NEWLY-WED Soon Kiat & Chermaine Ang CELEBRATION Banquet at Mandarin Oriental Singapore THEME Drama on the Orient PHOTOGRAPHY Kelvin Koh & Samantha Tay/Lightedpixels Photography VIDEOGRAPHY Substance Films GOWN & SUIT Amor Meus HAIR Ashley Salon MAKEUP Marjorie Teo-Aldridge FLOWERS Simply Flowers
The best way to start a work week is to hold a wedding where your groomsmen dress up as "bridesmates", and engage a cross- dressing couple who gamely warm up the aisle with a march-in of their own. For Chermaine Ang, it was just another day out of the theatre, with her zany actor friends livening up her rambunctious wedding.
"We surprised everybody with [Chua] Enlai and Sebastian [Tan] marching in wearing a ballgown and tuxedo. Some of my guests thought they had attended the wrong wedding," laughs Chermaine.
Held at Mandarin Oriental Singapore, the Monday evening soirée was a lyrical display of theatrical prowess. There was jubilation all around when guests, made up mostly of thespians and directors, came dressed in brightly coloured attire.
Earlier in the day, the couple said their vows at St John's Chapel. "Soon Kiat and I danced out of the church to the tune of Crazy Little Thing Called Love," she recalls. Music resonated throughout the rest of the day at the hotel where friends, and even the bride, belted out songs to an amused audience.
Here, Chermaine recalls the livelier aspects of her nuptials that made it a show-stopping day to remember.
Who helped you plan your wedding?
The wedding was like a mega production. Behind the scenes were myself, my husband, and my fabulous friends like Koh Chieng Mun, Sebastian, Enlai, Phin Wong, Denise Tan and more. The most important person was my cousin, who kept all my ang pows safely!
What special touches did you add to the evening's celebration?
Nothing beats having songs sung by your friends, and an imposter bride and groom as emcees for the event. Another nice touch was this beautiful ang pow box that was custom- made by my good friend, Darius Tan.
What was the biggest wedding challenge?
Making sure that my husband looked better than my "bridesmates", who were made to cross-dress as female anime characters. They even stole kisses from him!
What was unique about your wedding gown?
My church gown was specially designed with pockets to carry those ang pows! I had six gowns in total, but only wore four that day. Everyone loved the halter-necked cheongsam.
Did you have an emotional moment during the wedding?
Saying "I do" and putting on the rings is emotional. I was also very moved when my sister walked down the aisle with me in the morning. But the highlight was when I rewrote the lyrics to a song, "humorised" it, and sang it to my husband. He laughed all the way.
