This was more of a favour for an old friend rather than a paid assignment. My friendship with Annie span more than 8 years, and it was under rather unusual circumstances that got so close to her and her family, particularly her sister. So when she requested for my assistance to be her wedding photographer, I couldn’t resist.
My work as her photographer started even before her actual wedding day. She wanted me to prepare a slideshow to be played during her wedding dinner. It was supposed to be a secret. She explained to me that it meant a lot to her, and she specifically requested to play Jacky Cheung’s song, 有个人. She wanted to mean that in every stage of her life, there are friends, families and relatives who were there for her, and those people were the ones who helped shaped who she is now. And by making this slideshow, she is showing gratitude for them.
You may be interested to know what the slideshow is. I have uploaded it on Youtube, and I will show it to you later.
The actual day of their wedding is on 21st September 2009. It was a Monday, the Hari Raya holiday. Annie already pre-booked my time, so I didn’t go outstation that day, although Mei Fen did go back to her hometown that long weekend.
I have arrived at her brother’s house in Taman Puncak Kinrara at 6:30 am. The makeup artist lost her way, so I had to go out and lead her to the right place.
The groom arrived on time at 9 am. The usual games ensued. Grabbing coins from a bucket of ice, salt and sands. Eating bananas topped with cream. Brushing their teeth with wasabi-laced toothbrushes. The usual suspects.
The games went on without much of a hiccup. Hew finally got to his bride and they were off to Kajang where Hew’s parents awaits.
After that, we had a short but satisfying lunch. I made friends with Annie’s ji mui‘s. Can’t help it, they were a bunch of friendly and pretty girls! 😛
The day ended in Taman Saga, where their new home is. The last rituals of bed jumping and veil removal where finalized there.
Their dinner were held in Tai Thong restaurant near Leisure Mall. Initially Mei Fen was also invited, but since she went outstation, I went alone. Just as well, if Mei Fen came, Yan Yan would also come. And I wouldn’t be able to do much with that monkey around.
As the time to go onstage to do the yamseng was over, Annie delivered her speech. She originally had wanted her brother to say it, but she figured that it would be more meaningful to say it personally. And she did delivered it perfectly, her voice choked with emotion at the end of her speech. This was the slideshow that I talked about earlier.
It was interesting capturing the emotions of the people identifying themselves and others in the slideshow. Annie did a good job of coming with the idea!
This wedding proved to be one of my most memorable weddings I have ever had. It was not lavish, fanciful or too grand. It was very simple and practical indeed. But it was the feelings you get at the end of it all. Maybe it was the tears and the hugs. Maybe it’s the fact that I covered the event with mostly JPEG, a big personal achievement for myself. Or maybe it’s simply because it was the feeling that Annie recuperate the love that we all shared with her. Whatever it was, we all left with a warm feeling in our hearts. As one of her friends said in his Facebook status, “I had a very emotional wedding dinner over the weekend”.
So did I……..
EDIT 7 Nov 2009: Finally uploaded the wedding slideshow that I projected at the dinner. This was the pictures taken earlier on the morning ceremony:
More pictures here.