mtan2 — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:13:50 +0000

At 12, entering River Valley High School for the first time alone to buy text books and school uniforms and holding tightly to the $100 (the biggest note you ever saw) your mother gave you, was a really scary experience.

I had just received my secondary school posting and was lost yet excited.

Then I met Pauline in front of the school auditorium. She was recruiting for the National Cadet Corps. I remember she had this smiley face and told me I could shoot air rifles if I joined the NCC. So, I signed-up. Pauline became in-charge of our Sec 1 platoon, and apart from shooting air rifles, we also got to shoot the M-16, climb some mountains, attend lots of horror camps and did a lot of push-ups in the scorching sun!

I lost touch with Pauline for years after she graduated. One day, I saw her on a poster at the MRT station and found out she was a fitness instructor at Amore. Then, a few years later, I received an email from her, to shoot her wedding. So, we met again, not in our awkward nurse-like school uniforms, but she as a bride, and me as her photog.

Incidentally, Pauline’s two sisters and her mother were all also from River Valley High. How lovely!

What came out strongly during the wedding was Pauline’s moving speech, thanking her mother, for being first and foremost, her best friend, sharing her joys and supporting her in every little way.

Some pictures to share.